Dubai has introduced a new legal framework governing how lost and abandoned property must be reported, handled, and reclaimed, following the issuance of Law No. 17 of 2025 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai.
The Law defines lost property as money or movable items unintentionally separated from their owner, while abandoned property refers to items deliberately given up. Stray animals are excluded from both categories.
Under the updated rules, Dubai Police are granted full authority to receive and store lost or abandoned items, maintain detailed records, and operate a dedicated electronic system for registering and managing these cases. The system will also be used to announce found items and calculate storage and announcement costs.
Anyone who finds lost property must register it in the Police’s electronic system within 24 hours and hand it over within 48 hours. Using or keeping the property is prohibited, and violations may result in criminal penalties. Finders are required to cooperate fully and receive an official receipt documenting the item and the circumstances in which it was found.
Owners can reclaim their property before disposal, or claim its value within three years if it has been sold. No claim may be made after three years of the official announcement, and owners must cover associated costs. If ownership is disputed, the item or its value is released only after a final court ruling.
The Law introduces rewards for finders, including certificates or financial compensation of up to 10 percent of the property’s value, capped at AED 50,000. Finders may also request to keep items if unclaimed after one year, subject to Police approval.
Government and private entities must comply with the new reporting requirements. Violations may lead to written warnings or fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 100,000, doubled for repeat offenses.
Law No. 17 of 2025 replaces the previous 2015 legislation and takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
