United Arab Emirates · Practical · 2026
The operational basics
Plug type, voltage, time zone, drinking water, emergency numbers — the answers every guidebook tucks into the back inset. Here as a single card.
Power
Same plug as the UK — UAE adopted British electrical standards. Travellers from continental EU + the US need a UK-style adapter.
Time
The UAE does not observe daylight saving. Year-round +4.
Emergency
Drinking water
Tap water in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is safe per municipality testing and meets WHO standards, but most expats and tourists drink bottled — taste is mineral-heavy due to desalination. Restaurants serve filtered water.
Business hours
Malls 10:00-22:00 Sun-Wed, 10:00-24:00 Thu-Sat. Government services 7:30-15:30 Mon-Thu, 7:30-12:00 Friday. Most shops closed for Friday prayer (12:00-13:30). Restaurants open all day except during Ramadan daylight hours.
Public holidays
Eid al-Fitr (3 days), Eid al-Adha (4 days), Islamic New Year, Prophet's Birthday, Commemoration Day (Dec 1), National Day (Dec 2-3). Eid dates shift annually with the lunar calendar — check before booking. Government closures during Ramadan can shorten daytime hours by 2-3 hours.
Last reviewed .
See also: visa & entry · connectivity & SIM.