Rules & laws in Dubai
What visitors must know.
Alcohol: licensed venues only
Non-Muslim visitors aged 21 and over can drink in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in public places such as beaches, parks and streets, or being drunk in public, is illegal. There is zero tolerance for drink-driving. Alcohol is banned entirely in the emirate of Sharjah. Source: Law-firm and press summaries of UAE alcohol rules; check your government's travel advice, checked 2026-10-10
Check your medicines before you fly
The UAE has strict drug laws. Controlled medicines (for example some strong painkillers, sleeping pills, anxiety and ADHD medicines) need approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before you travel, applied for online. Some over-the-counter products, such as ones with codeine, are also controlled. Carry medicines in their original packaging with a prescription, and check the Ministry of Health list before travelling. Source: UAE Ministry of Health and press guides to carrying medicines, checked 2026-10-10
The free guide on this page is the same free tier you get in the app. The full app adds 14 more places, 5 more itineraries, 16 more tips and works offline, with one purchase, no ads and no login.
Get the Dubai guide on Google Play