Dubai announces new lost property law: Fines, deadlines and rewards explained

Dubai has introduced a comprehensive new legal framework governing how lost and abandoned property must be reported, stored and reclaimed in the emirate.

Law No. (17) of 2025, issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, replaces the previous 2015 legislation and sets out clear responsibilities for finders, property owners, government entities and Dubai Police.

The Law strengthens compliance requirements, introduces stricter timelines for reporting found items, and authorises penalties ranging from AED500 ($136) to AED100,000 ($27,225), doubling to a maximum AED200,000 ($54,450) for repeat offences.

Dubai lost property laws

The Law defines “Lost Property” as money or movable items of legal and financial value lost without the owner’s intention to give them up, excluding stray animals.

“Abandoned Property” refers to money or movable items of legal and financial value for which ownership has been intentionally or implicitly given up, also excluding stray animals.

Dubai Police are granted full authority to receive reports, take possession of property, store items safely, and maintain comprehensive records detailing item descriptions, dates, locations and finder information.

Police must also establish an electronic system to register lost and abandoned property, announce found items when required, determine storage and announcement costs, and administer the property in line with the Law.

Rules and deadlines

Anyone who finds lost property—except public employees performing official duties—must register it in the Dubai Police electronic system within 24 hours and hand the item over within 48 hours.

The finder is prohibited from using, keeping or claiming the property; non-compliance may result in criminal penalties.

Upon handover, Dubai Police issue an official receipt recording the item description, condition, finder’s details, the date and place it was found, and any other required information.

Owners retain the right to reclaim their property before Dubai Police dispose of it, or to claim its value within three years if the item is sold.

If the property has been given away or disposed of without compensation as permitted by the Law, the owner may recover it from whoever possesses it.

Ownership claims

Where multiple parties claim ownership, the property or its value is awarded to the claimant confirmed by a final court ruling.

No claim may be made without valid reason more than three years after the date the property is announced as found. Owners must pay storage and announcement costs to retrieve the property or its value.

Dubai Police may honour a finder with a certificate of appreciation or a financial reward of 10 per cent of the property’s value, up to AED50,000 ($13,612).

This reward is deducted after disposal and applies whether or not the owner comes forward. Conditions for granting rewards are set by the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

A finder may request to keep a property if the owner has not appeared within one year, subject to rules and safeguards set by Dubai Police. If the owner later claims the property, the finder must return it.

Responsibilities explained

All government and private entities must cooperate with Dubai Police, support implementation of the Law, register found or abandoned property electronically, and hand over items within prescribed deadlines.

Dubai Police may issue written warnings for violations and set deadlines for rectification. Fines range from AED500 ($136) to AED100,000 ($27,225), doubling for repeated violations within a year to a maximum AED200,000 ($54,450).

Law No. (17) of 2025 replaces Law No. (5) of 2015 on the Disposal of Lost and Abandoned Property and annuls any conflicting provisions. Existing regulations remain in force provided they do not contradict the new Law, until replaced by updated decisions.

The Law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.