Dubai Tourist Safety Guide — Emergency Numbers, Scams & Hospitals

🚨 Emergency Numbers in Dubai

General Emergency 999 Police 999 Ambulance 998 Fire 997 Alternative 112 Non-Emergency Police 901

Source: Dubai Police (dubaipolice.gov.ae)

Tourist Police in Dubai

Dubai Police Tourist Security Department — 901

Dubai Police run a dedicated Tourist Security service and multilingual support (901 non-emergency line and the Dubai Police app) to assist visitors, including lost property and reporting.

Hospitals & Medical Care

Hospital emergency departments provide high-quality care, but tourists must pay and private care is expensive, so travel insurance is essential. Dial 998 for an ambulance. Private hospitals and clinics have many English-speaking (and multilingual) staff; pharmacies are widely available, some 24-hour.

Embassies & Consulates

Embassies are in Abu Dhabi (the capital); Dubai hosts many consulates, mostly in the Bur Dubai/Umm Hurair and DIFC areas. Search your own country's directory for the nearest consulate.

Find your embassy in United Arab Emirates →

Emergency Phrases

Save these to your phone — CityNav keeps them available offline so you can show or say them even without signal.

English	Local	Pronunciation
Help!	النجدة! (An-najda!)	an-NAJ-dah
Call the police	اتصل بالشرطة (Ittasil bil-shurta)	it-TAH-sil bil-SHUR-tah
I need a doctor	أحتاج طبيباً (Ahtaju tabiban)	AH-tah-joo tah-BEE-ban
Where is the hospital?	أين المستشفى؟ (Ayna al-mustashfa?)	AY-nah al-moos-TASH-fah
I'm lost	أنا تائه (Ana ta'ih)	AH-nah TAH-ih

Common Scams in Dubai

Fake charity or 'stranded traveller' cash requests — decline; use official channels only.
Unofficial taxis or 'limo' touts at the airport — use official RTA taxis or ride apps (Careem/Uber).
Overpriced 'tour' and desert-safari touts — book licensed operators with clear pricing.
Impersonation phone/SMS scams claiming to be police or banks — never share OTPs; hang up and verify.
Gold/electronics 'special deal' pressure in souks — bargain, compare, and get receipts.

Safety Notes for Tourists

Dubai has very low crime and is one of the safest cities for tourists, day and night.
Laws are strict: respect rules on public behaviour, alcohol (only in licensed venues), drugs (zero tolerance) and photographing people/government sites.
Dress modestly at malls, mosques and public places; public displays of affection can cause problems.
Extreme summer heat is the main hazard — stay hydrated and limit midday sun exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions — Staying Safe in Dubai

What is the emergency number in Dubai?

Dial 999 for police (112 also works), 998 for ambulance and 997 for fire. Non-emergency police assistance is on 901.

Is Dubai safe at night?

Yes, Dubai is very safe at night with low crime; the main things to mind are strict local laws and customs rather than personal safety.

What should I do if I'm robbed in Dubai?

Call 999 or the 901 tourist line, report the incident (the Dubai Police app supports this in multiple languages), and cancel stolen cards immediately.

Do police in Dubai speak English?

Yes. Dubai Police widely speak English and offer multilingual tourist support, given the city's very international population.

Last verified: 2026-08-14

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