7 Everyday Things That Are Illegal in Dubai but Normal in the UK

With luxury resorts, winter sun and a flight time of around seven hours from the UK, Dubai is a popular holiday destination for many Brits. In 2024 alone, the city welcomed 1.3 million visitors from the UK, alongside a growing wave of relocations. Today, an estimated 240,000 UK expats are calling Dubai home.

If you’re considering a trip or looking to relocate to Dubai, you’ll probably know some of the UAE’s better-known laws, such as strict rules on alcohol and drugs or the modest dress code rules in public. But, there are some everyday things that are totally fine in the UK and illegal in Dubai, which could easily catch you out. Here are 7 quirky Dubai laws to know:

1) Taking photos of strangers

Being careful when you’re snapping photos in public in Dubai is a must, because taking a photo or video of someone without their consent can land you in a whole lot of trouble. Posting images of people online without permission is widely considered a breach of privacy, under cybersecurity and privacy laws, even if the photo was taken in a public place.

Depending on the circumstances, this can result in fines ranging from £31,000 to more than £100,000, and in more serious cases, up to six months in jail. Authorities also warn against photographing aircraft without permission, certain government buildings and military sites. When in doubt, stick to skylines, sunsets, and selfies.

2) Sleeping in public

In the UK, dozing off on a train, park bench or beach is rarely an issue. In Dubai, however, sleeping in public spaces is technically against the law (considered loitering!) and can result in a fine. This usually applies to parks, pavements and public beaches rather than hotel pools or resort sun loungers, so there’s no need to panic about falling asleep by the pool. Still, nodding off somewhere unofficial could earn you an uncomfortable wake-up call. Fines are typically around £60, and while enforcement varies, it’s one of those rules best not tested.

3) Littering (even a little bit)

Dubai has a zero-tolerance approach to littering, and it’s enforced far more strictly than in most UK cities. Dropping a water bottle, food wrapper or cigarette end, even accidentally, can result in a fine. There’s little patience for the “I’ll pick it up in a second” defence, which goes a long way towards explaining why the city stays impressively clean. Fines for littering are typically around £100, so it’s worth hanging on to your rubbish until you find a bin.

4) Crossing the road wherever you like

Jaywalking might be second nature in the UK, especially in busy cities where crossing wherever there’s a gap in traffic feels efficient rather than reckless. In Dubai, it’s illegal. Crossing the road anywhere other than a designated pedestrian crossing can result in a fine, even if the road appears quiet and other people are doing the same thing. On the spot fines work out at around £80, but if an accident occurs as a result of your jaywalking, fines can increase to thousands of pounds and even jail time.

5) Washing your car in public

Washing your car in a public place or in front of your home won’t raise an eyebrow in the UK, but it’s illegal in Dubai. This is because it creates wastewater and dirt on the streets, which violates cleanliness and environmental rules. You can wash your car on your private property or driveway, but you have to stop the water from running down the public pavement or road (which can be a challenge!) Most residents just head to the petrol station or mall for a £5 car wash to avoid a £100 fine.

6) Carrying poppy seeds

Poppy seeds, commonly found on bagels, bread and baked goods in the UK, are classified as a controlled substance in the UAE. That innocent seeded bagel picked up at the airport or leftover Pret snack in your hand luggage can cause serious problems at customs. Even small quantities have been known to result in fines, deportation or serious legal consequences.

7) Swearing and ride gestures

Muttering under your breath, swearing at traffic or flipping someone off might feel like harmless British stress relief, but in Dubai it can be viewed as public indecency or offensive behaviour. Depending on the situation, penalties can range from fines to detention. In short, it’s a good idea to keep your inner calm, even when driving in Dubai can feel like a F1 race.

The bottom line

Dubai isn’t about catching tourists or expats out, but it does expect people to adjust their behaviour rather than assume British norms apply everywhere. Most of these rules are easy to follow once you know about them, and the vast majority of visitors never run into any issues at all. So enjoy the skylines, sunsets, and selfies.

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