Uae laws for tourists. What you need to know and do before you travel. TEZ TOUR Tourist Support Phones in the UAE

In this article, we will try to tell you in detail about how to behave in the UAE, what is prohibited and what is allowed, how to communicate with the locals and how not to make problems for yourself during the holidays and the rest of your life.

In the UAE, most of the prohibitions, due to the official religion of the country, are associated with the use of alcohol. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol. But, despite this, non-Muslim tourists, unlike more strict countries (for example, Saudi Arabia), V United Arab Emirates have several options regarding alcohol consumption: firstly, you can bring alcohol with you (for example, buy it at Duty Free on arrival), while remembering that this should not be done in public places and in front of Muslims; secondly, alcohol is sold in bars and restaurants that have the appropriate license for this. But in a state of intoxication it is strictly forbidden to appear on the streets of the city and public places. The sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants in the UAE is prohibited to persons under 21, so you should carry a copy of your passport or other document confirming your age with you. Remember that the emirate of Sharjah, unlike the rest, is completely alcohol-free. Strangely, it is also forbidden to transport alcohol from emirate to emirate, it can pass for smuggling, despite the fact that there are no cordons and checkpoints between the emirates that could control this.

During the Holy Month of Ramadan Muslims from dawn to dusk do not drink or eat anything, they are also forbidden to smoke and chew gum. Non-Muslims should respect the religious traditions and feelings of Muslims and try not to eat, drink or smoke in public places, refrain from noisy entertainment and indecent behavior in the UAE. It is advisable to wear closed and dim clothing. Failure to comply with these simple rules behavior in the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan may entail administrative and even criminal liability. During Ramadan, as a sign of respect for non-Muslim tourists, there are bars and restaurants at hotels where you can eat and drink during the day.

Access to almost everything mosques UAE non-Muslims are prohibited. The only exception is tourist visits Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi during allotted hours and Jumeirah Mosque

Again, due to religion, there are a number of rules of conduct for tourists who come to the Emirates. When interacting with the locals show respect and courtesy, do not touch people, do not stroke children on the head, do not stare at local women, keep your distance.

When entering an Arab house, take off your shoes, first greet the elder, then in a circle with everyone present, do not give alcohol or pork products to a Muslim, try to give and not take everything right hand(the left hand is considered dirty in the Muslim world), do not sit with your feet facing a Muslim, European women should not be the first to give a hand to a Muslim man, do not interfere with those praying during prayer.

Gambling, prostitution and drugs are completely prohibited in the Emirates. IN last years Western influence also affected smoking ban in public places, enclosed spaces and on the beaches.

Photographing Muslim women are unacceptable - this is considered an insult and can lead to arrest for 3 days. Therefore, one must be careful when shooting in shops, markets - where ladies often go. Before photographing a Muslim man, it is better to ask him for permission. It is also strictly forbidden in the UAE to photograph the palaces of sheikhs, military facilities and structures.

Rules of conduct on the road in the UAE do not differ significantly from Russian ones. Everything is like everywhere else: do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fasten your seat belt, do not talk on your mobile, do not exceed speed limits. If, as a result of an accident, the car interferes with the passage of others Vehicle, you need to remove it.

If, due to some circumstances, you are forced to conduct a dialogue with representatives of the UAE authorities, in no case don't offer a bribe! This may cause irreversible consequences for you.

In the interests of security in the UAE, bathe in forbidden places and with black flags raised (danger warning), go into the desert without a guide, touch and kill wild animals, pluck plants and damage corals. Also, we do not recommend taking in the UAE pets. Almost all hotels in the UAE refuse to accommodate pets, even if they small size and not at all dangerous to society.

The rules of conduct for tourists in the UAE also prohibit men and women show your feelings in public, kiss, hug. Under the law of the country, the cohabitation of an unmarried man and woman is also prohibited. Of course, hotels often turn a blind eye to tourists who are in a civil marriage. But, if a tourist has a holiday romance with a local resident, then most likely it will not end in anything good (remember that the local gentleman may turn out to be an employee of the "vice police"). Due to religion, it is also prohibited in the UAE to display homosexual tendencies men and women, despite the fact that among the locals it is quite normal for two friends to walk by the hand or a greeting in which both men rub their noses.

Since the question How to dress in the Emirates» is very voluminous, we highlighted it in separate article, which you can read on this .

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 not walk in a bathing suit in public places (except beaches), it is 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 the distribution 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 with the 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 has strict laws. Most of of them adheres to Sharia - Islamic rules taught by the Koran. It seems that the authorities need order and compliance with all laws, but they understand that these rules prevent tourists from having a normal rest. Not all laws apply to all emirates at once. If you seriously violate the laws of this country, you can get a fine or go to jail.

