Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Residents and tourists in Abu Dhabi will no longer need a licence to buy or drink alcohol in the capital, authorities announced. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism issued a notice to establisments and retailers that they would no longer be required to ask customers to present an alcohol licence when buying alcoholic drinks. The new rule is applicable to customers who are at least 21 years old and are buying alcohol for personal consumption and not for resale. Alcohol must be consumed at home or in licensed areas only. "We would like to announce the cancellation of alcohol licences for individuals, where residents and tourists will be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licensed retail shops, and are allowed to drink within tourism and hotel establishments, clubs and independent outlets, in accordance with the following requirements," according to the Department of Culture and Tourism. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ Getting alcohol licence in Dubai just got so much easier Dh100,000 fine for illegal clamming in Abu Dhabi
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