United Arab Emirates : Safety by CityThe United Arab Emirates is a federation made up of seven emirates, situated on the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula.
Each of these seven emirates is ruled by its own Sheikh.
Its neighboring states are Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The United Arab Emirates is an amazingly modern country, rich in skyscrapers, malls, top of the line buildings and contemporary roads and public facilities. The biggest mall in the world is located here, so this country is a dream come true to all shopping lovers.
Apart from these modern aspects, UAE is rich with vast sandy beaches and turquoise water that tourists can’t wait to bathe in, and since it’s among the safest countries in the world, the Emirates is filled with visitors.
Warnings & Dangers in United Arab Emirates
OVERALL RISK: LOW
The United Arab Emirates is a very safe country to travel to. Many say that it is among the safest countries in the world, and it is also ranked 31st in the ranking of the safest and most dangerous countries. Overall, safety should not be an issue if you plan on traveling to the UAE.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
There is some risk of an accident happening while you are on the road. Driving off-road is definitely not recommended since it can lead to dangerous accidents. Be sure that your vehicle is well-equipped and that you have enough water with you.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Even though pick-pocketing is expected to be rare since the residents of UAE are mainly foreigners, it still does happen due to the fact that there are as many as 14 million tourist visits a year. It is recommended that you pay attention to your surroundings at all times.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Among the natural disasters threatening the United Arab Emirates are very high temperatures, reaching higher than 50C. Sand storms are also a common occurrence in this country, as well as thunderstorms. If you wish to acquire some more information on natural disasters, visit the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
As mentioned above, UAE is a country where the biggest part of the population is made of foreigners, so occurrences such as mugging and kidnapping is fairly low. Foreigners avoid crime as such because it would immediately lead to them being deported.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Terrorists are still issuing statements threatening to attack the Gulf region. These attacks could be carried out on military, oil, transportation and aviation interests as well as crowded places such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centers, and mosques. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Since this country is known to be rich and prosperous, there are almost no scams in this territory.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Female travelers are faced with the same amount of risk as they do when traveling to European cities, Canada, the USA or Australia. Take normal precaution measures and avoid being in dark areas and walking down the streets late at night.
So... How Safe Is United Arab Emirates Really?
The UAE is very safe to travel to.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t any crime, there is, but tourists are rarely targeted.
More often than not, violence in the UAE is domestic in nature.
The reason it is so safe is that most of the people (employees) in UAE are from other countries, and most locals are pretty well off so they’re probably not going to pickpocket you.
Apart from that, the fact that the majority of people you’ll interact with are foreigners means that if they try to commit any crime, they will immediately get deported, and that fact alone prevents crime.
The biggest risk you might encounter when it comes to street violence and crime is pick-pocketing.
Among the risks that you should take into account when you plan on traveling to UAE, are natural disasters such as sandstorms and thunderstorms, and a constant risk of a terrorist attack, mainly in the Gulf region.
How Does United Arab Emirates Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 79 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Austria | 92 |
| Croatia | 83 |
| Botswana | 77 |
| Finland | 86 |
| Spain | 83 |
| United Kingdom | 77 |
| New Zealand | 90 |
Useful Information
Visas
Visa is not required for any stays shorter than 30 days. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the day of your return. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
Dirham is the official currency in the United Arab Emirates. Dirhams have a constant exchange rate, in which 3.67 = 1 USD. This is the only currency that never fluctuates and is constant.
Weather
With extremely high temperatures that go as far up as 50C, the United Arab Emirates is infamous for its very hot spells. The hottest months are from June to September, so if you're planning your trip during those months, be sure to avoid direct long-term sun exposure and drink a lot of fluids.
Airports
The largest airports in the country are in Dubai (Dubai International Airport) and Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi International Airport). The most famous UAE airlines are Emirates and Etihad Airways. Visit JetRadar for cheap flight deals.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to the United Arab Emirates, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
United Arab Emirates Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 24 | 25 | 28 | 33 | 38 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 39 | 35 | 30 | 26 |
| Low °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 21 | 17 |
| High °F | 75 | 77 | 82 | 91 | 100 | 104 | 106 | 108 | 102 | 95 | 86 | 79 |
| Low °F | 59 | 61 | 64 | 72 | 79 | 82 | 86 | 88 | 82 | 75 | 70 | 63 |
United Arab Emirates - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 82 |
| Dubai | 80 |
Safe city
Im resident od Dubai 9 years.
I can say thati is one of the safest city , where the people are very respectful and although has beautiful attractions to visit.
yes true
Pretty safe
You are quite right! If you are ok, at least, with minimum of the local rules/traditions, it is your chance to experience how it is to be in safe as a foreign traveler
Safe city
Im resident of Dubai 9 years.
I can say that is one of the safest city , where the people are very respectful and although has beautiful attractions to visit.
Hope to visit soon
thank you, I hope to travel to the UAE in the next year or two. I want to come for the Christmas and New year holidays. Is there alot to do on these holidays? Im very impressed how far the US dollar goes there. The exchange rate is fantastic! making for a 5 star vacation at a 2 star price for U.S. Citizens.
