Can I Kiss My BF in Dubai? What You Need to Know Before Getting Close

• Written by Apr, 23 2025
• 0 Comments

Thinking about holding your boyfriend’s hand or sneaking a quick kiss while exploring Dubai? Hold up—Dubai doesn’t play around when it comes to public displays of affection. Even if you see couples in other cities getting cozy everywhere, this city’s rules are a whole different story.

Dubai actually has laws that can get you in trouble for kissing, hugging, or sometimes even holding hands in public if you’re not married. This might sound wild if you’re coming from somewhere more relaxed, but it’s pretty standard here. People have gotten fines, warnings, and, in rare cases, even spent a night or two in a police station because they didn’t know the rules.

Before you decide to get flirty on the street, in a mall, or at a restaurant, you should really know what’s safe—and what could land you in an awkward (or expensive) situation. There’s a right way to enjoy your relationship in Dubai, and it starts with being smart about when and where you get affectionate. Let’s break down the real deal so you don’t end up Googling lawyers during your vacation.

• Dubai’s Strict Rules About Public Affection
• What Actually Happens If You Break the Rules?
• Tips for Couples Visiting Dubai
• Surprising Facts About Relationships in Dubai

Dubai’s Strict Rules About Public Affection

When it comes to public displays of affection, Dubai laws are way tighter than most people expect. Even simple things, like holding your boyfriend’s hand or giving a quick peck on the cheek, can lead to trouble—especially if you’re not married. Kissing, hugging, and even cuddling in public might sound harmless elsewhere, but here, they can get you fined or worse.

The Dubai Code of Conduct actually says, “Kissing and hugging in public are considered offenses.” There’s a good reason you rarely see couples getting close in Dubai, even at tourist hotspots.

“Public displays of affection, such as kissing and touching, are not acceptable and may lead to arrest.” – Visit Dubai (Official Tourism Site)

It’s not just a scare story. In the past few years, there have been publicized cases of tourists getting arrested for kissing in taxis, at beaches, and even at malls. While the law mostly targets more suggestive behavior, even a simple kiss can be seen as crossing the line if you’re unlucky.

• If you’re not married, the risk is higher—you could get extra attention from security or the police.
• Even married couples are expected to take it easy in public. A handhold or a quick hug might be fine but a kiss can still get you into trouble.

For those visiting with a partner or working as an escort in Dubai, it’s smart to stay aware at all times. If you end up in a private place like a hotel, you’ll usually have more privacy, but anything public—airport, street, restaurant—is risky territory. When in doubt, just wait until you’re back somewhere private.

What Actually Happens If You Break the Rules?

If you get caught kissing your boyfriend in Dubai, things can get messy fast. The city’s not shy about enforcing these laws, no matter if you’re a tourist or a local. Security guards, police officers, and even regular people can report you. So what actually goes down?

First, most situations start with a warning. You might get pulled aside by mall security or a police officer and asked to stop what you’re doing. But this friendly warning can change in a heartbeat if you argue or ignore them. In some cases, you go straight to the police station, especially if you were being openly affectionate or someone made a big deal about it.

If it gets official, you can face:

• A fine. It might be 1,000 AED (around $270) or more, depending on the situation.
• A night or two in jail while they figure out your case.
• Deportation for more serious or repeated cases.

In 2023, there were well-publicized cases where tourists ended up in jail for kissing in public. That’s not typical, but it does happen. The usual story is a fine and a good scare, but you definitely don’t want to risk spending time explaining yourself at a police station.

Check out this table to see what usually happens if you’re caught:

The bottom line: Dubai takes public affection seriously. If you want to avoid a bad story to tell back home (or worse), keep anything romantic private. It’s just not worth the risk.

Tips for Couples Visiting Dubai

If you’re planning a trip with your boyfriend, keep these real-life tips in mind to avoid unwanted drama. Dubai laws pay close attention to how couples behave in public, even in modern-looking spots like malls or beach clubs.

• Keep your kisses private. Public kissing, including on the cheek, can lead to fines or worse. People have been fined up to 3,000 AED (over $800) for a quick peck in public. Save your smooches for when you’re behind closed doors, like in your hotel room.
• Holding hands? If you’re married, holding hands is usually okay—just don’t overdo it. For non-married couples, even holding hands isn’t always safe. There are stories of tourists being warned or even fined, so stay cautious.
• No cuddling in public. Even a simple hug can be risky, especially in family-friendly areas.
• Check your hotel rules. Some hotels may ask for proof of marriage if you want to share a room. Big international hotels don’t usually check, but don’t assume all places are as chill.
• Respect Ramadan. During Ramadan, rules get stricter. Public affection during this time might actually get you reported by locals who are extra attentive.
• Mind your audience. Touristy spots like JBR can feel more relaxed at first glance, but undercover security or even other visitors might still report you if you push the limits.
• Nightclubs and bars are a bit more laid-back, but getting too touchy-feely can still get you booted out or even reported to the police if security isn’t having it.

If you want to relax and be close, pick private places or book a suite with lots of space. Don’t test your luck with public affection in Dubai—the rules really do get enforced, especially if someone complains. If in doubt, play it safe. The last thing you want is to remember your trip for the wrong reasons.

Surprising Facts About Relationships in Dubai

Most visitors expect Dubai to be super strict about dating, but there are some weird surprises about how relationships actually play out here. It’s not all about secret romances or tiptoeing around. Let’s unravel a few things you probably didn’t know about love and dating in this city.

First up, the city has a giant expat community—over 85% of Dubai’s population is made up of people from outside the UAE. That means a mix of cultures, dating styles, and relationship attitudes. Kiss in Dubai might be a risky topic for tourists, but unmarried local couples generally keep things discreet in public, too. It’s about showing respect for the laws, which are based on local traditions and religion.

Not all displays of affection get the same reaction. If you’re in a hotel or an area that mostly serves tourists, staff may quietly ask you to stop rather than call the police, unless things get way out of hand. Shopping malls, beaches, and public transport are much less forgiving—security is trained to spot public affection and step in quickly if they see something.

Dating apps are popular in Dubai, but talking about them openly is frowned upon, and you’ll notice there’s rarely any PDA happening, even between people who met on Tinder. People stick to private meetups if they want to get close, not public spaces. This is important for hookups, casual dates, or if you’re an escort in Dubai—all those relationships can carry real risks if you’re visible in public.

• Sex outside marriage is technically illegal. This applies to everyone—locals, tourists, expats. Hotels don’t usually check, but if things go sideways (think police involvement for noise or a complaint), it can become a legal issue fast.
• PDA covers more than you think: Even a quick peck or holding hands can cross the line in public places.
• Police generally rely on complaints. If nobody cares or reports you, nothing usually happens—but you never know who might get offended or decide to make a fuss.

Take a look at this for quick reference:

So bottom line, Dubai looks modern, but its relationship rules are old-school. If you want to keep things chill and fun with your boyfriend, stick to private spaces and save the PDA for after your flight home.