Arab Emirates rules for visiting the country. Political situation in the United Arab Emirates. Souvenirs and shopping

For tourists visiting the UAE, the authorities have issued a brochure - a code of conduct for tourists. The brochure is available in 12 languages. The UAE police hand out a brochure to everyone arriving in the country. The tourist code of conduct includes 14 rules of conduct:

1. The tourist must be polite with local population and don't argue with the cops.
2. A tourist should not walk in public places in clothes that expose their shoulders, stomach and back, should not walk in very short shorts. The length of the skirt should be below the knees. You can not wear transparent clothes.
3. A tourist should not visit public places in bathing clothes, except sea ​​beaches. For the appearance of a woman on the beach in overly revealing outfits, an arrest may follow.
4. A tourist must behave with dignity in public places. Show respect for elders, women and children. Obscene speech and any vulgarity, even in the form of humor, are prohibited.
5. The tourist must in the holy month of Ramadan outside resort areas refrain not only from drinking alcohol, but also from eating and drinking during the daytime.
6. Tourists are advised not to carry large amounts of cash and keep money on plastic cards.
7. Tourists should not disturb people in public places for no reason.
8. Tourists must comply with the rules of conduct. Extramarital affairs are criminalized in the UAE. A foreign woman for the birth of an illegitimate child can be punished by a prison term. Every hospital has a police force.
9. Non-Muslim tourists should not visit mosques.
10. You can take pictures of men and women only with their permission. Tourists are not allowed to take pictures of praying people. Praying people should not be disturbed.
11. In public places, even spouses cannot kiss and you cannot walk holding hands (except for legal spouses).
12. A tourist should know that tourists are not being treated favorably. Lack of knowledge of the laws and rules of conduct does not exempt from responsibility.
13. In the Emirate of Sharjah, dry law is always in force, for everyone and anywhere.
14. Tourists should not litter on the streets.

A few examples of penalties for violating UAE laws:
- for obscene speech, a person can be imprisoned for 7 years,
- for being in overly revealing swimsuits, even on purely female beaches, leads to at least a large fine,
- a fine for abandoned garbage 500 dirhams (about $ 140),
- disrespectful attitude towards a woman is punishable by a large fine and imprisonment,
- the use or possession of drugs is punishable by a 5-year prison term,
- importation and distribution of narcotic drugs is punishable death penalty,
- in case of any suspicion of drinking alcohol (being in a public place in a drunken place), the police are called. In the future, a compulsory examination is carried out with punishment in the form of a prison sentence or expulsion from the country with a ban on visiting the UAE in the future.

United Arab Emirates - unusual country attracting tourists. Dubai enjoys well-deserved popularity, which offers vacationers not only the cleanest beaches but also luxurious entertainment and shopping complexes. Rest will not be spoiled if you follow certain rules of conduct for tourists in Dubai. For violation of these simple rules may be fined or even arrested. Therefore, tourists before traveling to the United Arab Emirates need to find out what these rules of conduct prohibit.

United Arab Emirates for tourists - etiquette in the Emirates

In the UAE, as in other Muslim countries, a number of prohibitive rules have been adopted related to the clothing and behavior of tourists on the beach and in the city. Before the trip, it is useful to learn how to communicate with local residents, get acquainted with the restrictions for Europeans in Ramadan, the month of obligatory fasting for Muslims. A tourist should inquire about the attitude towards alcohol and drugs in the UAE. Holidays in Dubai will be calm and comfortable if you respect the customs of this country and do not forget about certain things.

It is forbidden to wear overly revealing clothes

The UAE is a Muslim country with strict religious norms. Tourists in the Emirates are expected to behave decently, so it is necessary to adhere to certain rules when choosing clothes.

Most of the prohibitions are related to. For local women in the UAE, there is a ban on defiant, transparent, tight-fitting clothing, these rules of conduct apply to tourists as well.

It is indecent to show naked arms and legs, shoulders and stomach. Clothing should be loose, completely covering the body from the neck to the knees.

In Dubai, the coastline, on which the city beaches are located, stretches for several kilometers. Everywhere showers, changing rooms, toilets. The place is crowded. During a holiday in Dubai, you can not sunbathe and swim naked and topless. On some municipal beaches women are not allowed to appear in bathing suits. But on the beach of the hotel, tourists can wear everything: swimwear, pareos, miniskirts, shorts.

