Is drug use or personal possession a crime in the UAE?
Yes. Article 12 of Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances prohibits addiction to, or personal use of, narcotics and psychotropic substances, except for treatment under a prescription from the treating physician.
Taking more than the dose in a prescription is also covered. Article 41 applies to personal use "in circumstances other than authorised, or in doses more than specified in the medical prescription". So a lawful prescription is a defence only to the extent it covers what was taken.
What is the penalty for personal use?
Under Article 41 a first offence carries imprisonment of no less than three months or a fine of AED 20,000 to AED 100,000.
A second offence within three years carries imprisonment of no less than six months or a fine of AED 30,000 to AED 100,000. A third offence or more carries imprisonment of no less than two years and a fine of no less than AED 100,000. Article 41 covers the substances in Schedules 1, 2 and 5 and the plants in Schedule 4, with the exceptions the article lists. Cannabis and its extracts are dealt with separately in Article 42: a first offence carries imprisonment of no less than three months or a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 100,000, and the minimums rise for repeat offences. These are statutory minimums for imprisonment. The court decides the actual sentence.
Can treatment replace a prison sentence?
Sometimes. Article 45 allows the court, except in cases of recidivism, to place a convicted person in a treatment and rehabilitation unit instead of imposing the penalties in Articles 41 to 44.
The court first takes the opinion of the Supervising Committee, which reports on the person's condition. Placement is not allowed for someone who was previously placed in a unit under an earlier ruling, or who has not been released from one for more than three years.
What if I am a visitor carrying something for personal use?
Article 42 bis creates a separate rule for people who are neither UAE citizens nor legal residents and who enter by land, sea or air with a substance for personal use. The fine is AED 5,000 to AED 1,000,000.
Medically authorised cases are excluded. The Council of Ministers sets the fine within that range by the type and weight of the substance and by how often the person has been caught, and it can also set when a person is prohibited from entering the country. Check the exact amounts before you travel.
What should I do first?
Do not make admissions before advice
What you say about use or possession is recorded and relied on.
Gather any prescription
Prescription, doctor's letter and the original packaging help to show what was authorised.
Ask about treatment early
If treatment is realistic, it needs to be raised before sentence.
Call us at any hour
A lawyer can attend the police or prosecution interview with you.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is a first offence always prison?
No. For a first offence under Article 41 the law gives the court a choice between imprisonment of no less than three months and a fine. Which applies depends on the court and the circumstances.
Does a prescription from abroad protect me?
Not automatically. The law's exception is for treatment under a prescription from the treating physician, and a medicine can be controlled in the UAE even if it is routine elsewhere. Take advice before you travel with any medication.
Will a foreigner be deported for personal use?
Article 75 applies to any crime in the law, which includes use offences. See our guide to deportation after a drug conviction for the two exceptions.
What counts as a repeat offence?
Article 41 raises the penalty where the act is repeated within three years, and again for a third offence or more.
Related guides
Drug Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewTrafficking and Supply
How UAE law treats importing, producing, possessing and supplying controlled substances, and why quantity and intent shape the whole case.
Read the guideDeportation
Article 75 requires the court to order deportation of a foreigner convicted of a drug offence, with two narrow exceptions. Here is what they are and what to prepare.
Read the guideSources
Source: official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 1 October 2025. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.