Here’s the biggest surprise for anyone still Googling this in 2026: the alcohol licence in Dubai is now completely free, and getting one takes about two minutes. The old process – forms, salary certificates, AED 270 renewals – is gone. Here’s how the current rules actually work.
The 2026 Rules at a Glance
- Cost: AED 0. The licence fee was abolished from January 1, 2023, and remains free in 2026 (previously AED 270 per year).
- Residents: non-Muslim residents aged 21+ simply present a valid Emirates ID at licensed stores (MMI or African + Eastern). The permit issues on the spot and is valid for one year.
- Tourists: present your original passport at a licensed store for a free 30-day visitor permit.
- Where it applies: the permit covers purchases at licensed retail stores; hotels, bars, and restaurants serve without you showing a permit.
How to Get Your Licence
- Walk into any MMI or African + Eastern store (or use their apps).
- Show your Emirates ID (residents) or passport (tourists).
- That’s it – the permit registers digitally, usually in about two minutes.
If your Emirates ID details are outdated, sort that first – see our guides to checking your Emirates ID status and updating your linked mobile number.
The Rules That Still Matter
- Age 21+, non-Muslim – both requirements still apply.
- Drink where it’s licensed: consumption is legal at home and in licensed venues; public drinking and drunk-and-disorderly behaviour remain offences.
- Zero tolerance driving: the blood-alcohol limit for drivers is effectively zero.
- Emirate differences: rules vary across the UAE – Sharjah remains dry – so the Dubai permit is a Dubai permit.
Selling Alcohol Is a Different Licence Entirely
The free personal permit covers buying. Trading, distributing, or serving alcohol commercially requires a dedicated alcohol trading licence with approvals that are among Dubai’s most tightly controlled – a genuine business setup project with special approvals, premises requirements, and significant fees.
How Can SetHub Help?
For personal permits you won’t need anyone’s help – it’s free and instant. But if you’re exploring the commercial side (restaurant, retail, or distribution licensing), SetHub can map the approvals, costs, and realistic timelines before you commit. Schedule a call online and our experts will get back to you within one business hour.