Show respect for local residents, do not appear on the streets of the city in clothes for the beach or sports. For shopping, entertainment centers you need to choose more modest clothes. This may be a special local costume - an abaya that hides the whole body. Men also do not need to bare their shoulders and knees; breeches and T-shirts without defiant inscriptions and drawings are suitable for the city. Violators of these rules are waiting for impressive fines, and in exceptional cases - arrest.

It is forbidden to show feelings in public

In the United Arab Emirates, there is a ban on the manifestation of one's feelings in public. Dubai is a progressive emirate, so it does not have such strict rules. Often they turn a blind eye to the fact that a married couple walks holding hands. But with those tourists who cannot contain their feelings and begin to hug and kiss in public, the police will talk about violations of public morality. Repeated notice may result in a fine.

Strict punishment under the law of the country follows the cohabitation of a man with a man. Therefore, in Dubai, for the public manifestation of homosexual feelings, you can earn a prison term of up to 10 years.

Alcohol and everything related to it

Drinking alcohol in the emirate of Sharjah is strictly prohibited. Tourists in Dubai can afford to drink in a hotel room, restaurant or bar. Drinking drinks in other places is prohibited.

You should keep yourself in hand. For scandalous behavior while intoxicated, severe punishment follows - an impressive fine. Tourists are not allowed to appear on the street drunk.

In the UAE, you cannot freely buy alcohol in a store. The sale of alcohol is prohibited in public places; in specialized stores, alcoholic beverages can only be purchased by holders of a special license, which is not available to tourists. It remains to use the services that have an appropriate license in the Emirates for the sale of alcohol. And also buy alcohol at inflated prices in bars. If you drive while intoxicated, then in the UAE you will be sentenced to a large fine or a month in prison.

It is forbidden to use drugs

The most stringent rules of conduct for tourists who come to the United Arab Emirates relate to the sale, purchase and use of drugs.

One suspicion of the distribution of narcotic drugs is enough for a death sentence. In the UAE, even medicines prescribed by a doctor or confectionery poppy are equated to drugs.

Tourists should refrain from smoking in public places. The hotels have special areas for smokers with warning signs. You can stay both on the floor for smokers and non-smokers.

Communication with local residents

It is important for tourists visiting the UAE to remember that in a Muslim country it is considered an insult to stare at local women. An attempt to speak or joke with a Muslim woman will result in a very large fine.

When talking with a local man, a neutral topic is chosen, for example, you can ask about his family. When meeting a Muslim, you need to give your right hand and be sure to look intently into the eyes. If it is customary to shake hands with a man, then this is categorically unacceptable with a local woman.

When communicating with local residents, the tourist must remain respectful and polite. You should not touch the interlocutor with your hands, because this may offend a resident of the United Arab Emirates.

It is forbidden to take pictures in the UAE

You need to be careful about taking pictures in the UAE. Not all sights can be freely filmed on camera. Photographing is considered a sin by some believers. Therefore, you should not photograph local men without warning, it is better to first ask a Muslim for permission.

Filming Muslim women on camera is offensive to local residents; for a photo of a woman, you can end up in prison for 3 days. Tourists taking pictures in the market or in the store need to be careful not to accidentally get a local woman in the frame.

In Ramadan

An important religious holiday in the United Arab Emirates is the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, the behavior of tourists is subject to even stricter rules, especially Sharjah, the most conservative emirate in the UAE. In this state, Muslim holidays are celebrated with particular rigor, without making any concessions to tourists.

In Ramadan, Muslims drink and eat only after sunset. Tourists are also prohibited from drinking water or eating food in public places. A strict "dry law" is introduced, entertainment establishments and shops open only at night. Disrespect for religious customs is punishable by a fine or arrest.

In public transport

It is necessary to know that both local residents and tourists in the subway, buses or taxis in the UAE chewing gum is forbidden and also eat and drink.

Men are not allowed to enter carriages for women with small children. These special carriages are marked with pink plates. A married couple of tourists for a trip can choose a shared car.

Tourists should not speak loudly on the phone while traveling in public transport. Each violation of the rules in the UAE is accompanied by significant fines.

Profanity and jokes

Tourists vacationing in the UAE must refrain from rude statements, insults towards local residents. Arabs understand English well, so they will be able to recognize profanity. For obscene gestures and obscene language, you can get a serious prison term of up to 7 years.

