Dubai has rolled out a new law on regulating lost and abandoned property. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced Law No (17) of 2025 on Tuesday, 25 November.
According to the new law, ‘lost property’ refers to money or movable items that have legal ownership, but which the owner loses or misplaces without the intention of surrendering them.
Abandoned property, on the other hand, refers to possessions that the owner has intentionally relinquished.
Neither of these apply to stray animals.
Dubai Police play a key role in implementing the new law. They are in charge of receiving reports of the lost item, storing them safely, maintaining records, as well as registering the found item in an electronic system within 24 hours.
Under the new law, anyone who finds the lost property must hand it over to the police within 48 hours. They are not allowed to use, keep, or claim the property as their own, and failing to comply may result in criminal penalties. The finder can request to keep the property in case the owner does not claim it within a year. However, this is subject to rules set by Dubai Police. If the owner later claims the property, the finder must return it. The finder will be rewarded 10% of the property’s value, with a maximum limit of Dhs50,000.
Meanwhile, if the property is already sold, owners may claim its value for up to three years after the sale. The court will make the final call in case of disputes.
Violators will face penalties of up to Dhs 200,000. The law aims to create more transparency in dealing with lost property, thereby benefiting both finders and owners.