Updated Regulations for Lost and Abandoned Property in Dubai

Dubai has unveiled a robust new legal framework for managing lost and abandoned property throughout the emirate. Issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Law No. (17) of 2025 replaces outdated regulations, introducing stricter timelines for reporting, precise definitions, and a digital tracking system overseen by Dubai Police.

This legislation clearly distinguishes between lost property—items unintentionally misplaced—and abandoned property, which are valuables deliberately relinquished by their owners. Stray animals do not fall under these definitions.

Dubai Police will serve as the primary authority for receiving reports, securing items, and maintaining meticulous digital records regarding descriptions, dates, locations, and finder details. They will also establish an online platform specifically for documentation and management of these cases.

Under the updated system, individuals who find lost property are required to register it in the Police’s electronic database within 24 hours and must submit it within 48 hours. They are not allowed to use or claim the found item, and contraventions may incur criminal penalties. Official receipts will be provided by the officers upon receipt of property to ensure the handover process is transparent.

The law also specifies procedures for reclaiming items. Owners can reclaim their property anytime before disposal or can claim its value within three years if it has been sold. If property is given away without compensation, the original owner retains recovery rights. Claims post three years from the public announcement are only accepted with valid justifications.

In scenarios of competing claims, property will be awarded based on a final court ruling. Individuals reclaiming items must pay any storage or publication costs incurred by Dubai Police.

New incentives are also included. Police may award a certificate of appreciation or a monetary reward of 10% of the property’s value, up to a maximum of AED 50,000, for those who return found items. Finders of unclaimed property may keep it if no owner is found within a year but must return it if the original owner reappears.

All government and private organizations must comply with Dubai Police directives, including recording and returning found items within specified deadlines. Non-compliance may lead to warnings or fines from AED 500 to AED 100,000, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses within a year, capped at AED 200,000.

Law No. (17) of 2025 replaces Law No. (5) of 2015 and takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, representing a significant overhaul in the management of lost and abandoned property in Dubai.