We keep cleanliness

In the UAE, cleanliness and order are carefully monitored. Tourists are expected to respect local traditions. A large fine for garbage thrown in the wrong place is the norm for Dubai.

The UAE welcomes guests who respect the traditions and laws of this eastern country. Knowledge and observance of generally accepted standards will make your stay in the UAE resorts comfortable and safe.

UAE is the safest Arab country. If these words are not enough for you, then the UAE in 2011 took 33rd place in the ranking of safe countries out of 153, while Russia ranks 147th, and for example France - 36th. If this is not enough, then the Emirates are in second place among the countries with the lowest rate of murders per hundred thousand people of the population.

The numbers speak for themselves. UAE is really very safe country. Moreover, which is good, it is safe not because the police work well here, but because the UAE is a country with the highest standard of living, a stable political and economic situation. Here you can absolutely calmly walk at night in the darkest alleys, and are not afraid of anything. Here, it is more likely to be afraid of aggression from compatriots vacationing here than from local residents.

Laws, rules and traditions of behavior

The Emirates are known for their strict customs and harsh laws. Here it is very easy to be fined or even imprisoned for seemingly "harmless" violations of ours. Tourists are no exception, and for the slightest misconduct they will be held accountable in the same way as local residents. Keep in mind that if there is no policeman nearby, this does not mean that no one is watching you: policemen in civilian clothes patrol in crowded areas, there is video surveillance everywhere, and respectable citizens can report your violations to the police.

• It is forbidden by law to swear, show rude gestures, even among tourists. For such a violation, you can be fined or even sentenced to prison.
• You should not kiss or hug in public, show your love relationship in another way. You can also end up in jail for this.
• You can’t wear a bathing suit in public places (except beaches), it’s indecent for women to wear transparent clothes, dresses or skirts that open the leg above the knee, clothes with an open stomach, shoulders or back. Even being on the beach in too revealing a bathing suit can be a reason for a fine, and topless sunbathing is strictly prohibited.
• You should not pester women, talk to local ladies, look at girls. Such actions are considered rude behavior.
• Checking documents is not uncommon. Carry your passport or a photocopy with you.
• You can't take pictures of local residents without their permission. Such a violation is punishable by a fine or arrest. Given that you can’t talk to women, only men can ask permission to shoot. It is also forbidden to withdraw banks, government agencies, military installations.
• Premarital lovemaking is illegal in the UAE and no exceptions are made for foreigners. Unmarried tourists may even be denied accommodation in one room. If you are married but have different last names, you can provide a certified translation of your marriage certificate.
• Homosexual relationships are legally prohibited, so friends who have settled in the same room can come with an unexpected check if they behave suspiciously.
• Drug use is punishable by a long prison term or a heavy fine. And distribution - the death penalty or life imprisonment. You can get under the article for drug use even if the tourist carries with him medicines prescribed by a doctor. Many of them (including those that are sold openly in pharmacies in Russia) are officially banned for use in the UAE.
• Crossing the street in the wrong place is punishable by a fine or a month in prison.
• For smoking in the wrong place, for throwing garbage past the bin or just on the ground, a large fine is due.
• Gambling is banned in the UAE.
• The consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited. Also, you should not appear on the street in a state of intoxication. You can drink alcohol only in the hotel room, or in places where it is allowed: in bars, restaurants.
• It is forbidden to transport alcoholic beverages from one emirate to another.
• In the month of Ramadan in the country you can not drink, eat and smoke from sunrise to sunset. Of course, this does not apply to tourists, and tourists are fed and even watered in hotel restaurants, but this rule cannot be violated in other public places. Failure to respect this tradition can result in fines and even imprisonment.
• It is forbidden to enter the house of an Arab with shoes on. If the owner walks ahead of you and enters in shoes himself, then this prohibition is lifted.
• Food and drink should only be given and taken right hand. If there is no cutlery, then you need to rinse your right hand with water and take food directly to her.
• You can not offer local residents alcoholic drinks as gifts or souvenirs, offer them a drink with you.

road traffic

Traffic in the UAE, like in Russia, is right-handed. Traffic intensity and driving style on the roads of the Emirates are often compared with Moscow, emphasizing that they are very similar. At the same time, local drivers are generally more friendly. Rules traffic And road signs almost the same as in Russia, except for the inscriptions that are written in English and Arabic.

