40 Of The Strangest Rules People In Dubai Must Obey

Stunning beaches. Towering architecture. Year-round warm temperatures. Dubai seems like the perfect vacation destination. But if you’re heading there for the first time, you should know what you’re letting yourself in for. There are some strict – and sometimes bizarre – laws that you must obey as soon as your plane touches the tarmac. Don’t worry, though. We’ve compiled 40 of them to make sure you don’t get in trouble with the cops or land yourself with a hefty fine. You can thank us later. That’s if this doesn’t put you off your visit, of course!

40. Barred from the balcony

How often do you hang your wet towels and clothes out to dry on the balcony on vacation? It’s a pretty normal habit, but it’s one that’s forbidden in Dubai. Why, though? According to Emirates247.com, doing so could affect the beauty of the city and potentially create a fire hazard. Also, no satellite dishes or rubbish can be on the balconies, either. Ignore this, and a fine of up to $400 could be coming your way.

39. Keep your car clean

If it’s been a while since you took your car through a car wash, you may want to avoid Dubai. Yep, it turns out parking your dirty motor in a public place could see you slapped with a fine of nearly $140. And being stubborn won’t pay off in this situation. Authorities will impound your car if you don’t pay. It’s as simple as that.

38. You can’t wash a dirty car yourself in public

Picture the scene: you approach your car in Dubai and realize it’s a helluva lot dirtier than the other motors on the street. You spot a hose in a nearby garage and consider heading over there to give your car a quick clean. Think again! UAE law means that vehicle owners cannot clean their own cars in public. Instead, they must go to a licensed car wash with accredited workers. Well, at least you don’t have to do the chore yourself!

37. Be careful what you film

Do you like filming the sights when you’re abroad? Well, maybe think twice before hitting that record button if you’re in Dubai. In 2013 the authorities jailed and later released an American man who’d created a satiric video about youth culture in the city. And another individual was arrested that same year after sharing a clip he’d captured in which a member of the government could be seen getting violent with a motorist.

36. Avoiding showing the soles of your shoes

A curious no-no in Dubai and many other Arabic countries is displaying the soles of your footwear. Shoes are considered dirty. Who knows where they’ve been, right? And you should always take them off when going indoors, too! Unless you’re at the mall, of course. We think you’ll be okay there.

35. No eating or drinking on public transport

After wandering about in the oppressive heat of Dubai, the metro may seem like the perfect place for you to rest your legs and take a sip of your water. Well, don’t. According to The Culture Trip, consuming food or a beverage on public transport could see you pay nearly $40 in fines. That’s one way to keep public transport clean!

34. Left-hand law-breaking

If the Dubai authorities spot you eating with your left hand, you may well be punished for it. It sounds unusually strict, right? But there is a logic behind it. The left hand is seen as being dirty in Arab culture because people are meant to use it to wipe themselves in the bathroom. So, lefties, you best practice eating with your right hand before traveling!

33. Don’t play dress-up

While visiting Dubai, you might feel the urge to fit in by walking around in the local dress. But according to The Culture Trip, you really shouldn’t. It’s actually seen as disrespectful for foreigners to don such clothes. The only time you can do it is when you’re invited by an Emirati to do so – such as on a desert safari.

32. Do not engage in plane spotting

Some people can’t get enough of snapping pictures of planes. But plane spotting is not something you want to be doing if you’re in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates government does not take kindly to the pastime. When three friends from the U.K. were caught plane spotting near Fujairah International Airport, for instance, they were detained and accused of spying. Wowzers.

31. Don’t share a hotel with someone who’s not your spouse

Planning a vacation with your unmarried partner? Dubai may not be the place for you if you want to sleep in the same hotel room. That’s because it’s actually against the law to stay with a member of the opposite sex to whom you’re not married or closely related. You’ve been warned!

30. Don’t promote overseas charities

In 2017 an Australian man called Scott Richards found himself on the wrong side of the law in Dubai for the most curious of reasons. Unaware of laws prohibiting individuals from promoting overseas charities, he’d shared a Facebook post in support of an organization helping refugees in Afghanistan. Richards was later released from prison, but the lesson was surely learned!

29. Be careful where you sniffle

Having a runny nose isn’t a crime, is it? Well, in Dubai it’s probably worth keeping a tissue handy! In 2017 British woman Caren Harmon was accused of snorting illicit substances on her flight to Dubai. In reality, though, she was simply feeling a little sniffly and under the weather.

