Law in Dubai - what are the prison sentences for?

Safety in Dubai

Safety on holiday is very important. Not many people decide to spend their holidays in a place where comfort and a sense of security are not high. Dubai can scare some people with its cultural differences, religion or unfamiliarity with local life. Are you wondering if Dubai is safe? According to the latest rankings, Dubai is among the top 10 safest cities in the world! It is the perfect holiday destination for families with children, groups of friends and solo travellers. In addition to Dubai, the neighbouring city of Ajman and the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, are also on the list of safest cities.

Safety in Dubai is at the highest level. The level of common crime is zero, so you don't have to worry about your wallet or phone - Dubai is safe. The level of safety is not the only reason to fly to Dubai for your holiday. Great attractions in Dubai, such as the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa, the world's largest shopping centre Dubai Mall, or Desert Safaris guarantee an unforgettable holiday. Book the best attractions and accommodation in Dubai with Two Continents and choose a safe, family holiday in the Middle East.

The level of safety in Dubai is not a mystery and is the result of a well-functioning system, not only in the city but also in the whole country. The law in the United Arab Emirates is strict towards criminals, especially when it comes to UAE citizens. The penalties for breaking the law in Dubai vary depending on the offence and the offender: classic civil law applies to tourists and foreigners. Sharia law in Dubai only applies to Muslim citizens and is very liberal compared to other countries with a predominantly Islamic influence. What are the penalties for breaking the law in Dubai? Prison or severe financial penalties, which effectively deter criminals.

What behaviour is prohibited in Dubai?

The criminal law in Dubai has certain rights and prohibitions that you should keep in mind as a tourist in Dubai. Behaviour prohibited in Dubai is no different from that which is prohibited in Europe - you have nothing to worry about being punished for normal behaviour. What behaviour is punishable in Dubai? First and foremost, behaviour that is offensive to common decency and harmful to others.

In Dubai, they care a lot about the quality of life of residents and the safety of tourists, so any threat to another person, dangerous or rude behaviour is prohibited. What legal rules apply to tourists in Dubai? Tourists are subject to the same laws as non-Muslim residents, i.e. civil law. Let's ask ourselves two key questions: What behaviour can be considered a crime in Dubai? What behaviour is prohibited and: What crimes are considered serious in Dubai?

• Excessive public displays of affection: in Dubai, it is forbidden to show excessive public displays of affection towards your partner, such as passionate kisses or displays of affection that go beyond a simple hug. This behaviour is inappropriate and may draw the attention of the security services, who will ask you to stop.
• Drinking alcohol in public: Alcohol may only be consumed in licensed premises such as hotels, bars and selected restaurants or in your own apartment/hotel room. Drinking alcohol in public places is strictly prohibited.
• Possession and consumption of drugs: The law in Dubai is very strict even for small amounts of drugs. Their possession and consumption is completely prohibited throughout the United Arab Emirates.
• Photographing without permission: Taking photos of people without their explicit permission, especially women, can be seen as a violation of privacy and is prohibited. This does not apply to taking random photos of attractions, but only to taking special and conspicuous photos of specific people. It is also prohibited to take photos of government buildings, military facilities and critical infrastructure such as airports or police stations.
• Offending Islam and its symbols: religion is one of the key elements of Dubai's culture, therefore any comments, gestures or actions offensive to Islam, its symbols, the Prophet Mohammed or the holy books can lead to legal problems. This should be kept in mind both in conversations and in publications on social media.
• Vulgar gestures and swearing: all forms of aggression or vulgarity are prohibited in speech and gestures. The use of swear words, rude gestures (such as the middle finger), or even arguments in public places can result in a fine or even deportation in more serious cases.
• Dress code and behaviour on beaches: on the beach, it is important to remember to dress appropriately: topless sunbathing and overly skimpy swimwear (exposing entire body parts) are prohibited. Loud behaviour on the beach is also prohibited.
• Dress code for men and women: it is forbidden to wear offensive, controversial or vulgar clothing. In such situations, the person wearing such clothing is usually asked to change.

Read the full list of prohibitions in Dubai - What are the prohibitions in Dubai? Also take a look at the website of our real estate agency Two Continents, where you will find a flat for investment or a place to move to Dubai!

