Dubai's New Lost & Found Law: 48-Hour Rule, AED 200,000 Fines & What You Must Do

Dubai has implemented a comprehensive new legal framework governing lost and abandoned property, replacing previous regulations with stricter requirements and significant penalties. Under the newly enacted Law No. (17) of 2025, all residents, visitors, and businesses must follow specific procedures when discovering lost items, with fines reaching AED 200,000 for violations.

The law establishes a clear, centralized system managed by Dubai Police, aiming to bring transparency and accountability to how lost property is handled across the emirate.

Understanding What Qualifies as Lost vs. Abandoned

The legislation carefully distinguishes between two categories of property:

• Lost Property refers to movable items or money with legal value that an owner has unintentionally lost without relinquishing ownership rights. This category excludes stray animals, which fall under different regulations.
• Abandoned Property covers items or money whose owner has deliberately—or through prolonged inaction—given up ownership claims. Like lost property, this classification also excludes stray animals.

Your Legal Obligations: The 48-Hour Rule

Discoverers of lost or abandoned property face strict deadlines and procedures:

• Report electronically to Dubai Police within 24 hours of discovery
• Physically hand over the items to Dubai Police within 48 hours of finding them
• No usage or claims of ownership are permitted before completing these steps

The law explicitly prohibits keeping, using, or hiding found property, with criminal penalties for non-compliance.

Protection for Property Owners

The legislation safeguards original owners' rights through several provisions:

Owners maintain reclamation rights before property disposal or sale

• If property is legally sold, owners can claim its value within three years of sale
• Multiple claimants require a final court ruling to determine ownership
• Unsubstantiated claims filed after three years from the public announcement will not be considered

Notably, if no owner comes forward within one year of police reporting, the finder may request to keep the property—though they must return it if the original owner later appears with valid proof.

Rewards and Penalties: The Carrot and Stick Approach

To encourage compliance, the law offers incentives for honest behavior:

• Certificates of appreciation for civic responsibility
• Financial rewards worth 10% of the property's value, capped at AED 50,000

Conversely, violations trigger substantial penalties:

• First offenses: Fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000
• Repeat violations within one year: Fines up to AED 200,000

The legislation binds all citizens, residents, businesses, and government entities to cooperate with Dubai Police, requiring prompt reporting and handover of any discovered property.

Why Dubai Introduced These Reforms

The legal overhaul addresses several key objectives:

• Modernizing procedures in a city with high mobility and tourism
• Eliminating ambiguity from previous regulations
• Centralizing authority with Dubai Police for consistent implementation
• Encouraging ethical behavior through balanced reward and penalty systems
• Aligning with broader initiatives to enhance civic trust and public order

Practical Implications for Dubai Residents and Visitors

The new system introduces significant changes to daily life:

• Clear responsibilities for anyone finding lost items
• Standardized procedures across the emirate
• Electronic tracking through Dubai Police systems
• Financial incentives for honest reporting
• Substantial deterrents against keeping found property

Also Read: Indian Buyers of Dubai Property Face Legal Peril from Foreign Loans, Breaching FEMA Laws

Looking Forward

Law No. (17) of 2025 represents Dubai's commitment to creating a structured, transparent environment for handling lost and abandoned property. By establishing definitive timelines, procedures, and consequences, authorities aim to ensure property either returns to rightful owners or is handled fairly when unclaimed.

For the millions of residents and visitors in Dubai, understanding these new regulations is crucial for avoiding substantial penalties while contributing to the emirate's broader goals of enhanced public order and civic responsibility.