Ramadan Rules in Dubai: What UK Expats Need to Know

If you’re planning to move from the UK and pursue your Dubai dream, you’ve probably already thought of this: What’s Ramadan like in Dubai?

Imagine, after a day of fasting, the sun dips behind Dubai’s skyline, and across the city, Muslim families gather around aroma-filled tables with dates, bread, hummus, and other Arabian dishes to break their fasts for Iftar.

And with Dubai being home to one of the world’s most diverse expat communities, with 240,000 Brits and 88% of the population being expats, Ramadan is a cultural rhythm you’ll soon find yourself naturally drawn towards. From slower mornings to communal evenings, Dubai changes its pace this holy month but never stops moving.

So whether you’re relocating to Dubai with your family, visiting here to explore the job market, or launching a business, having a clear understanding of Ramadan rules in Dubai will help you settle in smoothly and respectfully, without the guesswork.

Understanding Ramadan and How it Shapes Culture, Customs & Daily Life in Dubai

‍Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims around the world as a time of fasting, prayer, charity, and community. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking; not just as a religious act, but as a practice of empathy and gratitude.

The month follows the lunar Hijri calendar, which means Ramadan can move each year and can fall in any season, shifting earlier by about 10-12 days annually. As for 2026, Ramadan in Dubai is set to begin from 16th February to 22nd March.

Here’s what the daily flow of Ramadan looks like:

• ‍Suhoor (Pre-dawn meal): The day begins with a light meal before sunrise (often between 4AM and 5AM), allowing people to fuel themselves before fasting till sunset. Many restaurants in hotels offer special Suhoor menus that run late into the night. ‍
• Fasting hours (sunrise to sunset): From the morning call to prayers until the sunset, Muslims in Dubai refrain from eating and drinking. Think of Dubai moving at a gentler pace, with quieter mornings and slower afternoons as people conserve more energy.
• ‍Iftar (Breaking the fast): Sunset means a cannon firing across key locations in Dubai to signal the end of the fast. Families break fasts with dates and water, followed by soup, rice dishes, and regional favourites. Taraweeh (Evening fast): These are special prayers only during Ramadan, held after the night prayer. Streets near mosques become lively, and many families enjoy late-night walks, market visits, or community gatherings.

If you’re a non-Muslim or a UK expat, you won’t be expected to fast, but you are expected to be mindful.  Understanding the Ramadan rules in Dubai will help you blend in, especially during Iftar and prayer times.

Essential Ramadan Rules All UK Expats Should Know

As a UK entrepreneur or professional trying to move to Dubai, you must know celebrations like Ramadan come with a few rules, social cues, and customs that every UAE resident should adhere to respectfully.

Here are the Ramadan rules and customs in Dubai that every British expat should know:

• ‍Prevent eating, drinking, or smoking in public during the daytime: From sunrise to sunset, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public spaces. This includes streets, malls, offices, and even when being inside your car out in broad daylight. This isn’t just simple etiquette; under Article 313 of the UAE Penal Code, openly eating or drinking in public during Ramadan can result in fines or penalties for anyone doing so (up to a month in jail or AED 2,000 in fines). If you want to eat without being in the public view, some restaurants and hotels offer discreet indoor dining areas.‍
• Dress modestly in public spaces: Dubai expects modesty, but even more so during Ramadan. Men and women should both wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees when they appear in public spaces like malls or offices. Beachwear is fine at pools or beaches, but ensure you cover up when leaving.‍
• No swearing or offensive language: Swearing and making rude gestures in public are already penalised in the UAE. But during Ramadan? Sensitivity is heightened. Keep conversations very polite, especially in public spaces, offices, in between traffic hours, or queues.‍
• Keep music low and avoid loud celebrations:
  Ramadan is a reflective month, so loud music, car speakers, and public celebrations are frowned upon. Headphones are fine, and low background music in private spaces is acceptable. Many venues reduce entertainment or keep it muted until after sunset. ‍
• Alcohol permitted only after sunset:
  Most licensed venues begin serving alcohol after Iftar is over. Some places may not serve it at all during the month. Note that public intoxication is illegal anyhow, but during Ramadan, it’s taken even more seriously. ‍
• Expect timing shifts across the city:
  Pre-Iftar rush hour can get hectic because people rush back home to break fasts, and government offices, banks, and businesses close early. After sunset? Dubai slowly gets back to its lively form. ‍
• Respect mosque areas and prayer times:
  Refrain from blocking mosque entrances, especially during prayer times. If traffic pauses briefly for the call to prayer, just wait because it’s normal.

Let’s break down Dubai’s routine changes during Ramadan to help you better visualise:

Making the Most of Ramadan as a UK Expat or Visitor

UK visitors and expats travelling to Dubai during Ramadan get to experience Dubai’s culture at its finest. Once the sun sets, the city comes alive with food, community, and tradition. As a UK entrepreneur or professional, you’ll get a feel of how culture works in Dubai and enjoy it more than you expect.

