If you’re planning a trip to Dubai, there are certain things you need to keep in mind, and you should do your research beforehand. Do you need a visa to enter Dubai? What are the customs regulations in the United Arab Emirates? These are important questions, and you’ll find the answers in the following guide.
Which month is the best time to travel to Dubai?
During the summer months, Dubai offers its visitors a range of discounts. Hotels lower their prices, restaurants feature affordable dishes on their menus, and tickets to attractions can also be a great deal.
Most tourists plan their trips to Dubai from Germany between November and March. This is due to the local climate. In the summer, it gets very hot, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. Outdoor activities are virtually impossible during the day. In the winter months, Dubai offers pleasant temperatures and ideal weather for swimming.
Do you need a visa for Dubai?
German citizens staying in Dubai for less than 90 days do not need to apply for a visa to enter Dubai. They are issued a visitor visa upon arrival. One requirement is that the stay in the emirate be solely for tourism or business purposes.
During a visa-free stay, you are not permitted to take a job in Dubai. It does not matter whether the work is paid or unpaid. Upon request and for a valid reason, the length of stay may be extended beyond the standard 90 days.
What documents are required to enter Dubai?
German citizens who wish to enter Dubai must present the following documents:
- Passport
- Child’s Passport
The passport must be valid for at least another six months. The deadline is the date of entry into the United Arab Emirates. A photo is required for a German child’s passport to be accepted. Extended-validity child’s passports are not always accepted. You should expect to be denied entry at the border or by the airlines. Such incidents have been reported upon entry into Dubai.
The following documents do not authorize entry into the UAE:
- temporary passport
- temporary ID card
- Identification Card
One of the newer regulations is that entry is no longer permitted with a temporary passport. A regular, biometric passport is required because a biometric eye scan is performed during passport control.
In addition to Germany, visa-free entry for tourists also applies to the following countries:
- France
- Finland
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Hungary
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Poland
Anyone with multiple nationalities must use the same document for departure that was used for entry. New children’s passports have not been issued since January 2024. If a passport or child’s passport is lost while staying in Dubai, the UAE will issue a replacement in the form of a travel document or a temporary passport. This allows individuals who were temporarily in the country to depart from the United Arab Emirates. However, re-entry is not permitted.
This can be important, for example, when taking a cruise that passes through several countries. Anyone hoping to receive assistance with passport matters from German diplomatic missions in the Emirates can only do so after entering Dubai. This is not possible within the international transit area.
Special Features
In order for the United Arab Emirates to grant entry, your passport must contain the following entries:
- “M” for male
- “F” for female
If the date of birth listed in the passport is incorrect or if the traveler’s full name is missing, entry will not be granted. In such cases, the trip usually ends as soon as the traveler checks in at the airport in Germany.
How do you get a work visa in Dubai?
To stay in Dubai for an extended period and take up regular employment, you must apply for a work visa. There are some new regulations in this regard. For example, since February 2018, a police clearance certificate has been required as part of the application.
Before a work visa can be issued, an employment contract must be signed with a company based in Dubai. The employer applies for the entry permit. This is followed by applications for a work permit and a residence permit.
The process includes additional steps, which are listed in detail here:
- Signing an employment contract: A work visa for Dubai will not be issued without a job offer and the signing of an employment contract.
- Obtaining an Entry Permit: The employer must apply for the entry permit. The authorities in the free zones or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) are responsible for this.
- Medical Examination: The medical examination must be conducted by a clinic in Dubai and must therefore take place after entry into the country. The examination may include blood tests and X-rays of the torso.
- Applying for an Emirates ID: You can apply for an Emirates ID after passing a medical examination. This document is required not only to start a job, but also to open bank accounts or rent an apartment.
- Work Permit and Residence Permit: The employer issues the work permit and handles the application for the residence permit. The residence permit is usually tied to the employment contract and must be reapplied for if there is a change in the employment relationship.
- Visa Stamp: Visas are no longer stamped in passports. Since 2022, they have been recorded in the Emirates ID.
Entering Dubai – Planning Before Your Trip
If you plan your trip to Dubai a few weeks before departure, you’ll be well prepared and won’t run into any unpleasant surprises because you forgot something important.
The following points should be taken into account
Finance
In Dubai, Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most locations. Other credit or debit cards are often declined. Banks follow different policies, and there are significant variations in the fees charged for using credit cards abroad. If you arrange for a card without foreign transaction fees in advance, you can save money. If you prefer to pay with cash, you should compare the current exchange rates.
Luggage
If you’re planning only a short trip, you might be able to get by with just carry-on luggage. When checking luggage, be sure to follow the airlines’ guidelines. Make sure there’s enough space in your suitcases and bags. If you’re planning extensive shopping trips in Dubai, you’ll have significantly more luggage on your return trip and should plan accordingly.
Clothing
Choose appropriate clothing based on the time of year. During the summer months, lightweight clothing made of breathable fabric is essential. Be sure to pack sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. In winter, it can get cooler in the evenings. Thin sweaters and a lightweight functional jacket for possible rainy days should be included in your suitcase.
