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.
Sleeping with your partner – Unless married, sex or co-sleeping outside of marriage is illegal.
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.
Cohabitation without marriage used to be a criminal offence, prior to amendment of Penal Law of UAE which came into force on September 28, 2020. However, after the amendment, it's not illegal anymore.
Marriage contract needs to be registered in a Sharia court in the UAE. Legal age for marriage is 18 Hijri years; otherwise, the judge's approval is required. A spouse's age should not be twice the other; otherwise, the judge's approval is sought. A premarital screening certificate is needed.
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.
“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.”
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.
Under Sharia law only married couples can co-habitate together. It's considered a sin and a crime in the UAE for non-married couples to live under the same roof. My girlfriend and I have booked a trip away to Dubai but we aren't married.
Live Together With Your Partner In Dubai Legally
According to the Dubai government, it's a legal move to cohabitate.
What should tourists wear in Dubai? When visiting Dubai as a tourist, you will be glad to know that the dress code in tourist places and hotels isn't very strict. Men can wear shorts, pants, shirts, or t-shirts. Women can wear dresses, skirts, shorts, and t-shirts, blouses, tops…
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.
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.
Living together with someone is also sometimes called 'cohabitation'. A cohabiting couple is a couple that lives together in an intimate and committed relationship, who are not married to each other and not in a civil partnership. Cohabiting couples can be opposite-sex or same-sex.
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.
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.
The UAE follows the Sharia law, which deems cohabitation among people of opposite genders, who are not married or blood-related, as illegal. However, it is very common seeing unmarried couples living in the same house or friends of the opposite sex sharing apartments, making the subject a grey area.
Liquor licences are not available to non-residents in the other Emirates, but it is possible for tourists and visitors to buy and drink alcohol in licensed venues, such as hotels, restaurants and clubs.
Dubai drinking laws
Alcohol can only be consumed in private (such as your own home or hotel) or in licensed public places.
It does not matter if one party kisses the other on the lips, on the cheek, or in a private place that would get them locked upon any part of the world; kissing is forbidden in public places in Dubai.
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.
As per the Dubai code, holding hands is tolerated in case of married couple, but other public displays of affection is an offense to public decency. Although in theory men and women holding hands is a public display of affection, it may not lead to a problem in Dubai, unless in Sharjah, or if it is Ramadan.
The importation and sale of religious material is allowed; however, attempts to spread Christianity among Muslims are not permitted.
"...it should be noted that disrespecting women and any act against honour and dignity of women is not in accordance with the culture and tradition of the UAE. As per the provisions of Federal Law No.