If you come across a lost item in Dubai, whether it’s a wallet, jewellery, electronics, or anything valuable, there’s now a new set of rules on what you must do next.
In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. (17) of 2025 regulating how lost and abandoned property should be handled in the emirate.
What counts as lost or abandoned property?
Under the new law:
- Lost Property = items or money that someone accidentally lost, without intending to give them up (not including stray animals).
- Abandoned Property = items or money intentionally left behind by the owner (also excluding animals).
What you must do if you find something
If you find a valuable item in Dubai:
Register it with Dubai Police through their electronic system within 24 hours
Hand it over within 48 hours
You cannot use it or keep it unless officially approved later
Failing to follow the rules may lead to criminal penalties and fines.
Dubai Police will record all details, description, condition, where it was found, who found it, date and time, and store the item safely.
Can the finder receive a reward?
The Dubai Police may:
- Give a certificate of appreciation, or reward 10 per cent of the item’s value (up to Dh50,000)
- The reward can be granted whether or not the owner comes forward.
Can the finder eventually keep the item?
Possibly. If the owner does not come forward within one year, the finder may request to keep it — under conditions set by Dubai Police.
Rights of the original owner
The original owner can:
- Claim their property before Dubai Police dispose of it
- Claim its value within three years if it was sold
- Recover it even if it was handed to someone else, provided the law was followed
If multiple people claim the item, it will be awarded based on a final court ruling.
Penalties
Violations may result in:
Dh500 – Dh100,000 fines (doubling up to Dh200,000 for repeated offences)
Written warnings and mandatory correction deadlines
All public and private organisations must cooperate and hand in lost or abandoned items within the legal timelines.
When does the law take effect?
The law is effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Law No. (5) of 2015.
