Ras Al Khaimah has officially lowered the legal drinking age in the emirate from 21 to 18, aligning local alcohol regulations with recent changes to federal law in the United Arab Emirates.

The update was confirmed in a circular issued by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority to industry stakeholders on Wednesday, January 14. According to the notice, the minimum legal age for the serving and sale of alcoholic beverages has been reduced to 18 and is already in effect, retroactively applied from January 1, 2026.

The move follows a federal announcement made on the first day of 2026, when the United Arab Emirates revised its Civil Transactions Law to lower the age of majority from 21 to 18. As a result, Ras Al Khaimah updated its alcohol regulations to match the new legal definition of adulthood.

In its statement, the authority said that as the body responsible for regulating the handling, serving and sale of alcohol under Law No. 4 of 2021, it has aligned the minimum legal drinking age with the updated federal framework.

Despite the change, officials stressed that existing alcohol regulations remain firmly in place. Alcohol consumption in Ras Al Khaimah is still permitted only at licensed venues such as hotels, bars and restaurants, or at private residences using alcohol purchased from licensed retailers.

Public consumption of alcohol remains prohibited, and enforcement rules governing licensing, sales and responsible service have not been relaxed. Authorities emphasised that the update adjusts only the legal age threshold, not the broader regulatory framework.

The decision is expected to have implications for the emirate’s hospitality and tourism sectors, particularly as Ras Al Khaimah continues to position itself as a growing leisure and resort destination within the UAE.