Dubai has issued a new legal framework that aims to simplify how residents and visitors report, recover, and manage lost or abandoned property. The law, announced as Law No. (17) of 2025, introduces clearer procedures, stronger protections, and meaningful incentives. It also reinforces transparency, while encouraging people to hand in lost items promptly and responsibly. As a result, the system becomes easier for both finders and rightful owners.
Clear Processes, Defined Responsibilities, and Stronger Enforcement
Under the new rules, Dubai Police now oversee the full process of receiving, safeguarding, documenting, and investigating lost items. They will maintain an electronic system that records descriptions, dates, locations, and finder details. The authority will additionally manage storage costs and issue public announcements to facilitate rightful returns. Because the law sets firm timelines, individuals must register found property within 24 hours and hand it over within 48 hours. They are not permitted to use or claim the property, and violations may lead to penalties ranging from Dh500 to Dh100,000. These fines may double for repeat offenses within a year, up to a cap of Dh200,000.
The legislation defines lost property as movable items with legal value that an owner unintentionally misplaces. Meanwhile, abandoned property refers to items an owner has deliberately or implicitly relinquished. Although the definitions are comprehensive, stray animals fall outside both categories.
Individuals who comply with the rules may request to keep an item if the rightful owner does not appear within one year. However, they must still return the item if the owner later presents a valid claim. This approach encourages honesty, while offering a fair pathway for finders.
Rights, Rewards, and the Path to Resolution
Owners retain the full right to reclaim their property before it is disposed of. If the item has been sold by authorities, they can still claim its value within three years. When multiple people dispute ownership, the property or its value is awarded based on a final court ruling. After three years from the public announcement, no claim may be submitted without clear justification. To complete the process, owners must cover storage and announcement costs.
To motivate the public, the law introduces rewards for those who hand in lost items. Eligible individuals may receive a certificate of appreciation or up to 10% of the item’s value, capped at Dh50,000. This incentive strengthens community trust and promotes a culture of responsibility.
The law replaces earlier legislation from 2015, although related regulations remain in place until updated. With this framework now active, Dubai aims to make reporting and recovering lost property more efficient, fair, and accessible for everyone.