Alcohol

All Muslims in the Emirates are prohibited from drinking alcoholic beverages. Non-Muslims can drink alcohol with a special license. Such a license is issued to citizens of the UAE, for drinking alcohol without it, you can run into a fine of 600 dirhams.

However, tourists can also buy alcohol, there are Duty Free shops for this.

You can also buy alcohol in restaurants or bars. (Read the article). The police do not seek to carry out raids to catch tourists without a license. However, there were unpleasant cases when tourists drank without a license, and then turned to the police for something. In this case, they received a fine for drinking alcohol without a license, and then the police already understood the incidents.

Sharjah is the toughest drinking emirate. You can’t buy alcohol here at all, except in Duty Free. Even if you have a license, you can only drink alcohol at home. Of course, the police do not arrange serious checks, but it is better not to shine. In Sharjah, you can also find underground points for the sale of alcohol, but it is better for tourists not to look for adventures on their own heads. One of the most serious violations is being drunk in a public place. For such an act, you can get a fine of 500 dirhams or go to jail for 2 years. Please note that city beaches are public places, it is forbidden to be there even with beer.

Adviсe:

When in Sharjah with alcohol, hide it well in a bag or suitcase. For any emirate - drink only near the hotel. If you drank alcohol in restaurants or clubs, it is better to use a taxi and head to the hotel. .

Driving under the influence of alcohol

It is forbidden to drive a car if the alcohol level is above zero. For driving drunk in the Emirates, you risk getting a fine of 20,000 dirhams. Sometimes you can go to jail for such a violation, but this is if you get into an accident, being "under the safe." Don't try to steal from the police as there are many cameras in the country and the police have expensive sports cars.

Dress code

How to dress? This question often worries many women, especially when it comes to going to the beach. There are many nuances, we will talk about them.

Attitude towards women's swimwear

Hotels located on the beaches of any emirate allow the use of open swimwear. Sometimes hotels allow topless sunbathing. Open swimwear is also allowed near water parks and pools. Open swimwear is allowed in the emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.

Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah are allowed to be on the beach only in a closed swimsuit. Ras Al Khaimah banned bikinis in 2013.

You should not wear swimwear while outside the beach, water park, pool area. Responsibility for this is not provided, but you can get a warning from the police. You will ignore the requirements of the police - go to the station, where you will receive a fine.

Dress code in public places

If you are going to go to the city, then you need to choose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Underwear should not be visible, revealing outfits and decals are prohibited. These norms have the right to exist, but they are not laws, but simply instructions or recommendations. Penalties for such violations are not applied. But if the police see naked people in the city, they will simply arrest them for violating moral standards. For violation of the dress code, the entrance to shopping centers and attractions may be closed.

Sharjah is the most strict emirate, there is a special attitude to clothes here. Improperly dressed tourists may be approached by the police and asked to change. Failure to comply with police requirements is a direct path to the police station, as well as receiving a fine.

Simple advice - dress properly and you will not have any problems. Remember that it is very hot in the UAE, so wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics. Adherence to the dress code is important for other reasons as well. Only 10 percent of the indigenous people in the Emirates live, the rest are foreigners, mainly from India and Pakistan. Mostly men go to work, there are almost twice as many of them in the United Arab Emirates as women. In this regard, an acute problem in the UAE is the great sexual dissatisfaction of men, so it is better for women not to wear defiant and revealing outfits, otherwise you can stumble upon hot looks.

Man + woman = conclusion

In the UAE, it is forbidden to show love and tenderness in public, even if you are spouses. Walking down the street by the hand is allowed, but kissing and hugging in public is not allowed. These rules apply to all emirates without exception. Sometimes the media slips news about tourists who ended up in the police station for showing love pleasures. Usually tourists receive warnings, they are rarely detained. Severe punishment can be a month in a cell. Extramarital relationships are treated with particular indignation in the Emirates. Previously, an unmarried couple was forbidden to be placed in the same hotel room. Gradually, this ban disappeared.

For sexual intercourse outside of marriage, you can get a prison sentence of two years. Sometimes newspaper headlines are full of news about the antics of tourists who were convicted of extramarital affairs. An interesting situation occurred on March 6, 2013. Norwegian Martha Dalelv went to Dubai. It so happened that she filed a report with the police about the rape, the incident was being investigated. The result was sad - the fact of rape was not proven, and the girl herself was accused of drinking alcohol without a license, for which she was given 16 months in prison. However, later she was nevertheless pardoned, and the offender received 13 months. imprisonment. Before you go to the police with a statement about rape, you need to think 100 times. The police of the United Arab Emirates take such statements very seriously, they believe that in case of rape, the victim should be beaten. If there are no beatings, then an extramarital affair is recorded, in which case both the applicant and the porter can be imprisoned.

