Cheers! Dubai Drops Alcohol License Fee & 30% Alcohol Tax
The move had been described as a one-year trial, though, so there’s a chance that it won’t be permanent.
With expats making up over 80% of Dubai's population, alcohol consumption has always been a topic of discussion in the city, which bases its laws on Islamic customs and standards. Now, it's become just a little bit easier to approach the bar - the emirate has announced that it will drop the 30% municipality tax on all alcoholic drinks in the city. Furthermore, the license that you needed to buy in order to legally purchase alcoholic beverages at all will now be available for free.
The decision follows a series of legal changes that had steadily been loosening restrictions around alcohol, such as approving home delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic or allowing the sale of alcohol during daylight in Ramadan. The move had been described as a one-year trial, though, so there’s a chance that it won’t be permanent (although after the publicity with Qatar and Budweiser during the World Cup, maybe they’ll decide it's better to raise a toast for alcohol tolerance after all?).
The legal drinking age in Dubai is 21. Alcohol can only be consumed in private residences or licensed venues. The license to purchase alcohol can only be obtained if you are over 21 years of age, and have either an Emirates ID or your passport.
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