Here’s how you can make the most of it:

• ‍Join the Iftar culture: If you’re invited to an Iftar by a colleague or business partner, say yes. If you’re relocating and planning to build a business in Dubai, it’s one of the easiest ways to build connections in Dubai and a warm greeting.
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• Explore Suhoor and late-night cafes: Mornings can be quiet, but nights during Ramadan are a sight to behold. Cafes, hotel lounges, and restaurants open late into the night, offering Suhoor menus. It’s perfect for winding down after a day of work or exploration.
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• Experience Ramadan tents and night markets: Go down to Expo City Dubai or Global Village to see bustling tents and markets. You can indulge in traditional Emirati desserts, live cooking stations, henna art, cultural performances, and artisan stalls.
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• Take part in charity: Charity is the core of Ramadan’s spirit, and expats are encouraged to take part, whether through donation drives, volunteering, or community fridges.
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• Family-friendly environment: If you’re moving from the UK with family, your kids get to experience quieter school mornings, community events with other children, and vibrant night markets pouring with sweets and lights.
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• Understand Dubai’s culture more: Respect, family, community, and kindness — all these values intertwine during Ramadan, and it reflects what Dubai truly stands for. If you’re a UK entrepreneur exploring relocation or setting up a business here, Ramadan offers a culturally immersive experience of how relationships and trust are built in the UAE.

Once you decide to plan your life here, you can set up a business with Meydan Free Zone from wherever you are, with a business license in under 60 minutes. mPlus, Meydan Free Zone’s business setup concierge service, handles everything from your applications to visas and residency, letting you land in Dubai in less than a week. Once you’re here? Fitting in will be seamless.

What UK Entrepreneurs and Professionals Should Expect During Ramadan

If Dubai is on your radar as your next place to work, launch a business, or build a team, Ramadan adds a different pace to Dubai if you come here during the Holy month. But the best part? It doesn’t slow the city down.

Here’s what you can expect:

With Meydan Free Zone, you can set up your company in Dubai at any time during the year with a 60-minute Fawri business license, fully digital processing, 2,500+ business activities to choose from (with a Regular business license), guaranteed business bank account support, and a prime business location in Dubai at Meydan Hotel. The result? Your move from the UK to the UAE never hits pause, and your launch in Dubai picks up momentum.

A Confident Start to Your Dubai Move With Meydan Free Zone

Ramadan shows you a side of Dubai that most UK visitors don’t see during their visit. The generosity, the quiet discipline, the community spirit, and the way Dubai balances tradition with day-to-day life. The ultimatum? Dubai keeps being rich with culture and never stops moving forward.

Understanding Ramadan rules in Dubai isn’t just about following restrictions; it’s about understanding the heartbeat and currents of the city you’re about to call home. Once you understand the Ramadan etiquette that British tourists should follow in Dubai, Dubai becomes far easier to navigate as an expat.

And when you’re ready to make the move official, Meydan Free Zone helps you carry that same confidence into your business setup. You go to market in under an hour with just your UK passport, handle everything online, and sort out your residency without delays.

Because once you understand Dubai’s culture, building your Dubai dream becomes the most natural next step.

FAQS

1. Can UK expats eat and drink in public during the day in Dubai during Ramadan?

Yes, but only in private. UK expats can eat and drink freely at home, in private office areas, or inside restaurants that have screened-off dining spaces. What you must avoid is eating, drinking, or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset, as it’s against UAE law during Ramadan. As long as you’re discreet and respectful, you’ll have no issues navigating meals during the holy month.

2. Are restaurants and cafés open for UK visitors during Ramadan?

Many are, but daytime dining becomes more discreet. Hotels, international cafés, and select restaurants remain open and serve non-fasting guests indoors or behind partitions. After sunset, the entire city comes alive with Iftar and late-night Suhoor menus.

3. Do working hours change for UK professionals during Ramadan?

Yes. Across the UAE, working hours are legally reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan for all employees, Muslim and non-Muslim. Most businesses shift important meetings to mornings or after Iftar, when people have more energy. Government offices, banks, and corporate services remain open but may close earlier. With a little planning, UK professionals adapt to the changes very quickly.

4. Is alcohol still available during Ramadan in Dubai?

Yes, but with restrictions. Licensed venues typically start serving alcohol only after sunset, and some may pause service altogether for a few weeks. Drinking in public is illegal year-round, and public intoxication is taken extremely seriously during Ramadan. The best thing to do is drink alcohol responsibly in licensed hotel venues after Iftar and avoid carrying drinks or appearing intoxicated in public spaces.

5. Is it okay for UK expats to attend Iftars or cultural events during Ramadan?

Absolutely. In fact, joining an Iftar is one of the most meaningful ways for UK expats to experience Dubai’s culture. Many colleagues, neighbours, and business partners happily extend invitations; it’s seen as a gesture of goodwill. Hotels also host public Iftar buffets open to all. Just let your hosts break their fast first, follow basic etiquette, and enjoy the hospitality and sense of community that define Ramadan.

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