Dubai has suspended the 30 per cent municipality tax on all alcoholic beverages as well as the personal liquor license fee.
From January 1, 2023 personal liquor licences will be free-to-obtain for those eligible to legally purchase alcoholic beverages in Dubai. A valid Emirates ID, or Passport for tourists, will still be required to apply.
A person must be at least 21 to drink legally in the UAE, and alcohol can only be consumed privately or in licensed public places.
Alcohol sales have long served as a major barometer of the economy of Dubai, a top travel destination in the UAE, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates. During the recent World Cup in nearby Qatar, Dubai’s many bars drew commuting soccer fans.
But, in the October Abu Dhabi’s tourism authority has released a new set of rules for selling alcoholic beverages, and establishments have been given six months to comply.