Homosexuality = prison

Behind gay in the UAE they are punished by prison. In the emirates there is varying degrees punishment. In Abu Dhabi, for such connections they give 14 years in a cell, in Dubai - 10 years. For people with an unusual orientation, we advise you to completely refuse to travel to the Emirates. For wearing by a man women's clothing you can get punished, any jokes and gestures related to the topic of non-traditional orientation are unacceptable.

For those who love photography

Islam is categorically against the depiction of people or animals. It is believed that people want to become like Allah and can be punished. As for photographs and videos, then the thoughts of modern technologists diverge. Of course, in the Emirates you can take pictures and record videos. If you take photos of a public place, then there will be no problem situation. But when photographing an individual local resident, especially a female, it can create certain problems. She may even ask you to delete the photo, you will need to do this. Otherwise, this may amount to an invasion of privacy, then you already risk ending up in the police station. The situation will be more serious if the photo was also taken on the beach. It is also forbidden to take pictures of aircraft, military and industrial facilities, police cars, government offices, oil rigs.

Drugs and other illicit drugs

In the United Arab Emirates, prohibited substances may differ from those in Russia. Some medicines that a doctor prescribes to us may be considered narcotic in the UAE. Particular attention should be paid to painkillers. When transporting medicines, bring a prescription from a doctor with you, this will help to avoid liability. The sale of narcotic drugs, their possession and manufacture, as well as the use leads to a prison sentence of 4 years. The police have the right to take blood tests from suspicious individuals. When traveling in the United Arab Emirates, try not to get involved with drugs at all. Often come into focus transit passengers, airports have sensitive equipment that can detect any presence of drugs in the bag.

Hot and sunny

When traveling around the UAE, do not forget about the insidiousness of the hot sun. Try to wear a hat on your head, stock up on clothes in light colors. In summer it is recommended to use sunscreen. Sun burns cannot be covered by travel insurance. You can save yourself from the hot sun for a while in a store or cafe, as well as shopping malls and on the Dubai Metro.

On bus stops Air conditioners are being installed in the Emirates.

Ramadan is a holy month for both Muslims and tourists. In public this month you can not eat during the day, smoke and drink liquids. This applies only to public places, but does not apply to hotels. Abstinence from food and drink does not apply to children, pregnant and nursing mothers.

Etiquette

When communicating with citizens of the United Arab Emirates, it is necessary to use the rules of etiquette. Gestures should be shown with a full palm, but not with fingers. Taking drinks and food, giving/receiving gifts should be done with the right hand. When invited to the Majlis, you need to take off your shoes. You can not sit cross-legged, show your legs. When entering the premises of a person who is higher in rank, you must stand up.

What else is prohibited in the Emirates

Pornographic materials, photographs, magazines, even topless are prohibited. Such goods are subject to confiscation at customs. It is forbidden to sing and dance in a public place. Cybercrimes involving social networks are also considered punishable.

An average of 4 thousand kilometers of flight separates the UAE from the inhabitants of Russia. And now - another country, with its own traditions and laws, strict prohibitions and regulations. To be frank, local rules are not always and everywhere respected. Fortunately, our tourists are for the most part law-abiding citizens, the only thing that really pulls them to break is all the prohibitions regarding the use of alcohol. But it’s better not to run into trouble and not risk your money, which, if something happens, will have to be given in considerable amounts, paying fines.
Most of all, for some reason, British citizens do not respect local laws and traditions, trying to break away in the UAE to the fullest - well, they have troubles with the local police. Fines are fine, otherwise they can put you in jail. The criminal police, by the way, walks in civilian clothes, so it’s not worth relying on the fact that “in which case we will stop everything or hide it”. It is better to study certain rules of conduct and learn about strict prohibitions dictated mainly by religion.

So, arriving in the UAE, what we want and what we can’t do:

Sharjah is much more strict. If you want to feel comfortable, then women can bring or buy a long skirt, light trousers and a T-shirt in the Emirates. If a sundress is worn, you can cover your shoulders with a light stole.

You can get reliable information about hotels from our specialists. We can recommend a hotel that is right for you, as well as arrange a tour with accommodation in a hotel where pets are allowed.

