A broad new law has been introduced in Dubai to enforce the regulation and protection of found and abandoned property within the emirate, ensuring that there are stringent guidelines that must be followed by Dubai Police and the punishment that can reach up to AED 200,000 for repeat offenders.
Law No. (17) of 2025, which supersedes the prior Law No. (5) of 2015, was issued by his highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and introduces updated reporting processes, clear claim processes, and incentives for responsible finders.
What the Law Covers
The new legal scheme applies to money and movable items of value and legal ownership that are:
- Lost: The owner loses it without any intention to do so.
- Abandoned: A deliberate or inadvertent abandonment.
It is important to note that homeless animals are not covered by either of these categories in this law.
Dubai Police now assumes full responsibility for:
- Managing reports of lost and abandoned property
- Ensuring secure storage
- Maintaining detailed digital records
- Overseeing announcements and return procedures
All data will be streamlined with an integrated electronic system that will streamline the process and make it more transparent.
Rules for Finders: Report Within 24 Hours
Any person who finds any lost property, except government employees in their right line of duty, must adhere to rigid reporting and handover schedules:
- Report electronically within 24 hours
- Submit the item to Dubai Police within 48 hours
Finders are prohibited from:
- Using the property
- Selling or hiding it
- Claiming personal ownership
But in case no owner has asserted ownership of the item in a period of one year, the finder is at liberty to request to retain it. In case the owner subsequently surfaces, the property will have to be returned.
The handovers will be recorded in the form of an official receipt with the details of the item, its condition, and information on who found it.
It also demands cooperation of government and private organizations, as they have to log property in the system and stick to the deadlines.
Penalties: Fines Up to AED 200,000
Violations of these rules will result in stringent penalties:
- AED 500 – AED 100,000 for initial offences
- Doubled fines for repeat breaches within a year, capped at AED 200,000
Authorities may additionally issue warnings and demand corrections within a specified timeframe.
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Owners’ Rights Protected—Finders Rewarded
The law balances accountability with fairness. Owners can:
- Reclaim property before disposal
- Claim its value within three years if the property is sold
- Recover items improperly given away or disposed of
In the event of disputed ownership, only a final court ruling determines who is legally entitled to the property.
To encourage honesty, the law offers rewards to finders:
- Certificate of appreciation, or
- 10% of the property’s value, up to AED 50,000, decided by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police
This reward applies after disposal, whether or not the owner claims the item.
A Modern, Responsible System Now in Effect
Officially, the law No. (17) of 2025 came into effect when it was published in the Dubai Official Gazette and thus provided a more responsible and systematic way of handling lost and abandoned property.
Empowering Dubai Police to have full control and the implementation of digital tracking, reporting deadlines, and penalties equitably and fairly, the UAE keeps reinforcing the trust and the transparency of its population, and the lost property is processed in a lawful, fair, and efficient manner.