Crimes that can be punished with prison in Dubai

Most of the behaviours that we have already mentioned do not have serious legal consequences if they are only committed to a minor degree. However, this is not the case for some more serious offences or serious violations. In the case of a minor offence or violation, e.g. accidentally wearing a T-shirt that is considered offensive, you may be asked to change your outfit or be fined, e.g. for excessive displays of affection. In more serious cases, such as public drinking and resisting arrest, you could face deportation to or imprisonment in prison. What are the penalties for prison in Dubai? What offences in Dubai can result in imprisonment?

In Dubai, you can be imprisoned for crimes such as: crimes involving violence or directed towards another person, such as assault, kidnapping, robbery, rape or murder, crimes against property, such as theft, burglary, arson or embezzlement of someone else's money, financial crimes, such as fraud or money laundering, cyber crime, such as theft of sensitive data, identity theft or online fraud, drug-related offences, such as possession, use or dealing of drugs, or offences that endanger the lives of other road users, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Drink-related offences in Dubai

What are the penalties for drinking in Dubai? The law in Dubai clearly states that it is prohibited to consume alcohol in public places, to disturb public order and to be in public places while clearly under the influence of alcohol, as well as to drive a car while under the influence of alcohol. Violations of these laws can result in fines, deportation and even prison sentences. This does not mean that you cannot drink alcohol in Dubai! Of course you can, and you will find many shops selling alcohol in Dubai (these shops only sell alcohol). You can find out more about alcohol in Dubai here: Alcohol in Dubai - where to buy and prices.

Most common crimes in Dubai - statistics

To get an accurate picture of crime and punishment in Dubai, let's take a look at the statistics of the most common crimes committed in Dubai. The statistics are from the Dubai Police open data for 2024:

• Drug crimes: 10.7 per hundred thousand inhabitants.
• Theft: 7.6 per hundred thousand inhabitants.
• Robbery: 4.5 per hundred thousand inhabitants.
• Burglary: 4.3 per hundred thousand inhabitants.
• Assault: 1.5 per hundred thousand inhabitants.

The most common crimes in Dubai in 2024 were drug-related, as can be seen from the high percentage of foiled drug smuggling attempts at Dubai airport. The rest of the statistics only show how safe a place Dubai is, with crime statistics several times lower than in Europe.

What are the prison sentences for crimes in Dubai?

Legal restrictions in Dubai provide for prison sentences for serious crimes. The length of imprisonment depends on the offence committed and the court's assessment. How many years can you go to prison in Dubai for serious crimes? For minor offences, the prison sentence is between 24 hours and 10 days, misdemeanours are punished with imprisonment for a period of one month to three years, and crimes are punished with imprisonment for three years, even up to life imprisonment or the death penalty for very serious crimes (such as murder with particular cruelty).

Dubai and safety - summary

Dubai and a safe holiday are synonymous, which will certainly guarantee you and your family an unforgettable holiday. Thanks to this article, you can get to know Dubai better - the legal rules for tourists are no different from the regulations in other exotic places, and are even less strict. The legal obligations of tourists in Dubai only consist of respecting the local culture and behaving decently, and the prohibitions in Dubai sanction crimes and dangerous behaviour, such as binge drinking or breaking local law. The status of one of the safest cities in the world and low crime rates reassure tourists that Dubai is a safe choice for a holiday. During your holiday, you may ask yourself: What can I do to avoid going to prison in Dubai? What can I do to avoid legal problems in Dubai? Read our guide and follow the local laws.

Questions and answers (FAQ)

• What can you go to prison for in Dubai?

Prison sentences in Dubai are given for minor offences, misdemeanours and crimes. You can be sent to prison for offences such as theft, drink driving, assault, inciting religious or racial hatred, drug smuggling or possession, and for crimes such as murder.

• What is illegal for tourists in Dubai?

Legal prohibitions in Dubai sanction illegal acts for tourists, including drinking alcohol in public places and disturbing public order while under the influence of alcohol, showing excessive affection for a partner in an indecent manner, photographing strategic buildings, as well as, for example, flying a drone without permission.

• Can you go to prison for drinking alcohol in Dubai?

The laws in Dubai state that you cannot go to prison for drinking alcohol. If you drink alcohol in a place specifically designated for this purpose, e.g. a bar, restaurant or your own flat, you will not be in any danger. You can be sent to prison for driving under the influence of alcohol, drinking alcohol in public places, as well as being in a clearly intoxicated state in public places and disturbing the peace.