• In the UAE you can not bring homemade food, poppy seeds, pork. Full list, what and in what quantities can be imported into the Emirates, what needs to be declared and what is not necessary, you can find out on the official website of the UAE Customs.
• You can't bring it here. erotic products, drugs, weapons, many drugs. All medicines are sold here and they are so good quality that many tourists pick them up to, on the contrary, bring home.
• If you know local people who invited to visit: you can not refuse treats, enter the house in shoes, ask about the family, and also offer alcohol and pork products.

What to warn tourists about

UAE mastered Russian tourists for a long time, and yet there is still an opinion that this direction is exclusively for teetotalers, and for those who cannot imagine their vacation without alcohol, there is nothing to do there. The editors of the site tried to understand the alcohol myths about the UAE and find out where they are lies and where is the truth.

Myth #1. The United Arab Emirates has a strict dry law

Reality. In the UAE, the attitude towards alcohol is really special, and alcohol is not sold on every corner. But in the vast majority of emirates, foreigners can safely and legally drink in nightclubs, restaurants and bars at hotels and other catering establishments that have the appropriate license. True, only inside, "takeaway" will not be given.

A truly strict dry law operates only in one emirate - Sharjah. Alcohol is not sold there at all. And we are recalling some experienced travelers, it is even impossible to bring alcohol to Sharjah - they will take it away, they say, at the border. Tourist business professionals assure that this is a misconception. In fact, no one is satisfied with a total search, and if you are not carrying twenty cases of vodka in an open truck, they will not stop you. Moreover, tourists in Sharjah are not forbidden to drink strong drinks in their room, just like in all the UAE. There are hotels where alcohol is not served or refilled in minibars in other emirates, but there are not many of them.

Myth #2. Alcohol in the UAE is sold only in hotels, bars, restaurants and airport dutyfree

Reality. Yes, alcohol is not sold on every corner, and yet in many emirates there are specialized shops where you can buy alcohol. Moreover, almost all well-known world brands are represented there. True, there are two "buts". First, only persons of non-Muslim faith can stock up at these points. Second (and more significant for tourists): alcohol in such stores is sold only to residents of the country who have a special permit issued by the internal affairs authorities of the UAE.

On the Internet, you can find the addresses of several stores where alcohol is sold “relatively legally” and an alcohol license is not asked for. The key word here is "relatively". As the CEO of the company, a well-known expert on the UAE, assures, officially, without the above-mentioned permission, drinks with a degree cannot be bought anywhere except hotels and catering establishments. So here the tourist acts at his own peril and risk. In addition, for obvious reasons, these outlets are located in the backyards, away from busy places, not marked with signs and other identification marks, it is not so easy for a stranger to find them. Is it worth spending precious time looking for a vacation? Most tourists answer this question in the negative and prefer to buy alcohol in duty free airport upon arrival. 2 liters of alcoholic beverages of any strength are allowed for import into the UAE.

You can also stock up on alcohol at the airport of departure, but it is categorically not recommended to start libations already on board the aircraft, especially getting drunk in the trash - serious problems may arise with the passage border control in the Emirates.

Myth #3. Punishment for violating the "dry law" threatens only local residents and Muslims, tourists do not touch

Reality. Formally, in the UAE it is forbidden even to appear on the street while intoxicated. But tourists, indeed, are quite loyal, and if a foreigner decides to walk from the restaurant to the hotel a little drunk, most likely he will not be touched. Provided that he behaves decently, does not rage and does not stick to local citizens. Otherwise, at least he is provided with a drive to the local police station and an explanatory conversation. If, however, a citizen disturbed by a foreign drunkard (and even more so a citizen!) submits an application, more serious proceedings cannot be avoided, up to trial and imprisonment or deportation from the country.

Drinking alcohol on the street, on the beach and in general anywhere, except for special establishments, is strictly prohibited for everyone, tourists in this case are no exception. True, savvy Russians have adapted to pour alcohol into plastic bottles and carry with you to the beach under the guise of plain water. The same principle applies here: sanctions will not follow if you behave adequately. In Sharjah, it is generally better to refrain from such experiments.

But drunk driving is treated very strictly in all emirates, in this case the punishment will be severe and concessions will not be made for anyone. Also, be careful when paying tribute to Bacchus during Ramadan.

Myth number 4. Alcohol in the UAE is drunk only by tourists and expats. Local population you will not meet in bars - religion forbids

Reality. How else will you meet. They dress up in European clothes and rock the clubs no worse than foreigners. Religion forbids something, but a person, as you know, is weak. Although it mostly concerns men. And in general, the majority of UAE citizens still do not drink alcohol - the proportion of the non-drinking population reaches 87%. Therefore, despite the fact that many myths about prohibition in the UAE are not confirmed, it will not be superfluous to follow the rules of good taste - to respect the local traditions and don't abuse it.