Speed ​​limit in settlements is 60 km / h, on most routes 100 km / h. High-speed mode is controlled by automatic radars with photo and video recording. Paid parking there are few in cities, usually they are only in the very center, on narrow streets. Parking is AED 2 per hour.

Pedestrians should not violate the rules for crossing the carriageway, because. this entails a rather large fine. You can also not stand on the side of the road in order to stop a passing car.

Health

Quality medical care in the UAE at the highest level, but at prices it does not lag behind the level. In order not to go broke in case of need, apply for medical care, it is strongly recommended to get insurance before the trip (insurance is most often already included in tour packages).

Pharmacies in the UAE are common. In every city there are 24-hour duty pharmacies.

The sun in the UAE is very active at any time of the year, so you should protect yourself from sunlight and dehydration.

Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is best.

If in your travel first aid kit drug-containing drugs that are prohibited in the country are found (among the prohibited ones there are those that are sold in pharmacies in Russia even without a prescription), then you can go to jail for drug use. If the need for such a drug is vital, you must have a certified translation of the medical prescription with you.

Emergency Phones

Ambulance - 999

Police - 999

Fire - 997

Embassies and consulates

Embassy of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) in Moscow:

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the UAE (United Arab Emirates):

The best prices for flights to popular destinations:

The United Arab Emirates is a unique state, which in a few decades has turned from a poor province of pearl miners into one of the richest countries in the world community. Literally from sand and dust grew majestic buildings- the highest on our planet, mosques, an area of ​​​​five football fields, multiple theme parks, aquariums that are included in the Guinness Book of Records, artificial archipelagos, which are a small copy of our planet and other attractions.

Beautiful effective landscapes that successfully harmonize with developed infrastructure, will fully appreciate everything from young to old, but only if the strict rules of Islamic culture are observed. Otherwise, an incompetent tourist will face fines/imprisonment/warnings for an innocent selfie with locals, chewing gum in public places, purchased alcohol, etc.

Rules of conduct in the UAE in public places

How to dress in the UAE for tourists

If you spend all your time in a hotel or inn with private beach and entertainment, then you should not worry that the locals may misunderstand the desire to sunbathe topless. But if you put on a too open and vulgar swimsuit on a city beach, then you may well be detained for three days! Muslims are very strict about any manifestations of disrespect for the traditions of their people and honor the rules of conduct up to fanaticism.

Tourists are strictly prohibited from: communicate with Arab women, violate personal space, take pictures of buildings, local residents, joke, throw garbage where it’s not supposed to, look at girls in a veil…

And if you decide to flirt with girls, you will be fined several (!) thousand dollars. If you are planning a trip to the city, it is highly recommended to give preference to modest clothing that covers the knees and covers the chest, even though intense heat. Hotels are less strict about the dress code, so the laws of Dubai are not in full force here. Orders are very strictly respected in the Old City in the emirate of Sharjah.

What absolutely can not be done in the United Arab Emirates

In addition to the above rules of conduct in public places, in the United Arab Emirates it is strictly forbidden to look a person in the eye while eating, touch the interlocutor with your hand during a conversation, ask about the family, come to visit and not take off your shoes, behave provocatively on the street, get into the car for women and children. In the country, it is also forbidden to smoke in places not designated for these purposes, to be rude, to behave impartially and defiantly.

Alcohol: Do's and Don'ts

Remember the rules of conduct in the holy month of Ramadan!

In the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan, there is a dry law. This means that tourists will not be able to buy alcoholic beverages in any of the establishments. On other days, according to the law, you can transport up to one liter of wine, but if you increase the volume of the strong "souvenir", you can get a fine. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is also punished and hits hard on the wallet. Also, you will not get rid of liability if you wrap the contents of the bottle in a bag. For such an act, you can easily go to jail. Drunk driving and driving under the influence of alcohol are also added to this violation.

Remember that the local residents of the UAE are millionaires and oligarchs, and therefore they have corresponding fines. You can drink cocktails with a degree in cafes, bars, restaurants, your own hotel room.

What else is prohibited in Ramadan

During Ramadan it is strictly forbidden to eat, smoke or drink in public. This rule also applies to tourists. Also, any public events, including clubs and discos, are completely prohibited.

Eg, there is a taboo on alcoholic drinks in Sharjah. In other emirates, drinks can be bought in special shops or bars.

Separately about alcohol stores

Traveling with a friend? Settle in different rooms Otherwise, you can get 10 years in prison!