28. Check your notes

We all know using fake currency is a crime, but what if you handed it over by accident in Dubai? Billy Barclay from Edinburgh, Scotland, found out the hard way. His counterfeit money saw him restrained and marched off to jail as his wife and children looked on. It’s surely good practice, then, to check your notes carefully.

27. Dubai has a dim view of dissenters

People visiting Dubai need to be very careful about what they write or say about the UAE government. Yep, Amnesty International says that it is actually illegal to be critical of the authorities, its officials, the royals or the police. That kind of thing can get you arrested and in serious trouble, so watch out and keep your lips sealed.

26. Watch your air conditioning

Staying in a gorgeous private villa in Dubai sounds like the dream – until your air conditioning unit begins to leak, that is. Not only is it a nuisance, but you also have to face the full force of the law. Yep, accidental leakage of an air conditioning unit’s water – or any kind of H2O – on the pavement or roads can land you a fine of just over $25.

25. Don’t talk about Qatar

The UAE has its friends and enemies. And one of those foes in recent times has been Qatar. In June 2017 the government introduced a law that made it illegal to display sympathy for the rival Gulf nation online, in print or vocally. There was a slight thawing of relations in January 2021, though, so watch this space.

24. Cross-dressing is forbidden

Despite being a modern business and travel hub, the UAE is also very conservative. And with that conservatism comes a law against cross-dressing. Breaking it could see you fined or even put in jail, so it’s probably best just to wait until you get home. At least you’ll have more room in the suitcase now!

23. Avoid cat-calling

If you’re a woman, getting whistled at in the street is unfortunately still fairly common in western countries such as the United States and Britain. But it’s a lot rarer in Dubai. In fact, the Khaleej Times notes that any action that makes women feel uncomfortable – such as dropping phone numbers, long stares and cat-calls – can lead to a fine or even a prison sentence.

22. Don’t play loud music

Are you one of those people who likes to play your portable stereo on the beach or around the pool? If yes, know that this kind of thing is generally frowned upon in Dubai. And during Ramadan, it is actually a punishable crime. The city shuts all of its nightclubs and bars during this sacred month in the Islamic calendar, too. Best put those headphones on instead!

21. Avoid the ‘okay’ sign

You might think that throwing the “okay” sign with your hand to a local would be acceptable anywhere in the world. But not in Dubai. In Arabic culture, it apparently represents the evil eye. So if a restauranteur asks if your food is good, just say yes. Unless, of course, it’s not. In which case, we’re sure the chef will be more than obliging.

20. Dancing decree

Dancing is allowed in certain nightspots in Dubai, though there are rules that you must follow to avoid getting in trouble. The authorities do not take kindly to any kind of dirty or amorous dancing, for example. And they’ll punish those seen doing it. Of course, you are welcome to dance how you like in your hotel room or a private club. Just keep an eye on your moves in public bars!

19. Men-only greetings

Emirati people are very hospitable to guests, and they like to show off their culture. Personal greetings often include hugs, kisses and praises to Allah. But be warned: you shouldn’t shake an Emirati woman’s hand unless they hold out theirs. And unless she makes the first move, don’t reach out for a kiss or cuddle, either.

18. Try not to swear

If you are someone who curses a fair bit, then going to Dubai is probably a bad idea. That’s because swearing in public is a crime in the UAE. Article 373 of the UAE Penal Code asserts that it “disgraces the honor or the modesty” of a person. Cursing could, in fact, land you in prison for up to a year and with a fine for as much as $3,000.

17. Best to bypass the binoculars

Using binoculars on vacation allows you to see the sights from a whole new, up-close-and-personal perspective. But you should resist the urge to use them in Dubai, as there’s a good chance you’ll get in trouble. Yes, word is you need a license for them. And the same can be said for satellite phones, recording devices and powerful cameras, too.

16. Do not gossip online

We all like indulging in a bit of tittle-tattle now and then, right? It seems innocent enough, but gossiping in Dubai – particularly on social media – can see you locked up for three years and fined up to $275,000. So, be careful what you post.

15. Don’t call people over with your finger

Hand signals you may feel are harmless or even complimentary may be quite insulting in Dubai. Take beckoning someone with your finger, for instance. This is offensive to Emirati Arabs because they use the gesture to get their dog’s attention.

14. Kissing is off limits

Dubai may not be the best destination for honeymooners. And that’s because public displays of affection – from kissing to holding hands – are simply not allowed. When two British friends allegedly kissed while dining out back in 2010, they were thrown in jail for a month.

