May 2026 brings a handful of changes to daily life in Dubai — some affecting how you get around, some affecting your wallet, and one that affects your weekend plans if you haven’t been to Global Village yet. Clearly, there are several significant Changes Coming to Dubai that everyone should be aware of.
1. New E-Scooter and Bike Fines Kick In
Dubai Police and the RTA have launched a joint enforcement unit specifically targeting e-scooter and bike riders. Fines are now being issued for riding on pavements, failing to wear helmets, and using unregistered scooters in public areas. The crackdown is part of a longer-term effort to bring micromobility under proper road safety rules as usage has grown rapidly and this is just one of the upcoming changes coming to Dubai.
If you ride an e-scooter in Dubai, check that it’s registered with the RTA and that you’re using designated lanes. Fines are not small, so stay updated with any changes coming that impact commuting in Dubai.
2. UAE Airspace Fully Reopened — DXB Flights Back to Normal
Following the precautionary restrictions on UAE airspace that were in place from late February, the General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed full reopening on May 2nd. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is now progressively restoring its full international schedule, with airlines adding back routes and increasing frequencies. During the restricted period, DXB still handled six million travellers — a number that signals how much pent-up demand there is as operations normalise. With these aviation changes, Dubai’s travel landscape is undergoing significant transformation.
3. Eid Al Fitr 2026 Public Holidays Confirmed
The UAE government has confirmed the official Eid Al Fitr 2026 public holiday dates. The break represents one of the longer holiday windows of the year for private and public sector workers in the UAE. Check with your employer for exact working day arrangements, as the public and private sector schedules sometimes differ by a day. This is another example of how changes coming to Dubai touch daily routines.
4. Global Village Season 30 Closes May 10
Global Village is shutting down for its annual summer break on Sunday, May 10. If you haven’t visited Season 30 yet, this week is your last window. The park runs its discounted 4-for-1 ticket deal (four entries for Dhs30) on Sundays through Thursdays at the on-site counter — useful if you’re going before closing day. Moreover, Global Village closing is among the Changes Coming to Dubai that may impact your plans this May.
Update, July 2026: Global Village actually extended Season 30 beyond this date, reopening after a brief closure and running through to 31 May 2026 before finally closing for the summer. Season 31 is expected to open in mid-October 2026, though an official date hadn’t been confirmed as of this update.
5. Tourists Can Now Open Digital Bank Accounts on Arrival
The Central Bank of the UAE launched the Tourist Identity scheme, allowing visitors to open a basic digital bank account instantly using their passport — no branch visit required. This lets tourists pay cashlessly at local rates, avoiding foreign transaction fees. With Dubai targeting 90% cashless transactions, this scheme is a significant shift in how visitors interact with the UAE economy. In fact, all these updates are part of the major changes soon coming to Dubai in 2026.
6. New NOL Card App Features
The NOL Pay app has received an update adding real-time balance notifications and a low-balance alert feature — useful if you’re a daily Metro or bus commuter. The app also now supports faster top-up via saved cards. For those keeping track of new changes coming, these app updates make getting around Dubai more convenient.
7. Ramadan Summer Hours Wind Down
With Ramadan and Eid behind us, business hours across retail, hospitality, and government services are reverting to standard summer schedules. Government offices are moving to reduced Friday hours, and some malls are adjusting their opening times as footfall patterns shift for the summer season. Worth checking directly with any venue before visiting if timing matters. Of course, these adjustments reflect the seasonal changes coming to Dubai.
