With luxurious five-star resorts and year-round sunshine, it’s not hard to see why Dubai attracted 18.72 million international visitors in 2024 alone.
But in the UAE, there are strict rules to follow, including dressing modestly, refraining from PDA (aside from holding hands), and not getting drunk in public.
More serious, it is illegal to have sex with anyone under the age of 18, an offense for which British teenager Marcus Fakana was jailed while on vacation in the United Arab Emirates in September 2024.
When he was 18, he had a holiday romance with a 17-year-old British girl and was only released from prison in July this year.
We must therefore respect and familiarize ourselves with the laws and customs of Dubai.
Much of this is now common knowledge, but some lesser-known laws might still surprise you, as TikTok and Dubai resident Tetiana Skoryna recently revealed.
Sign up for The Getaway newsletter
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Register here.
What you can and can’t do in Dubai
Take random photos
You may want to be careful about what vacation photos you take when you’re out in public, as taking a photo of someone without their consent could result in a hefty fine or jail time.
This is especially true for people who take photos and post them on social media, as this would be considered a violation of privacy.
Tetiana says this could land you a fine of between £31,000 and £103,000, depending on the seriousness of the offence. You can even get six months in prison.
Authorities also warn against taking photos of planes in the UAE without permission, so plane spotting is also illegal. Some government buildings and military installations also cannot be depicted.
Sleeping in public
If you’re ever tempted to fall asleep on a beach or in a park in Dubai, you might want to think twice.
This could land you a £62 fine, all for the sake of sleeping.
Now, this obviously doesn’t apply to dozing on a lounge chair by the pool or ocean at your resort during the day, so don’t panic.
But it’s worth keeping in mind.
Litter
Talk about a law that should be introduced absolutely everywhere. Nobody likes litter bugs and Dubai has a zero tolerance policy towards them.
If you’re tempted to throw that empty water bottle on the floor or subtly drop a chocolate wrapper, think again.
Tetiana says this will rightly cost you a £103 fine, so wait until you find a bin.
Cross the road
As Brits, we might be tempted to cross the road between traffic jams, as we tend to do on the busy streets of London, but that’s a no-no in Dubai.
Known as jaywalking, crossing a street where there is no designated crosswalk is not acceptable.
If you are spotted doing this you will be fined £82, for a short walk to a level crossing.
Wash your car
It’s a little more unusual here, but local Tetiana explains that washing your car in public is against the rules.
You might think that Dubai would be more concerned with having clean, presentable cars on its roads, but you’ll have to have them washed privately.
If you fail to do so, you could face a further fine of £103. It’s not worth it.
Do you have a story to share?
Contact us by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: TikTok star HSTikkyTokky spared jail after crashing McLaren and avoiding court
MORE: The Everyday Act That Seems Cute But Could Mean ‘Doom and Despair’ in a Relationship
MORE: Food influencer shot dead by police after ‘charging with a knife’ at officers
