Abu Dhabi’s residents no longer require a licence to buy and posses alcohol from licensed retail shops.
Previously, individuals needed a licence to purchase, transport or have alcohol in their homes.
The recent announcement was made by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism. Customers must be at least 21, and the purchase of alcohol must be only for personal use and not for resale.
“We would like to announce the cancellation of alcohol licences for individuals, where residents and tourists will be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licensed retail shops, and are allowed to drink within tourism and hotel establishments, clubs and independent outlets, in accordance with the following requirements,” said the official announcement by the department.
Alcohol is however only required to be consumed only in private homes and licensed areas.
