No, public intoxication is illegal in the United Arab Emirates under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 on the Criminalization and Combat of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, with penalties including fines up to AED 10,000 and imprisonment. The UAE’s 2026 compliance framework under the Ministry of Interior’s Public Decency and Order Regulations further criminalizes disorderly conduct linked to alcohol, even where consumption is permitted in licensed venues. Non-Muslim expatriates holding alcohol licenses face strict scrutiny, as intoxication in public spaces—regardless of intent—triggers immediate legal consequences.
Key Regulations for Public Intoxication in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021 explicitly prohibits intoxication in public, extending liability to individuals visibly impaired by alcohol or drugs, irrespective of prior consumption in licensed premises.
- Ministry of Interior Circular 2024-12 mandates police discretion in detaining individuals for “public nuisance” under intoxication, with mandatory sobriety tests in emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Local Emirate-Level Bylaws (e.g., Dubai’s Law No. 11/2021) impose additional penalties for repeat offenders, including deportation for expatriates and mandatory rehabilitation programs under the National Rehabilitation Program.