According to an official circular, which is dated September 15, from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), residents and tourists will no longer require an alcohol license.
The circular titled ‘Implementation of new fees and cancellation of alcohol licenses for individuals’ has been published on the official website for Abu Dhabi’s Department Culture and Tourism.
This step has been taken with an objective to “develop and improve quality standards of the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi”.
Residents and tourists will now be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licensed retail shops and are allowed to drink within tourism and hotel establishments, clubs, and independent outlets as long as they follow the stated requirements.
You have to be 21 or older and you’re purchasing for personal use only. The drinks should be consumed in private homes or licenced venues.
The news only applies to Abu Dhabi so we can assume that Dubai rules remain unchanged. If you wish to purchase alcohol, you can apply for a license online by visiting the website of Mercantile and Marketing International (MMI) or African + Eastern (A+E) retail stores along with a valid Emirates ID.
New applicants must be non-Muslim and over the age of 21 and no longer require a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the employer. The cost of a new licence is Dh270.