13. Inadvertent physical contact can lead to jail time

We’ve all been there: you’re in a packed bar, and your drink is full to the brim and at risk of spilling. So, you tap the person nearby who looks like they may knock it over. This is exactly what happened to Scottish man Jamie Harron while in Dubai in 2017. He ended up spending three months in jail for “public indecency” and even lost his job in the process.

12. Flip the bird at your own risk

Flipping the bird or making a known obscene gesture is not a pleasant thing to do anywhere. But it’s actually against the law in Dubai. Yep, sticking your middle finger up at someone can land you in jail, as U.K. citizen Jamil Ahmed Mukadam discovered back in 2017. He apparently flipped the bird at a driver tailgating his hire car. Whoops!

11. Don’t get drunk and disorderly

Obviously, being drunk and disorderly in any country is not a good idea. But in Dubai, the behavior is deemed to be extremely offensive – particularly given that Emirati locals don’t drink. Tipsy behavior can land you in prison here, so be careful.

10. Never check someone else’s phone

Have you ever sneakily checked your partner’s phone to see what they’re up to? Well, we wouldn’t recommend doing so in Dubai, as the UAE has very stringent privacy laws. And we’re not just saying that. In 2018 a British woman was jailed for three months after copying data from her husband’s phone without his consent or knowledge.

9. Flirting is forbidden

We know what you’re thinking: there’s nothing wrong with a bit of innocent flirting to make the day more interesting. Nuh-uh. Not in Dubai. Anyone engaging in this behavior could land themselves in a sticky situation. Flirting is viewed as disrespecting women here. And according to lawyer Ashish Mehta, you could be looking at a year’s jail time, deportation or a heavy fine.

8. Photographing people without their permission is prohibited

We all love taking photos on vacation, right? The pictures capture memories of special times with family and friends. Though in Dubai you have to be very careful not to snap people without their consent. Reports say lots of men have been taken into custody for allegedly photographing women on the beach. And the fines are substantial.

7. Be careful with the pictures you post online

Social media is the best place to have a grumble – especially if you’ve got a photo to help back up your point. Though this is not the done thing in Dubai. When an Australian woman shared a picture of someone parked across a disabled parking space back in 2015, the strict UAE cybercrime laws meant that she was later arrested. Best to keep your complaints to yourself, then. You’ve been warned!

6. Avoid giving the thumbs up

Giving the thumbs up can never be offensive, can it? Erm, yes it can, actually. In Dubai and other parts of the Arab world, it seems the gesture is roughly the equivalent of flipping the bird. So, if you stand on the road with your thumb up, you’ll probably get more than a free ride – and we don’t mean in a good way.

5. Beware of your underwear

Conservatism in the UAE means the people are very strict about dressing modestly. Visitors must be sure to cover both the tops of their legs and arms. And your underwear should never be on show, either. Bagging up some lightweight trousers and shirts before your visit would be a very good idea.

4. Don’t flaunt what you eat during Ramadan

You might be surprised to learn that eating and drinking in public could land you in prison in the UAE. Okay, it’s a bit more complicated than that. The law only applies during the month of Ramadan, when locals fast from dawn until dusk. Don’t worry, though. No one’s going to arrest you if you devour your sandwich in the comfort of your hotel room.

3. Watch what you type

Swearing on messaging platforms in Dubai could land you in pretty hot water. A British woman discovered this in 2021 after cursing at her flatmate during a WhatsApp conversation. She was later put into custody after trying to board a flight home. Beware: defaming someone on a social media platform can lead to fines of up to nearly $140,000 or a year in prison. Neither sounds like an option you’d want to face!

2. Poppy-seed snacks are a big no

You won’t find your favorite poppy-seed-covered bagel in Dubai, that’s for sure! The little seeds are seriously frowned upon in the UAE, as they originate from heroin and opium. If you bring so much as one into the country, you could pay for it in prison time. In the past, one poor Swiss man was reportedly jailed for four years on drug possession charges after being found with four poppy seeds from a bagel he had eaten on his travels.

1. Be careful you don’t have something illegal stuck to your shoe

Now, we’ve all stood on something by mistake – from dog dirt to chewing gum. But visitors to Dubai need to be extra careful of what they step on. Take British tourist Keith Brown, for instance. BBC News notes that he received a four-year jail sentence after customs officials found 0.003 grams of marijuana stuck to his shoe. And, no, that’s not a typo.