General guidance, not legal advice. We install in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, not Abu Dhabi, and we could not verify detailed Abu Dhabi technical specifications from an official primary source when writing this. Treat this as a map of where to look, and confirm the rules for your licence activity with the authority or a locally registered installer. Last reviewed: 28 October 2026.
One country, several systems
CCTV rules in the UAE are set largely at emirate level:
| Emirate | Main authority people refer to | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | SIRA (Security Industry Regulatory Agency) | See SIRA CCTV requirements |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Police | See Sharjah Police CCTV requirements |
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Police and the Monitoring and Control Centre (MCC) | Covered below |
An approval in one emirate does not carry over to another.
What is publicly reported for Abu Dhabi
Law-firm and industry commentary reports that Abu Dhabi law requires many public and private facilities to have monitoring and control systems, and that these systems must follow terms set by the Monitoring and Control Centre. Abu Dhabi Police are also the reference point for security-company registration, and for public guidance on home cameras.
For licensed financial premises, the Central Bank of the UAE's rulebook says CCTV must meet the requirements of the police or competent authority of the emirate, and that retention can be longer where the police require it.
We have not seen a single public, official table of camera resolution, coverage and retention that applies to all businesses, so we will not quote one.
What the police say about cameras generally
Abu Dhabi Police guidance to residents is consistent with the rest of the UAE: use a licensed company, cover your own property, do not intrude on neighbours, protect passwords and never share footage on social media. See CCTV privacy rules in the UAE.
How to confirm your own requirements
- Identify your licence activity on your trade licence.
- Ask the licensing body (for example your free zone, municipality or sector regulator) whether CCTV is a licence or inspection condition.
- Contact Abu Dhabi Police or the MCC through their official channels for the specification that applies.
- Use a locally registered installer who can show their registration and who has done approvals for your type of premises. See choosing a licensed installer.
- Get it in writing: the resolution, coverage, storage days and maintenance terms you must meet.
Designing for approval before you know the final number
If you must buy equipment before the specification is confirmed, choose headroom:
- 4 MP or higher cameras at entrances and 2 MP minimum elsewhere
- Storage sized for more days than you think you need, see storage calculator
- A UPS and a lockable recorder cabinet
- Password-protected, logged access to footage
What we can and cannot help with
We can explain the equipment side and compare quotes you receive. We do not install in Abu Dhabi. If your business is in Dubai, Sharjah or Ajman, request a CCTV quote.
Official sources
The links in the box below are the official starting points. Check them for the current rules before acting.
Conclusion
Do not copy requirements from another emirate. Confirm the Abu Dhabi specification for your activity in writing, then design to it.
Frequently asked questions
Does SIRA apply in Abu Dhabi?
No. SIRA is Dubai's regulator. Abu Dhabi has its own authorities and requirements, so a Dubai SIRA approval is not an Abu Dhabi approval.
How long must CCTV footage be kept in Abu Dhabi?
There is no single figure that fits every business. Retention depends on your activity and the approval or sector rules that apply to you. Do not assume a number from another emirate; confirm it in writing.
