10 Most Bizarre Laws in Dubai You Need to Know Before Visiting

Did you know you can get into more legal trouble in Dubai just by eating the wrong thing at the wrong time or kissing in public than you would by rear-ending someone’s Rolls-Royce at a traffic light? Most tourists imagine Dubai as the glamorous city of gold and endless shopping malls, but beneath that ultra-modern sheen lies a legal code that leaves many expats and travelers wide-eyed. What’s truly wild is how shockingly everyday things back home could tangle you up in a legal mess here. Picture having to watch your mouth (literally) because even swearing is illegal – text messages included.

Public Behavior: Innocent Gestures That Aren’t So Innocent

Dubai is legendary for having a zero-tolerance policy for, well, almost everything. Holding hands with your partner as you stroll down Jumeirah Beach? That sweet romance could result in a fine or even a jail term if you’re not married. Public displays of affection like kissing are straight-up against the law, even for couples who’ve been together for years. There was a famous case of a British couple in 2010 jailed after a peck on the cheek. What feels innocent elsewhere can be misread as scandalous or ‘indecent’ here.

Think you’re safe updating your friends on WhatsApp that Dubai is “hot as hell”? Don’t be so sure. Swearing, including in private digital communications – WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, whatever – can result in a fine up to AED 250,000 (about $68,000 USD) and even deportation if caught. One unlucky Scottish man learned the hard way: his angry WhatsApp outburst led to a 3-week stay in jail. The same goes for showing the middle finger – even if you’re safely inside your car. Dash-cam footage can be used as evidence in court.

During Ramadan, it’s actually a prosecutable offense to eat, drink, or even chew gum in public during daylight hours if you’re not fasting. This includes tourists and non-Muslims, so you seriously can’t have that iced caramel latte outside a café until sunset. Security guards and police patrol the malls and streets for offenders.

Want to take a selfie with a local or snap that crazy gold vending machine at the mall? Think twice. Photographing other people without their permission is illegal, as is taking shots of government buildings, airports, some bridges and palaces. This law’s been enforced plenty of times, with photographers landed in jail or hit by huge fines. For influencers and YouTubers, it’s a real landmine – the UAE fines can stretch to AED 500,000 ($136,000 USD) if someone complains about being in your background.

Dress Code and Appearance: Style That Can Send You to Court

Think of Dubai like a glitzy version of downtown Miami, but swap beach bikinis for modest, conservative wear. Skimpy clothing is a huge no-go in public places. This doesn’t mean you need to cover your hair or face, but knees, shoulders, and cleavage should stay hidden in malls, government buildings, and even on public transport. Violators are often warned or fined; women especially are at higher risk if security is asked to step in.

Cross-dressing is also illegal. Men cannot wear women’s clothes, and vice versa. This isn’t limited to full outfits – even wearing nail polish or make-up as a man has reportedly landed people in hot water. Authorities strictly enforce male/female presentation, particularly during public events or holidays.

T-shirts with offensive slogans, even in English, are sometimes enough to cause trouble. Words or images that might reference drugs, sex, or politics can get you kicked out of malls or asked to change immediately. Tattoos are common among residents, but big, highly visible ink with offensive or religious imagery can bring police attention.

Since 2023, strict rules have even made headlines for policing new trends, like banning see-through masks or face shields in certain areas. Dubai’s fashion law is less about personal style and more about public respect, especially during religious events or if you’re anywhere near historical districts.

Food, Drink, and Substances: What You Can’t Eat, Drink, or Carry

Feeling frazzled after a shopping spree and dying for a beer? You’re not alone, but alcohol in *Dubai* is actually a regulated minefield. Only licensed venues like hotel bars and private clubs can serve it, and public drunkenness is a jailable offense. You also have to be over 21, and even then, you can’t walk down the street carrying a drink or staggering home after a night out. One glass too many and police could detain you until you sober up – and possibly fine you before letting you leave.

