Drink and Drugs

Alcohol

It is an offence in the UAE to drink and drive, there is a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving, and the penalties can be severe.

Alcoholic drinks are served in licensed hotels and clubs. But it is a punishable offence to drink or to be drunk in public.

The legal age for consumption of alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi and 21 in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, except Sharjah where any alcohol consumption is illegal.

Residents can obtain liquor licences to consume alcohol in private homes. These licences only permit the holder to purchase or consume alcohol in the Emirate that issued the licence e.g. a permit issued in Abu Dhabi is not valid in Dubai.

Drugs and Prescription Medicines

Some prescribed and over the counter medicines that are available in the UK are considered to be controlled substances in the UAE. Any such medication is not allowed into the UAE without prior permission from the UAE Ministry of Health. If a passenger arrives in the UAE without prior approval and the required documentation, the medication will not be allowed into the UAE and the person may be subject to prosecution under the laws of the UAE.

The penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling and possession, of even residual amounts, of drugs are severe. The possession and/or import of even the smallest amount of drugs can result in a minimum prison sentence of four years. The presence of drugs in the blood stream is counted as possession.

The importation of narcotics, pork products and pornographic books and material is forbidden. Videos, books and magazines are subject to scrutiny and may be censored.