This law was based on Emirati culture and the Muslim religion, which forbids sexual relations outside marriage. However, Dubai remains one of the most tolerant cities in the United Arab Emirates and has revised its law. Thus, since the end of 2020, living as a couple in Dubai is possible even if you are not married.
Living together in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in fact the whole of UAE as an unmarried couple is illegal and can result in a prison sentence and deportation.
In January 2022, reforms announced in November 2021 came into effect, effectively decriminalising relationships and pregnancies outside of marriage, and permitting unmarried couples to live together.
Unmarried couples can live together in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the rest of the UAE without penalties or conviction, query, or fear of getting reported. In other words, the cohabiting of unmarried men and women are no longer illegal but now legal, whether they're lawfully wedded or not.
It is illegal for muslims to cohabit before marriage. It is therefore against the law in Dubai to share a room if you are not married, HOWEVER, it is one of the laws that a blind eye is turned to for the tourist trade and therefore it will not be an issue - no one will ask yoiu they will just assume you are.
According to the law, it's illegal for unmarried couples to stay in the same room during a holiday in Dubai. In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. Many unmarried couples visit Dubai every year without issue.
Following this, unmarried couples may now live in the same accommodation and cohabit without marriage in the UAE. Therefore, you may travel with your girlfriend to Dubai and stay with her in the same hotel room without facing any legal issues pertaining to cohabitation.
The UAE penal code states that if an unmarried couple is convicted of engaging in consensual sex outside of marriage or cohabitation is taking place, that couple will most likely be punished with one year of jail time and deportation.
In November 2020, the government introduced some changes. Now, not only unmarried couples but also unrelated friends can live together. The UAE media noted that, in fact, even before that many unmarried expats were living in Dubai without being prosecuted by the authorities for breaking the rules.
“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”
It is important to be aware that Article 410 of the Federal Law No : 31 of 2021 concerning the UAE penal code states that anyone who has sexual intercourse with a female of 18 years or above and has given birth to a child, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of not less than two years.
Marriage as a prerequisite
Under the UAE law, marriage is the only legal bond for a man and a woman to establish a relationship and form a family. The man and woman must be legally married to each other to get legal recognition for their child.
Yes! They do. Although sex outside the marriage is illegal in Dubai but nobody cares what's going on behind the curtain.
Obviously, the answer is yes. It is estimated that 30% of UAE property is owned by women. There are many women living here alone as well. This is not uncommon and they tend to feel very safe secure doing so.
What is the average salary in Dubai? According to Salary Explorer, the average salary in Dubai is 258,000 AED per year (70,256 USD as per exchange rates in 2023). This figure can help you get an overview of Dubai's economy and its standard of living.
Marriage. A foreign woman married to an Emirati national may acquire citizenship provided that the marriage lasts for at least seven years with the condition of having at least one child, or ten years in the absence of children. The wife of a naturalized male citizen may also acquire Emirati citizenship.
It is illegal for muslims to cohabit before marriage. It is therefore against the law in Dubai to share a room if you are not married, HOWEVER, it is one of the laws that a blind eye is turned to for the tourist trade and therefore it will not be an issue - no one will ask yoiu they will just assume you are.
Tourists are permitted to drink in licensed restaurants, hotels and bars attached to licensed hotels. It is unacceptable and punishable to drink in public places—even beaches. Dubai is incredibly strict about public drunkenness and has zero tolerance for drinking and driving.
In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail. Many foreigners have already suffered the consequences. Do not join the bandwagon. This is considered one of the most important things not to do in Dubai.
Most Dubai hotels don't enforce the "only married couples" rule. Luxury hotels, which often cater to foreigners, are especially relaxed, so chances are you won't have trouble booking a room. At check-in, you'll be required to show your passport, but having different surnames won't raise any eyebrows.
Consensual sexual relationships between a male and female outside marriage where both are over the age of 18 years, including extra-marital sexual relationships, is generally permitted under UAE law.
You may be arrested and tortured for sharing a bed. The above is not true in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Two males sharing a room is not a crime.
Dubai drinking laws
Alcohol can only be consumed in private (such as your own home or hotel) or in licensed public places.
Sharing accommodation in Dubai is not permissible unless the landlord approves it. According to Article 24 of Law No. 26 of 2007, the tenant cannot sublease the property without the landlord's permission unless it is specifically mentioned in the Dubai tenancy contract.
Accordingly, under common law, hotels must accept guests unless there is a reasonable or non-arbitrary reason for rejecting a guest.