Arabs have a special relationship with public displays of affection. In short, they are simply prohibited here. And a simple kiss will be a good reason to be accused of violating public morality. Homosexual couples are taken especially seriously here. For example, if two men settled in the same room just to save money, then at the first suspicion you may be held accountable. By the way, this is punishable by a prison term of 10 or 14 years, depending on the particular emirate.

Features of the manifestation of relations between men and women

In the United Arab Emirates, any manifestations of love and tenderness are strictly prohibited. In public places, the maximum that is possible is to hold hands, but only to persons who are officially married. Kissing, squeezing and hugging are strictly prohibited, as are other physical touches.

Not married? Be carefull

T It is also better for unmarried couples to stay in different rooms. What if the girl left maiden name, then you will have to present a document, otherwise you may be imprisoned for violations of moral standards.

Rules for communicating with local residents

The country does not impose its rules on anyone, but is very scrupulous about any manifestation of disrespect for the centuries-old traditions of local residents. There are a number of rules about the correct behavior of tourists in the UAE, which you must comply with as a guest of this power.

So, money, drinks and objects are served only with the right hand, when meeting the interlocutor they always shake hands, praise him for hospitality and delicious food, do not talk under any circumstances with local women, do not look at them, do not fit into personal space, when they meet in the eyes, which is forbidden to do while eating.

By the way, you can only eat while sitting. There is no question of any meal on the run!

Hospitality Traditions in the UAE

Despite strict laws and the unshakable sovereignty of etiquette, local residents are happy to host familiar tourists, and do so with all due respect to centuries of history country and its etiquette.

So, the guest will be delighted with the tea ceremony, which cannot be refused, as this will be regarded as a sign of disrespect. Drinks are served in special bowls, bowls. Traditionally, no sugar is added to the drink. You can take objects and food only with your right hand! At a party, you should behave extremely modestly and restrainedly, first greet the elder.

What else not to do in the UAE

1. Bring medicines from home that can be regarded as drugs. For example, the substance that is part of validol is strictly prohibited by the laws of the UAE. Distribution of drugs is punishable by death.
2. Wear revealing clothing. In public places, it is necessary to cover open parts of the body - even a thin translucent fabric will do.
3. Be drunk on the street.
4. Make noise and attract the attention of local residents.
5. Smoking in the wrong place.
6. Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering most mosques.
7. Under 21 years of age, the purchase of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
8. It is not recommended to wear bright clothes during Ramadan.
9. On public beaches, women are advised to be in closed Muslim swimsuits.
10. Smoking e-cigarettes is also discouraged.
11. In the metro of the city of Dubai, not everywhere you can drink water or have a snack.

Do not take extra medicines to the Emirates - they can pass for drugs

Going to the UAE, be careful about the choice of medicines. The fact is that in this country they take the illegal import of drugs very seriously. And those medicines that are considered legal in your country may be banned in the emirates.

You can be jailed for 7 years for swearing in public. Even if you were joking to your friend.

Separately for women

Laws for women in the UAE may seem especially unpredictable. First of all, it concerns clothing. Women are strictly prohibited from wearing not just revealing clothes, but transparent, dresses and skirts that open areas above the knee, and you can’t show the stomach, shoulders and back. A special attitude here and to local women. They are forbidden to ask for directions, look and, of course, be rude.

The situation is also difficult with photographs. If you are taking a picture of a street, building, or just the area, then you will have to ask permission from everyone who is in the frame. The fact is that photographing people without their consent and knowledge is punishable by law.

Why tourists are imprisoned in the UAE

Most Sharia law in the UAE applies to tourists. If a guest is not imprisoned for a dinner with alcohol and pork dishes, then he can go to jail for an innocent selfie. Sentence to death can only be for especially serious crimes, including for the distribution of narcotic drugs. But for the use of illegal drugs, you can be punished in the form of 10-15 years in prison.

On the Internet, stories about detention after illegal photography and video filming, uncivilized attitude towards local residents, and accidental touching are “walking”. In fact, these rumors are somewhat exaggerated, since the UAE is quite patient with tourists, because the sphere of this business brings considerable income to residents. Therefore, a long term for drinking a bottle of beer in the wrong place is the exception rather than the rule.

The United Arab Emirates is a real treasure trove in direct and figuratively this word. Only now this treasury will turn out to be a cage or a gift - it's up to you to decide.