The federal rule: consumer law, article 26
The main Arabic requirement for business sits in the consumer protection law. Article 26 of Federal Law 15/2020 reads: 'The data, advertisements, and contracts related to the Consumer shall be made in Arabic, and other languages may be used in addition to Arabic.' The official Arabic text prevails if translations differ.
Three more provisions in the same law matter for marketing:
- Article 8(4): the invoice to a consumer is in Arabic; the supplier may add other languages.
- Article 25: UAE-registered suppliers in e-commerce give consumers adequate information in Arabic about the product or service, its specifications and the terms of contract, payment and warranty.
- Article 3: the law covers all goods and services in the UAE, free zones included, and e-commerce when the supplier is registered in the UAE.
The rule asks for Arabic, not Arabic only. An English or Russian ad with a full Arabic version alongside meets the text of article 26.
The fines
Two layers of penalty apply, and they are easy to mix up.
| Breach | Administrative fine (Cabinet Decision 66/2023) | Criminal penalty (Law 15/2020, art. 30) |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer data, ads, contracts not in Arabic (art. 26) | AED 100,000 | Up to 6 months and/or AED 3,000–200,000 |
| Invoice not in Arabic (art. 8(4)) | AED 100,000 | Up to 6 months and/or AED 3,000–200,000 |
| E-commerce product particulars missing (CD art. 40) | AED 100,000 | — |
Sources: Cabinet Decision 66/2023, Addendum 2; Law 15/2020, article 30.
The Ministry of Economy applies administrative sanctions in steps: a notice, then the fine, which doubles on repetition, then temporary closure or suspension of activity for 24 hours to 90 days, and finally revocation of the licence. The criminal penalty in article 30 needs a court and also doubles for a repeat offence.
We found no published statistics on how often the Ministry has fined companies for missing Arabic. Lack of data is not lack of risk: a single complaint can start the process.
Online shops: Arabic product information
The executive regulation adds detail for e-commerce. Article 40 of Cabinet Decision 66/2023 asks online sellers to show, clearly and legibly, the producer and importer, the product's ingredients and quantity, country of origin, production date and shelf life, risks of misuse, return terms and storage instructions. The detailed statement of ingredients and specifications must be 'in its original language in addition to Arabic language'.
The newer e-commerce law, Federal Decree-Law 14/2023, requires published prices, terms and a digital invoice. The standards in its article 5 do not mention language, so the Arabic duty for online sellers comes from the consumer law and its regulation.
For a shop this means Arabic product pages, prices, delivery and return terms, and checkout. We price this work in how much a website costs in Dubai.
Dubai outdoor ads: the 50% rule
Billboards, shop signs, vehicles, leaflets and other physical media in Dubai follow a stricter emirate rule. Article 11(7) of Dubai Decree 6/2020 obliges permit holders to:
- make Arabic the main language of the advertisement;
- give the Arabic text at least 50% of the advertising medium;
- place it in the upper section or on the right-hand side;
- keep it free of grammar and spelling mistakes.
The decree's definition of 'Advertising Medium' covers boards, fences, balloons, vehicles, boats, stickers, maps and leaflets, and expressly excludes newspapers, magazines, periodicals, websites, radio, television and cinemas. Violations of the decree carry fines of AED 1,000 to AED 15,000, doubled for a repeat in the same space within a year, with a cap of AED 30,000.
The 50% layout rule does not reach your website or your Instagram feed. Article 26 of the federal law still does whenever the content is advertising aimed at consumers.
What the law does not clearly require
Five cases cause most of the confusion. Here is what the texts say and where they stop.
- Websites and the 50% rule. Not required. Dubai's decree excludes websites from 'Advertising Medium'.
- English next to Arabic. Allowed. Article 26 permits other languages in addition to Arabic.
- A pure B2B website. Unclear. The law defines 'Consumer' as any physical or juristic person who obtains a good or service, so a company can be a consumer. We found no Ministry guidance that exempts B2B sites, so we don't treat them as safe.
- Social media posts. The law does not name channels. A post that promotes a product to consumers is an advertisement in plain reading, so article 26 applies on paper. We found no official guidance or published case on Instagram or TikTok posts. Influencers who post them also need an Advertiser Permit.
- App store listings. Neither Apple nor Google requires Arabic; App Store Connect supports Arabic metadata. If the app sells to consumers, article 26 applies to its prices and terms. See publishing an app as a UAE company.
The draft Arabic Language Law
In April 2026 the Ministry of Culture presented plans for the UAE's first dedicated Arabic Language Law to the Federal National Council. According to Khaleej Times, the draft would require Arabic in all visual, audio and written advertisements and promotional campaigns directed at the public. The National adds Arabic translation at public conferences and Arabic speakers in customer-facing teams, with incentives and phased penalties.
Where the sources disagree
The timing differs. Al Bayan quoted the Ministry on 29 April 2026 saying the law and its executive regulation would be issued this year. On 28 May 2026 The National reported the law is 'due to be introduced next year' and in early stages. Some agencies call it a 'charter'. As of 13 October 2026 we found no published law number, text or start date, so it creates no obligation yet.
A checklist for your business
| Material | Arabic needed? | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer invoice | Yes | Law 15/2020, art. 8(4) |
| Consumer contract, terms | Yes | Art. 26 |
| Ads aimed at consumers, any channel | Yes, alongside other languages | Art. 26 |
| Online shop product pages | Yes | Art. 25; CD 66/2023, art. 40 |
| Billboard or sign in Dubai | Yes, at least 50%, top or right | Decree 6/2020, art. 11(7) |
| Website layout under the 50% rule | No | Decree 6/2020 excludes websites |
| B2B website | Unclear | No official guidance |
Use a native Arabic copywriter, not machine translation. Dubai's decree fines grammar and spelling mistakes on outdoor ads, and an error in a consumer contract can be argued against you.