Cell phone
Don’t travel without a cell phone. Before you go, make sure the device will work in Dubai. This is usually the case for cell phones with a SIM card. Affordable roaming plans from carriers help keep costs down. If the phone isn’t locked to a specific SIM provider, you can purchase a visitor SIM card at the airport.
Medications
Anyone who relies on medication must continue to take it regularly while in Dubai. When entering Dubai, you are allowed to bring a supply of medication for up to three months. However, some medications are prohibited from being imported.
What’s the best way to get to Dubai?
Several airlines offer flights to Dubai from Germany. From Frankfurt am Main, you can fly nonstop to Dubai with Lufthansa and Emirates. Emirates also offers direct flights from Hamburg, Munich, and Düsseldorf.
The flight time from Germany to the United Arab Emirates is between six and seven hours. When planning your trip, keep in mind that Dubai does not observe daylight saving time, so the arrival time is one hour earlier during the summer months.
Immigration Control
Passport control upon entry and exit includes a biometric iris scan. Drug screening is also conducted at airports. Even small amounts of less than 0.1 gram are strictly punished and carry long prison sentences.
Anyone entering Dubai alone who is suspected of having an immigrant background should expect to be questioned by the Emirates’ security authorities. In some cases, travelers may be denied entry. In such cases, travelers should expect longer wait times and are not permitted to leave the transit area.
Accessible Travel
Those planning to travel with accessibility needs will find numerous amenities at Dubai’s airports. In addition to accessible restrooms, people with disabilities have dedicated check-in areas and receive priority when checking in their luggage.
Free parking spaces are available for wheelchair users. Passengers with visual or hearing impairments can request a buggy transfer and personalized airport assistance. People with autism and other invisible disabilities can also receive on-site support. It is important to notify the airlines of these needs in advance.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Entry and Customs Regulations
Travelers entering Dubai may carry up to 400 cigarettes in their luggage. They may also bring 50 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco. The import of alcoholic beverages is limited to four liters.
Minors under the age of 18 are not permitted to carry cigarettes or alcohol in their luggage. The importation of weapons, counterfeit money, or drugs is strictly prohibited. Pornographic material may also not be brought into Dubai. In this regard, it is not uncommon for the covers of magazines and periodicals to be considered pornographic if the people pictured are dressed in a revealing manner.
Various medications may not be brought into Dubai without proof of a doctor’s prescription.
Strict import regulations apply to:
- Antidepressants
- Narcotics
- Psychotropic drugs
- Antipsychotics
Products containing CBD oil are also prohibited. Hemp oil is strictly prohibited in the Emirates, even if the products are made from industrial hemp and do not contain any intoxicating substances.
When re-entering Germany, the European customs regulations for non-EU countries apply.
Travelers 17 years of age and older may bring in the following items:
- one liter of spirits
- two liters of alcoholic beverages (maximum alcohol content of 22 percent)
- four liters of wine
- 16 liters of beer
You may also bring in 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars. You may also import 250 grams of tobacco and 100 cigarillos. Jewelry or clothing with a value of up to 430 euros may be imported into Germany by air or sea without incurring customs duties.
Cash amounts up to 10,000 euros are not subject to customs regulations. The import of archaeological finds, coral, or shells is prohibited.
Vaccination Protection
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for passengers from Germany entering Dubai. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required if a person has been in a yellow fever-endemic area. This also applies to layovers of more than twelve hours during transit and is valid for all persons nine months of age or older.
Various vaccinations may be recommended for entry into Dubai. This includes a vaccination against hepatitis A and, depending on additional indications, vaccinations against hepatitis B and dengue fever. Before traveling to Dubai, you should verify that you have received all standard vaccinations. This should be done using the STIKO vaccination schedule.
Infectious Diseases
In 2018 and 2019, cases of dengue fever were reported in Dubai for the first time. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and occurs during the winter months, when rainfall increases. This is the peak travel season for tourists from Germany.
Depending on the time of year and your destination, you should consider getting vaccinated in advance. Once you’re there, be sure to use mosquito repellent consistently. Mosquito repellent should be applied regularly. You can also protect yourself by wearing appropriate clothing.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is extremely rare in the United Arab Emirates. The disease is transmitted by ticks. In the urban areas of Dubai, infection is virtually impossible. If you visit rural areas of the emirate, it is advisable to check yourself thoroughly for ticks afterward.
Getting Here
There are two international airports to choose from when traveling to Dubai. Dubai International Airport (DXB) opened in the 1960s. Today, it is one of the busiest airports in the world.
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is located in the newly developed Dubai South district. The project is not yet complete and is expected to eventually offer residential areas, shops, and recreational facilities across an area of more than 6.5 million square kilometers.
If you’d like to take a taxi after arriving at the airport, you can expect fairly reasonable rates. The fare is approximately 2.14 AED per kilometer. Depending on the provider, base fares range from 10 to 25 AED. You should book a rental car well in advance of your arrival in Dubai. It’s recommended to make arrangements about three months in advance. Rental cars in Dubai cost about 33 euros per day.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com – AndrewLozovyi (Evgen Boyko)