The craziest thing? Just having poppy seeds on your clothing, in your food, or stuck on your suitcase can earn you a drug conviction. Poppy seeds (yes, those harmless bagel toppings) are considered illegal drugs – one British tourist spent 4 years in prison after customs officers found them in his luggage. There’s also a zero-tolerance approach to drugs of any sort. Bringing in just a milligram of marijuana, prescription painkillers without a doctor’s note, or vape pens with CBD can lead to mandatory jail time.

Tough new rules against vaping inside malls, beaches, and parks came into force in 2025, and fines start at AED 2,000 (about $545 USD). Even e-cigarettes without nicotine can be confiscated. Tourists make headlines every year for not knowing which vitamins, supplements, or painkillers are banned. Check before you fly, because most cold medicines with codeine, even if bought legally overseas, are illegal here. There’s even a searchable Ministry of Health database to stay updated.

And when Ramadan swings around, don’t be tempted by the delicious street food scents before sunset. Eating or drinking in public (including a quick sip from a water bottle) between sunrise and sunset can result in fines, arrest, and even court hearings for non-Muslims. Restaurants often black out their windows and serve takeout only to keep diners out of legal trouble.

Technology, Privacy, and Swearing: Laws Your Phone Will Hate

Dubai may look like it’s all flying taxis and robot cops, but the laws on tech and privacy would make a Silicon Valley CEO have a meltdown. You’re technically banned from using WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, or Skype for regular conversations – yes, those apps are restricted or operate only in a very limited way. Using VPNs to get around it is illegal, although the law mostly targets businesses, not tourists. Still, the threat of a massive fine – like AED 1 million (about $272,000 USD) – scares off most residents from even trying.

Voicing complaints about Dubai, the government, or emirate leaders on social media is a definite no. Many expats have been detained, fined, or even deported for posts, comments, or memes deemed insulting. If you write a bad restaurant review or complain about a traffic cop online and someone flags it, you could have police at your hotel room.

Taking a photo of a car accident or filming a police officer is a criminal offense, even if you’re just doing it for insurance or a vlog. Journalists have faced arrest for filming at the airport, and several travelers have been detained just for snap-chatting a scuffle at the mall.

Even private messages aren’t private here. Swearing or using offensive emojis can land you in trouble, especially if the person on the other end reports you. The city’s digital laws are so strict that some embassies recommend using nothing but the most basic texts with locals. For added paranoia, authorities routinely conduct public awareness campaigns about digital privacy and cybercrimes – the law even reaches WhatsApp stickers!

Animals, Relationships, and Other Odd Laws That Surprise Visitors

You love your pets? So do I – nothing chills me out faster than Whiskers purring after a rough day. But Dubai’s animal laws may catch pet owners by surprise. Dogs must be leashed and muzzled in public at all times, and bringing anything larger than a small cat or dog into most public parks is usually against the rules. Exotic pets (think snakes, ferrets, monkeys) are strictly banned, unless registered with the government – and if your critter gets loose, you’re liable for any harm or chaos it causes.

Not married to your partner? Until 2020, unmarried couples couldn’t legally share a hotel room or flat. Newer federal reforms technically say it’s allowed, but some hotels, especially outside tourist zones, still turn away guests without a marriage certificate. Some landlords and private property owners follow the old rules. PDA rules – no kissing, hugging, or cuddling in public for all couples – haven’t changed, so keep love low-key. LGBT+ relationships are outright criminalized, and discussing or promoting same-sex relationships is prohibited by law and strictly censored online.

Bragging online about your wealth is also illegal since 2021 if it’s considered ‘excessive’ or seen as showing off. This covers everything from photos with piles of designer shopping bags to videos of supercar collections. It might sound wild, but the law is designed to clamp down on social media fraud, luxury scam artists, and so-called “influencer culture.”

Finally, watch out for random things like feeding pigeons (banned in many neighborhoods), spitting in public (fined), and chewing gum loudly on the metro. Even singing and dancing in public can need permits if it attracts a crowd.

So, Dubai dazzles you at every turn – but also demands a sharp eye for the legal traps hiding under its shiny surface. To stay safe, be discreet, stay respectful, double-check what you wear, eat, post, and say. That way, you won’t just avoid chaos – you’ll actually enjoy the magic that makes this city unlike anywhere else on Earth.