6 new Dubai laws in 2025: public holidays, traffic, public health and more

Time Out Dubai

14-07-2025

In a modern city like ours, there are constant updates and changes to rules and regulations that make life ever so slightly better.
A significant number of important Dubai laws have been introduced in 2025, affecting everything from our health to how much time off we'll get.
New traffic laws have been introduced, which could change how you get around the country, and there has also been a major change affecting takeaways that you may not have noticed.
Dubai law: Public health
(Credit: Adobe Express)
First announced in April and set to be rolled out by the end of July, the new Dubai public health law aims to stop the spread of illnesses and put restrictions on travel for those with confirmed communicable diseases.
Travellers must adhere to official health protocols, provide requested information at Dubai's entry points and report any suspected or confirmed communicable diseases.
The new law states that you must refrain from travelling or moving, except to healthcare facilities, without the approval of the Dubai Health Authority.
If you are travelling while ill, then you must observe hygiene measures such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing in line with approved guidelines.
UAE law: Public holidays
A new UAE public holidays law has come into force which should give us all more time off (Credit: Canva)
Introduced on the first day of the year, the new UAE public holiday law established the official days off in the calendar and introduced new rules, meaning that days off could be shifted.
A mix of Gregorian and Islamic Hijri calendar dates and occasions has been established.
While we know exactly when we'll have time off for UAE National Day and New Year's Day, traditional Islamic occasions are less set in stone as they shift by between 10 and 12 days every year.
The new law does, however, state that any occasion, other than Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr, can be transferred to the start or the beginning of a week to give us more long weekends.
In 2025, we've already seen the Islamic New Year holiday moved to a Friday even though the occasion itself fell on a Thursday.
The national public holiday law also states that each emirate is free to add any other public holiday or occasion that it wishes to celebrate with a day off.
Dubai law: Single-use plastic
Dubai banned single use products including plastic cups, straws and stirrers on January 1 2025 (Credit: Adobe Express)
Dubai introduced a major new single-use plastic ban at the start of the year, which has changed takeaway orders forever.
A whole range of products have been banned, including single-use plastic straws, cups and stirrers.
Plastic straws have likely been swapped for paper, stirrers for cardboard and cups will have switched to a more eco-friendly material.
Table covers, styrofoam food containers and plastic cotton swabs have also been banned in the emirate.
It's part of a phased ban on single-use plastics, which saw single-use plastic bags banned in 2024 and will see single-use bowls, plates and cutlery banned from 2026.
Separately, the UAE will ban the import, production and trade of single-use plastic products from the start of next year.
UAE law: Traffic law
The UAE driving age has been lowered (Credit: Adobe Express)
The UAE traffic law got a major update in March.
A lower minimum age for getting a license has been introduced, allowing young drivers to get behind the wheel at the age of 17 instead of 18.
The national law also outlined punishments for driverless car registration, jaywalking punishments and licensing rules.
UAE influencer rules
New rules for influencers have been introduced (Credit: Canva)
The UAE Media Council has issued new regulations which require content creators to get a business licence if they are making money from their online presence.
Introduced on Thursday May 29, the law adds an additional step for influencers in Dubai, having previously only required a media licence from the authority.
However, content creators will be exempt from the fees required for the business licence for the next three years.
The updated system means that there are now a few more hoops to jump through for professional influencers in the UAE.
The new rule is part of a wider framework introduced by the UAE Media Council to ensure that content on digital and traditional platforms is ethical, responsible and high-quality.
Dubai law: Contracting activities
Announced on Sunday July 13 by Sheikh Mohammd bin Rashid, this law will affect contracting work, such as construction, in Dubai.
The new regulation establishes a regulatory framework for contractor classification, oversight, transparency and accountability.
It applies to all contractors operating in Dubai, including those based in special development zones and free zones such as DIFC. It means that there will be changes to how construction of major projects is carried out in Dubai.
However, it will not apply to infrastructure related to either DXB or Al Maktoum International Airport.
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