What is public indecency?
Article 411 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law) punishes whoever publicly commits an indecent act with incarceration or a fine of AED 1,000 to AED 100,000. For a repeat offence the penalty is imprisonment of up to three months and/or a fine of AED 10,000 to AED 200,000.
The same penalties apply to anyone who says or commits anything against public morals. An indecent act with a woman or boy under 18 is punished by incarceration of not less than one year even if not in public.
What about approaching people in public?
Article 412 punishes a man who approaches a female on a public road or frequented place in an indecent manner with words or acts, or who disguises himself as a woman to enter a women-only space, with incarceration of up to one year and/or a fine of up to AED 10,000.
Article 415 punishes publicly making an appeal, singing, shouting or making a statement that is immoral, or prompting others publicly to debauchery, with incarceration of up to one month and/or a fine of up to AED 100,000.
What about obscene materials?
Article 416 punishes manufacturing, importing, exporting, acquiring, possessing or transporting, with the intention of exploitation, distribution or offering to others, writings, drawings, pictures, films, symbols or other indecent materials, and advertising them, with incarceration of up to one month and/or a fine of up to AED 100,000.
Intent to distribute is part of the offence. Possession for private use is a different question that the defence examines carefully.
Why does the circumstance matter so much?
Because a conversation, a gesture or an act that was not intended to be public may be reported as public. The place, the people present and what was visible decide the charge.
For visitors, behaviour that is acceptable elsewhere may be an offence here. Deportation is a possible consequence for foreigners, so take advice early.
What should I do first?
Stay calm and polite with officers
Do not argue.
Do not admit more than necessary
Wait for advice.
Identify witnesses and cameras
They can help.
Ask about residence consequences
For foreigners.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is kissing in public an offence?
Public indecent acts are punished by Article 411. Whether a particular act qualifies depends on the facts.
What is the maximum fine?
AED 100,000 for a first offence, AED 200,000 for a repeat (Article 411).
Is shouting something offensive an offence?
Publicly making an immoral statement is punished by Article 415.
Are indecent images illegal?
Possessing them with intent to distribute is punished by Article 416.
Related guides
Public Order Offences overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewProstitution and Solicitation
What the Crimes and Penalties Law says about soliciting, inciting others, running premises and living off prostitution.
Read the guideConsensual Relations
What the Crimes and Penalties Law says about consensual relations between adults, when a complaint is needed and the rules for pregnancies outside marriage.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 7 September 2026. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.