Don’t be fooled by tourism ads
No Westerner should set foot in the UAE. Women get assaulted there. The mere accusation of you being LGBTQ true or not will get you in trouble. Premarital sex is illegal. I can go on and on. Please stay away from the UAE. You want safety, luxury and hot beaches, visit Monaco. The smallest Tweet will get you in hot water with UAE authorities. Read about all the human rights violations online. Do. Not. Go. There.
I live in the UAE and I am originally from Belgium. I have never felt safer than in Dubai. Nothing has ever happened to me or to anyone I know.
I live in the UAE and what you are saying makes no sense.
Its a safe country
What are you even saying I’ve been in the UAE for more than 15 years and neither of what you said is true.
I live there, OMG, susan have you visited UAE. There is no such things you saying. I been living there the last 7yrs years. There its one of the most beautiful cities around he world. Dubai.
...
Westerners are the biggest murderers out there, it’s rich coming from Anglo-Sax teach human rights values, The amount of illegal invasion of bogus crap. Get a grip!
Last year in Dubai I found it extremely expensive to tame my roaming charges. Do not make mistakes!
Safe Country (and pretty wonderful too)
Great place. Since a large amount of their income comes from tourism, every time I visit it feels safer and easier to visit. I’ve visited UAE about 3 times in the last 8 years or so and my last visit being in early 2019. Never felt like I was in any danger and since the majority of the population are foreigners I feel like they don’t go looking for trouble by causing too many crimes (domestic or otherwise).
The roaming charges will eat through your pocket and the taxi service can be expensive. I would suggest renting a car to go about as you can use the GPS in the car or in your phone to go around town. Overall had many great experiences and would recommend to those trying to visit the Middle East for the first time.
F*** this place
I’m sure it’s wonderful but they have terrible human rights violations so…
who is saying that, you have to go and see it with your own eyes and than judge don’t just listen to others.
Ram, try saying that to Princess Latifa, if you can find her and she’s still alive.
So Wikipedia is lying about the laws against being LGBTQ+? That dressing feminine as a trans person with a male sex won’t get me in trouble? I’ve read that a trans tourist were arrested and sent to 1 year in prison for dressing in feminine clothes because they are trans.
Wikipedia is random people bs
If you don’t like the law of the land then don’t visit…
dont mess with arabians
No, I am from Abu Dhabi and I visit Dubai a lot and sometimes stay there for days and nothing such as human rights violation is in there so yes be careful what you say.
My expriance
M going 3 times & i love dubai very safe country i hav no any bad experians very safe country 4 all the people who like peace
1 went in 2014 what a experience the high skyscrapers the malls the trains totally the best evan the airport is like a palace was with my aunt daughter and niece there was only one problem a wasnt there long enough am planning on going again take my son for his 30th birthday 🙂
Not on your life
It is very scary. With all the prostitute and being accused of drinking and having sex out of wedlock. It’s no wonder there are so many compound bring hidden. They have money to squash complaints. All the other comments were bought. It is a Muslim country no matter what people say.
George you been there!
Clearly, you’ve never been here
Dude I am a Muslim so what!!! U think we’re murderers just because a couple of people kill. Would u like me to say Christianity sucks just because hitler was a Christian and he started the biggest genocide ever.
I agree with u, we can’t say that Muslims are bad nor is any other religon
So according to this site, the UAE is safer than the USA? Not even close…
yes its very safe!
yes
yes it is safer
Well the USA has a massive gun crisis, robberies and etc and they faced more terrorism than UAE had so yeah UAE is much safe than the USA by a mile.
USA? Really?
USA? Really? I don’t know of a less safe country in the world than USA domesticly speaking. Political situation and war in UAE might be a risk, if you wanna talk about that, but USA started and executed most wars anyways so… USA is the only country in the world I have no interest in visiting, cause there is risk around every corner, not from my personal experience, but I know quite a few people that lived there for months, and they all have the same story, so yeah USA, the last place I would go if I wanted safety…
is good
Is too safe
UAE is best in the world
I am an expat living in UAE for last 10 years.
I am very proud and blessed to stay in such a beautiful and safest country in the world.
You can go out any time of the day or night and you will always be safe.
UAE is safe for every person living here, be a man or woman or a child.
All the other countries in the world should learn from UAE.
one of the safest countries ever
Its really safe specially Abu Dhabi , where you will find a police monitoring cameras everywhere. EVERYWHERE ! your safety is priority to authorities where they really take a serious action to protect all people no matter who they are !
crimes are rare , close to say to crimes at all
locals are kind just respect them and they will be happy to help if you needed. if you got any issue just approach them and they wont disappoint.. at least they will guide you .. identifying locals is easy.
Food poisened in Andaz Abu Dhabi
I got food poisend in Abu Dhabi in Five-Star-Andaz Hotel. I was 2 weeks in hospital and Hotel offered a free weekend ….
They seem not to be too careful with food hygiene.
outside all is beautiful, but inside many problems!
Love it
I have been here for more than 8 years and I definitely feel a lot safer in Dubai than in many other European countries (and I am from Central Europe)
I have not visited UAE, but would anyone like to tell me about it’s hot temperature experience?
Not safe for gay people
Gay people are often subject to death penalty do not go if you are gay
Great but not really
Never been there but i do know they are prejudice and harsh against gays and lesbians they will sentence you to death if you are attracted to the same sex that is so shit don’t go