Dubai has rolled out a major update to how lost and abandoned items are managed, following the announcement of Law No. 17 of 2025 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The new law is designed to create a clearer, more transparent, and more community-friendly process for reporting and returning lost property.
The legislation sets out stronger safeguards for owners, rewards for honest residents, and penalties of up to Dh200,000 for violations.
A clearer system for “lost and found”
Under the new law, Dubai Police will take the lead in receiving, documenting, safeguarding, and investigating lost items. This includes recording key details such as the item description, location, date found, and information about the person who reported it.
Dubai Police will also build an electronic system to log all lost and abandoned property, manage public announcements, and decide storage fees when applicable.
Violations may result in written warnings, followed by fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh100,000. Repeat offences within a year can see penalties doubled, reaching up to Dh200,000.
What counts as lost or abandoned?
The law draws a clear distinction between the two:
- Lost property: Money or movable items of legal value that the owner unintentionally loses, without intending to give them up. Stray animals are not included.
- Abandoned property: Money or movable items that an owner deliberately or implicitly gives up. Stray animals are also excluded here.
Responsibilities of anyone who finds lost property
Anyone who finds an item in Dubai is now required to:
- Register it in Dubai Police’s electronic system within 24 hours.
- Hand it over to Dubai Police within 48 hours.
- Avoid using it, keeping it, or claiming it as their own.
Failing to follow these rules may result in criminal penalties. If the rightful owner cannot be identified after one year, the finder may request to keep the item, subject to Dubai Police approval. However, if the owner eventually comes forward, the item must be returned.
Rights of property owners
Owners are protected throughout the process. They are allowed to reclaim their items before they are sold or disposed of, and if the property has already been sold, they may claim its value within three years.
If multiple people claim the same item, ownership will be determined based on a final court ruling. After three years from the date the item was publicly announced as found, no further claims will be accepted. Owners must cover any storage or announcement costs when reclaiming their property or compensation.
Rewards for honesty
To encourage residents to hand in lost items, the new law allows Dubai Police to issue certificates of appreciation or financial rewards. Rewards may reach up to 10 percent of the item’s value, capped at Dh50,000.
Replacing the 2015 framework
Law No. 17 of 2025 replaces Law No. 5 of 2015. Existing regulations under the previous law will continue temporarily, as long as they do not conflict with the new provisions, until updated regulations are issued.
The new law is effective immediately following its publication in the Official Gazette and marks a step toward a more efficient, fair, and community-driven approach to handling lost and abandoned property in Dubai.
