Relationships and Displays of Affection Public displays of affection are not welcome in Dubai, though you can hold hands with your heterosexual partner. Kissing and cuddling in public areas can be seen as obscene acts and it is against Dubai's laws for a minor (anyone under 18) to be in a sexual relationship.
It is pertinent to note that cohabitation of unmarried couples is not a crime anymore in the UAE if there are no objections by their legal guardians. Therefore, if you are living with your girlfriend in the UAE, it may not be considered a crime, and there may be no imprisonment or penalties for cohabitation.
In Dubai, dating is common and you can see men and women on dates in the malls or in restaurants. In Saudi, however, there are laws forbidding a woman from standing next to a man. If you live in the Kingdom, dating is forbidden in public for both locals and expats.
Can unmarried couples stay in the same hotel room? 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.
Live Together With Your Partner In Dubai Legally
According to the Dubai government, it's a legal move to cohabitate.
This same rule applies to same sex friends or couples sharing a room. Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Dubai and travellers can be deported. In these situations, it is often best to book a twin bedroom to save any problems.
“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.”
Kissing and embracing in public
The Executive Council has published a code of conduct that lays down acceptable conduct in Dubai. According to the code couples, both married and unmarried, cannot show affection in public places. Kissing and embracing out in the open is strictly forbidden.
Dress code
Women should dress modestly when in public areas like shopping malls. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. Swimming attire should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools. Cross-dressing is illegal.
Sexting in the UAE is against the law.
That also includes nude selfies, as this young couple found out.
Because Emiratis don't date and the idea of dating is considered antithetical to Muslim values, it is strongly advisable that you are very discreet when it comes to public displays of affection or public dating.
The code says that only straight couples who are married are allowed to hold hands in public. Even in the case of married couples, the practice is tolerated, but not encouraged. In theory, you can hold hands in public in Dubai, however, you risk offending the locals and going against their cultural customs.
UAE's laws only recognize heterosexual marriages which have been registered and can be verified with legal certifications if needed.
In the UAE and Dubai, it is against Sharia law to live together, in the western sense, with someone you are not married to. You can only live together with a member of the opposite sex if you are married to them, or they are a family member.
Women can wear any tops, jeans, pants, dresses, skirts, shorts, and casual shoes like sandals or trainers. No flip flops or bikinis. Men can wear any shirts, t-shirts, jeans, pants, shorts, and casual shoes such as trainers.
Yes, women can wear pants in Dubai. You may want to avoid leggings or very tight pants, also because it's usually very warm. Looser clothes will be more comfortable.
Women can wear a maxi dress with sleeves, or a top or shirt with a long skirt, pants or jeans that aren't ripped. Men can wear a shirt or collared t-shirt with jeans or trousers (no shorts or ripped jeans).
Having tattoos is perfectly fine and legal. And if you're asking can you show tattoos in Dubai? Yes you can. Saying that, however, if you have a tattoo that is considered offensive and against the values of the UAE, you may face trouble.
Can you drink alcohol in Dubai? If you're 21 or over, expat or holidaymaker, you can legally drink alcohol in Dubai. However, you will need to purchase alcohol from a licensed premises, such as a shop, and enjoyed in the privacy of your own accommodation.
There are certain things you can't do in Dubai and PDA is one of them. 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.
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.
However, there is no article in the UAE's laws that forbids hand holding even if the couple are not married, unless the act of hand holding itself developed into a crime such as adultery.
Based on the aforementioned amendments of year 2000 in the law, the provision of 'indecent assault' has since been removed. Following this, unmarried couples may now live in the same accommodation and cohabit without marriage in the UAE.