Non-Muslim residents of Dubai need an alcohol license to purchase alcohol from a store or have alcohol in your home.
As a Muslim country, the UAE implements Sharia law, which prohibits the purchase and consumption of alcohol. However, the UAE authorities are aware that drinking alcohol is popular among non-Muslims, so for that reason the UAE sets rules and boundaries for purchasing and drinking alcohol.
In hotels across all of the Emirates (except Sharjah where sale, consumption or possession of alcohol is prohibited) alcohol is offered to customers and visitors to their establishments. But be mindful of the fact that consuming alcohol is not allowed in unlicensed public places, and drunkenness in public is a an offence. Drinking alcohol is also not allowed when there is a public holiday, such as Isra Wal Miraj or the Prophet’s Birthday.
If ever you are caught transporting a large quantity of alcohol, the drink and your vehicle will be seized and you will face punishment as per the Sharia law. Also, there is a zero-tolerance policy towards drinking and driving.
It’s better to be safe – and legal(1) – and it’s s quite easy to get your own liquor license, so just follow the steps below to make sure you are all legal and above board.
Since the change to alcohol tax in January 2023, an alcohol licence is now free and you can apply for a licence at MMI and African + Eastern stores across the city. You will need your Emirates ID in order to submit an application for a licence. Just take it into any MMI or African + Eastern store to get it scanned to begin the process. Once you’ve submitted the paperwork, the approval process takes a couple of days and you can purchase from then. The new card should be ready in about two to three weeks.
Do remember that it is an offence to buy, transport, store and consume alcohol, as a resident in the UAE, without a valid Liquor License.
