The Dubai laws that matter most for British tourists are the ones that differ sharply from the UK: some everyday UK medicines are controlled, any trace of illegal drugs in your system counts as possession, being drunk in public is an offence, and swearing or rude gestures (including online) can lead to arrest. Before you fly, read the current FCDO travel advice, check every medicine you pack and make sure your insurance covers the UAE.
This page covers the UK-specific side. For the full list of rules that apply to every nationality, see our general guide to Dubai laws tourists must know. For flights, money and trip costs, use the Dubai travel guide for British visitors.
| Current FCDO advice | Warns of the risk of Iranian strikes in the region; check GOV.UK before you travel |
|---|---|
| UK medicines | Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled; approval may be needed |
| Medicine quantity | Up to three months' supply with a prescription or medical report |
| Drugs | Minimum three months in prison or a fine of AED 20,000 to 100,000 for any amount |
| Alcohol | 21 and over, licensed venues only; public drunkenness is illegal |
| Overstaying | AED 50 fine per day |
| Emergency numbers | Police 999, ambulance 998, fire 997 |
What the FCDO currently says about the UAE
As of September 2026, the FCDO's UAE travel advice , following its 24 July 2026 update, warns of the risk of Iranian strikes in the region. A drone strike near Dubai International Airport in March 2026 stopped flights for more than seven hours, which shows how quickly plans can change.
- Read the latest advice on GOV.UK the week you travel, not when you book.
- Sign up for FCDO email alerts for the UAE.
- Check that your travel insurance is valid while FCDO warnings are in place and covers disruption.
- Keep your airline's app installed so you get cancellation notices directly.
Our travel insurance guide for Dubai explains what to look for in a policy.
Taking UK medicines into Dubai
This is the rule that catches out the most British travellers. The FCDO says some medicines prescribed or sold over the counter in the UK are treated as controlled substances in the UAE. Anything containing codeine, strong painkillers, sleeping tablets, ADHD medication and some anxiety medicines are the categories to check first.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) runs an online service for a permit to bring in medicines for personal use. The FCDO says applications are processed within five working days, so apply well before you fly.
- Quantity: no more than three months' supply for personal use.
- Paperwork: a prescription or medical report showing your name, the medicine, the dose, the length of treatment and the prescriber, issued within the last three months.
- Packaging: keep medicines in the original boxes, in your hand luggage.
- Online approval: apply through the MOHAP website for any controlled medicine.
Drugs: zero tolerance, including traces
According to the FCDO, possession of any amount of an illegal drug, including cannabis, carries a minimum three-month prison sentence or a fine of between AED 20,000 and AED 100,000. Trafficking carries much heavier sentences, up to the death penalty.
Two points matter especially for UK visitors. First, the UAE treats drugs found in your bloodstream as possession, so something taken before you left the UK can still lead to a charge. Second, CBD products and some "legal highs" sold openly in the UK are illegal in the UAE. The FCDO also warns that vape refills can contain banned ingredients such as CBD.
Not sure whether something in your luggage is allowed? Ask us before you pack, and we'll point you to the official source.
Ask about a ruleAlcohol and the UK holiday mindset
Alcohol is legal in Dubai for adults aged 21 and over in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. Tourists can also buy alcohol in licensed shops by showing their passport. What is illegal is drinking in a public place or being drunk in public, whatever you drank and wherever. Sharjah, the neighbouring emirate, bans alcohol completely.
Stag and hen groups are where British visitors most often run into trouble: a long brunch followed by a loud argument in a taxi queue can end in a police station. The UAE has a zero tolerance approach to drink-driving. Full detail on venues and purchasing is in our guide to Dubai alcohol laws.
The situations that cause most problems for Britons
The same types of incident appear again and again in FCDO advice and news reports involving UK nationals:
- Road rage and gestures: the FCDO warns that offensive gestures to other drivers can lead to fines, a jail sentence and possible deportation.
- Online posts and messages: swearing online is illegal, and posting photos of people without their consent or negative posts about a business can lead to complaints and prosecution.
- Public drunkenness: arrests often follow arguments that would be minor in the UK.
- Public affection: kissing in public can lead to arrest. Unmarried couples can share a hotel room, and the FCDO says sex between unmarried adults aged 18 or over is generally legal, but extramarital relationships can be prosecuted if a spouse complains.
- LGBT travellers: same-sex sexual activity is illegal and same-sex marriages are not recognised. See our LGBTQ+ travel guide for Dubai for practical advice.
- Overstaying: staying beyond your permitted stay costs AED 50 per day in fines.
Cross-dressing is also illegal, and the FCDO advises women to cover shoulders and knees in public places away from beaches and pools.
If you are arrested: what UK consular help covers
If you are detained, you can ask the authorities to tell the British Embassy. The FCDO's help for British nationals abroad is practical rather than legal.
| Can | Give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers and translators, contact family or friends for you, raise welfare concerns with the local authorities, and explain the local legal process in general terms |
|---|---|
| Cannot | Get you out of detention, interfere in UAE legal proceedings, pay fines or legal costs, or give legal advice |
| 24-hour FCDO line | 020 7008 5000 (from the UK); from abroad, use the British Embassy Abu Dhabi contact details on GOV.UK |
Save the emergency numbers before you land: police 999, ambulance 998 and fire 997. Our Dubai emergency numbers list has the rest.
Ramadan, briefly
The FCDO says that during Ramadan you should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during fasting hours, and should avoid loud music, dancing and swearing in public. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin in February, with exact dates depending on the moon sighting. Hotels and many restaurants continue to serve non-fasting guests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my UK prescription medicine to Dubai?
Usually yes, but some medicines prescribed or sold over the counter in the UK are controlled in the UAE. Carry the medicine in its original packaging with a recent prescription or medical report, keep to a maximum of three months' supply, and apply for UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention approval before you travel if the medicine is controlled.
What does the FCDO say about travel to the UAE right now?
As of September 2026, the FCDO travel advice for the UAE warns about the risk of Iranian strikes in the region. Read the latest version on GOV.UK before you travel, sign up for email alerts, and check that your travel insurance covers you.
What is the penalty for drugs in Dubai?
According to the FCDO, possession of any amount of an illegal drug, including cannabis, carries a minimum three-month prison sentence or a fine of AED 20,000 to AED 100,000. Drugs found in your bloodstream count as possession, and CBD products are illegal.
Can the British Embassy get me out of trouble in Dubai?
No. UK consular staff cannot interfere in UAE legal proceedings, pay fines or get you released. They can give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers, contact family for you and raise welfare concerns. The FCDO can be reached 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 from the UK.
Can unmarried British couples share a hotel room in Dubai?
Yes. Unmarried couples can share a room, and the FCDO says consensual sex between unmarried adults aged 18 or over is generally legal. Public displays of affection can still lead to arrest, and same-sex relationships remain illegal.
Is it illegal to swear or make rude gestures in Dubai?
Yes. Swearing and rude gestures are illegal in the UAE, including online. The FCDO warns that offensive gestures to other drivers can lead to fines, a jail sentence and possible deportation.
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