Following the news that Dubai Municipality has scrapped the 30 percent tax on alcohol sales, MMI says it will no longer charge for alcohol licenses in the emirate. T

MMI has also confirmed prices in its 21 stores have also decreased by 30 percent.

The changes come into place on Sunday Jaunary 1.

Anyone wanting to acquire an alcohol licence will need a valid Emirates ID (or passport for tourists). Applications can be made at any store.  

Tyrone Reid, group CEO of MMI and Emirates Leisure Retail said: :“Following the announcement by the Government of Dubai to remove the 30 percent municipality tax on sales of alcoholic beverages, we are pleased to announce that this will be reflected across all alcoholic beverage products in all our 21 MMI stores in Dubai, effective January 1 2023.

“Since we began our operations in Dubai over 100 years ago, the Emirate’s approach has remained dynamic, sensitive, and inclusive for all. These recently updated regulations are instrumental to continue ensuring the safe and responsible purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Dubai and the UAE. Our MMI Customer Services Team will be happy to help and support Residents and Tourists with their application.”  

A person must be at least 21 to drink legally in the UAE, and alcohol can only be consumed privately or in licenced public places.