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| Entry Regulations / General Information |
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Entry for German Nationals |
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Travellers are issued a visa free of charge on arrival, provided they are holding a national passport valid for at least six months from the date of intended departure and confirmed tickets for their return journey.
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Geographical Location |
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) consist of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um al-Qawain, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah (geographical order and official spelling in the UAE).
They are located in the north-eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and are bordered by Qatar and the Arabian Gulf to the north, by the Gulf of Oman and Oman to the east and by Saudi-Arabia to the south and west.
Total area: approximately 90,000km²; Abu Dhabi take approximately 80,000 km² of this area, Dubai approximately 3,900km², Sharjah approximately 2,600km², Ajman approximately 250km², Um al-Qawain approximately 800km², Ras al-Khaimah approximately 1,700km², Fujairah approximately 1,300km².
Administrative divisions: 7 Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah).
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Population |
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Population: approximately 2.1 million (approximately 25 per cent of the inhabitants are locals, 75 per cent are foreigners.
Cities: Abu Dhabi City (officially the capital of the UAE, approximately 400,000 inhabitants), Dubai City 674,000 (Deira is a district of Dubai City), Al Ain (in the Eastern province of the emirate Abu Dhabi), Sharjah City, Ras al-Khaimah Town, Khor Fakkan (seaport in the emirate Sharjah, located on the Indian Ocean).
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Language |
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Arabic; in business and hotels English is spoken and understood.
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Time Difference |
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Central European Time (CET) +3 hours (during the European summer time CET +2 hours.).
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Electricity |
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220-250V alternating current, 50Hz.
Normally three-pin plugs are used. Flat European round-pin plugs may also be used, for round safety plugs an adapter is needed. In many hotel rooms at least one socket is equipped with an adapter (further adapters are available on request). Adapters may also be purchased at low prices in local electric shops and larger supermarkets.
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Postal Service |
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At its offices Emirates Post offer all kinds of postal services. Airmail sent to Europe takes almost one week to arrive (during the Ramadan period longer).
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Telephone |
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The international dialling code for long-distance calls from Western Europe to the Emirates is 00971. For international calls from the Emirates, the prefix "00" must be dialled prior to the relevant country code (in the case of calls to Germany, for example, 0049).
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: police 999; ambulance in Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain and Fujairah 998, in other emirates 999; fire brigade 997.
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Mobile Phones |
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Mobile network technologies: GSM 900/1800.
Information for users of mobile phones registered with German network providers: Mobile phones connected to E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone networks can be used due to international roaming agreements. Travellers intending to use other mobile phones are advised to contact their network provider for detailed information.
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Internet |
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Country code suffix: .ae
High-speed internet connections (Dial, ISDN, ASDL, Circuit, also flatrates) are available almost everywhere at reasonable prices; internet cafés can be found in all cities.
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Public Holidays |
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1 January (New Year), 6 August (anniversary of the accession to the throne), 2 and 3 December (National Holidays); as well as numerous Islamic public holidays, the dates of which change every year. Public holidays falling on a Friday will be made up on the following day or a day off following other public holidays. The working week is from Saturday to Thursday. Please note that from 1 September 2006, the local weekend for public institutions has changed from Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday. Friday is the weekly day of rest.
The main holiday season ranges from July to August. Travellers planning a business trip to the country should make sure that no religious or state holidays are being held during that period as otherwise many locals will be on holiday (this likewise applies to the main holiday season).
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Opening Hours |
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Since 1 September 2006, a new weekend regulation became effective in the United Arab Emirates: Friday and Saturday are weekend days (previously Thursday and Friday). This regulation applies to all state and public institutions.
Banks: Saturday to Wednesday 7a.m.-12p.m. (on Thursday some banks close at 11a.m.), some branch offices of major banks are open also in the afternoon between 4p.m. and 6:30p.m.
Post offices: Major post offices are open Sunday to Thursday 24 hours a day, smaller post offices are closed during lunch break or are open only in the morning. Post office counters are also available at "Emarat" petrol stations.
Shops: Saturday to Thursday 8/10a.m.-1p.m., 4p.m.-6/9p.m., partly until 12a.m.; shopping malls usually until 10p.m. (some shopping malls are open 24 hours a day).
Authorities: Usually Sunday to Thursday 7a.m.-1p.m. in the summer and 8a.m.-2p.m. in the winter months (the opening hours may vary slightly in the individual emirates).
Offices: Sunday to Thursday 8a.m.-1p.m., 4p.m.-7:30p.m., Thurs 8a.m.-1p.m.
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Clothes |
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For the hot months light, airy and easily washable summer clothes. Since all public buildings, hotels, supermarkets etc. are equipped with air-conditioning, always carry light pullovers and jackets. For the winter months also light woolly garments are appopriate for the evenings.
Comfortable shoes. Good sunglasses; protection against sun.
Please note that women should be dressed properly, do not wear sleeveless clothes, also no shorts (this also applies to men) when walking through the city. Bathing and beach clothes at the swimming pool or hotel beach are not a problem. Shorts, blouses/clothes with slim straps and similar clothes should only be worn in hotels.
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© 2001 All rights reserved TIP Gesellschaft für Touristik-Informations-Programme mbH, München Last updated: 14.03.2007 - Proposals, hints and contact - Copyright
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