Dubai Laws for Tourists: Your Complete Guide to Staying Safe and Legal

• Dubai's laws prioritise public order and cultural values, so showing respect keeps you out of trouble. 
• Avoid showing any form of Public Displays of Affection (PDA), including kissing, hugging, or even holding hands, as it can lead to fines. 
• Alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed venues like hotels, bars, and restaurants. 
• Taking photos of people, government buildings, or accidents without permission can result in hefty fines and deportation.
• If you are visiting during the holy month of Ramadan, please refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public. 
• Any Social media posts, photos, and even private messages can lead to serious legal consequences. 

Dubai's legal system isn't just about rules, it's about making sure everyone feels safe and respected. These rules and regulations make Dubai clean, peaceful, and amiable to visitors. The best part of Dubai is that the same set of rules applies to all people, including residents and tourists. That is why Dubai appears to be a safe and well-organised place.

Dubai is super welcoming, but there are some important things to remember when you're out and about.

Watch Your Words: 

Don’t use curse words publicly in Dubai. Saying bad words on the street, even as a joke, may cost you up to AED 10,000 or a prison sentence. The UAE laws consider it a serious offence, particularly when targeted at another individual. Article 373 of the UAE Penal Code considers public swearing as "disgracing the honour or modesty" of others.

Smart tip: This includes your texts and social media posts, too. Even if you think nobody's watching, someone might see what you write online.

Check on Gestures: 

Making rude gestures like showing the middle finger is not allowed at all and may cause immediate deportation.

Tips: If you get angry, take a deep breath and count numbers

Here's where things get interesting, and where many tourists accidentally get into trouble. Dubai has comprehensive cybercrime laws that affect everything you do online.

Social Media Smart Practices 

The rules must be observed everywhere, even on social media. The Facebook post and Instagram photos must be under Dubai laws. In case of violation, you may be fined a maximum of 250,000 dirhams or deported immediately. To avoid these, you must not do these: 

• Avoid using bad words in your posts.
• Avoid posting images and emoticons which are objectionable.
• Never mention mean things about Dubai and its leaders.
• Don’t post disrespectful things.

Example: A customer once complained about using bad words and rude emoticons in his hotel. Complaining became a huge problem that cost the hotel thousands of dollars.

Importance of Privacy

Dubai is very strict with privacy policies. You can’t peek at other phones, and you can’t even post another person's photos or videos without consent.

Tip: Even when you borrow a phone, it is always courteous to ask and only upload photos of others when they consent to it.

Dubai is a beautiful city, and with iconic buildings like Burj Khalifa, it is an ideal spot for photography, but be mindful of what you can photograph.

Here is what you can’t photograph, as it can result in fines from 50,000 to 3 million dirhams: 

• Government buildings and police stations
• Military buildings and royal palaces
• Car accidents or emergencies
• Airport security areas
• People without asking them first

Tips: When in doubt, just ask! You generally find that most people are willing to be in your pictures when you take them pleasantly.

Sharing Photos Online

Even in a photo which is permissible, you should be cautious when posting a photo on the Internet. Stay away from posting photos that portray Dubai in a negative way or photos that can offend another person's sensibilities.

Dubai laws for visitors are surely strange. The United Arab Emirates is very strict about the protection of the privacy of its citizens. So, taking pictures in the UAE can be an easy and risky business. Additionally, there is a ban against clicking snaps of military buildings, courts and palaces. You are not allowed to take any photos of road accidents you see on your way, either. If any of those pictures are shared publicly or posted online, you will have to pay between 50,000 and 3 million dirhams as a fine and be at risk of deportation. You are not allowed to click and share photos on social media when you see aviation collisions, either.

The strangest of all Dubai laws for tourists to remember is to never spread rumours. Gossiping on social media, especially, can land you in jail for 2 years, and you’ll have to pay a fine anywhere from AED 100,000 to 200,000. Aiming to punish those who “damage the social peace and public order” and punish anyone threatening to disrupt “national peace.” Hence, the UAE has very stringent laws about talking or spreading the news on social media.

This was done after the 2016 floods, after videos and photos of the damage done by the heavy downpour and the strong blowing winds were sent around widely shared on social media. These were condemned as mere rumours, and it was announced that addressing the storm and sending negative photos and comments online was against the law.

While riding around in a dirty car is a strange offence to remember, according to the rules in Dubai for tourists. Washing your car in a bad way can get you into trouble, too. You are not allowed to wash your car in residential areas or hire workers to wash your car. These informal car washes “damage the city’s beautiful image” and are also considered a hazard to the environment.

It might result in a fine of about AED 500 to 1,000. It is due to the filthy water contaminating the roads and sewers. Rather, you have to take your car to professional services, such as those at petrol bunks and the car parking areas of shopping centres. Driving in Dubai has a different set of rules and regulations.

This is a serious crime in the UAE, as the United Arab Emirates is serious about protecting the privacy of its citizens. Anyone taking pictures and also circulating or posting them on online platforms is committing a huge crime as per the cyber laws. This Dubai law for tourists must be remembered at all times. The crime can lead to a fine of up to 500,000 dirhams and a jail sentence of six months for the crime. The sentence can also turn much harsher or lead to deportation from the country for tourists.

Dubai has an excellent, world-class public transportation system with very distinct regulations, which visitors must obey. Not eating or drinking on public transport, like the metro, bus, or crossing, can save you from huge fines of about 100 dirhams per violation.

Caution for car owners

If your car is visibly dirty, it can lead to fines since they are perceived to cause harm to the image of Dubai. However, the interesting thing is that you can’t also wash your car just anywhere, like in residential places or using car wash services on the streets. You can use car wash services at petrol stations or shopping centres. 

Traffic Rules

The city of Dubai has strict traffic rules. For every traffic rule violation, you will get a black point. If your black point rises to 24, the traffic police have full authority to revoke your driver’s license and ban you from driving for a year.

Dubai has particular laws regarding sharing information and passing it on social media. Content that may influence social peace and public order is heavily censored by the government.

The Rumour Rule: Spreading fake and known rumours on social media will lead to imprisonment of up to 3 years and fines of 500,000 Dirhams.
Tips: Just post good photos and share good experiences about your vacation. Do not engage in local politics or anything considered a criticism of the UAE.

Government Sources

For current legal information, consult these official channels:

• UAE Government Portal: u.ae
• Dubai Municipality: dm.gov.ae
• UAE Embassy in your home country
• Dubai Tourism Authority: visitdubai.com

Emergency Contacts

• Police Emergency: 999
• Tourist Police: 901
• Indian Embassy UAE: +971-4-397-1222
• Emergency Medical Services: 998

Dubai’s laws for tourists are based on the principle of respect and tradition. Wearing modest clothes and being cautious in your actions in the streets will keep you out of trouble and will also encourage respect for the local culture. Understanding these rules will allow you to have an enjoyable, memorable visit whilst basking in the warmth and hospitality of this city. So pack your bags and plan a Dubai trip with Pickyourtrail by checking out the best Dubai tour packages. 

Dubai is an amazing place where innovation and tradition collide, providing travellers with life-changing experiences ranging from world-class events and breathtaking architecture to opulent shopping and desert safaris. Laws and cultural standards are taken very seriously, and even unintended violations can have grave consequences. It is your duty as a visitor to be aware of and considerate of Dubai's tourism regulations, both in person and online. In addition to providing you with legal protection, knowing and following these rules demonstrates respect for a nation that takes pride in its safety, friendliness, and order. Make the most of your time by selecting our Dubai tour packages. Stay informed, travel safe, and make memories that last.