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Passport validity requirements

Your passport should be valid for at least 3 months from the date you enter Lebanon.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document, or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

If your passport contains an Israeli stamp, you may be refused entry to Lebanon even if you hold a valid Lebanese visa. 

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

British citizens can normally apply for a free single-entry tourist or family visit visa on arrival at Beirut airport. A tourist visa is valid for one month from the date of entry. Travellers can extend their visa for up to three months at the General Security offices.

British citizens can also obtain a visa from the Lebanese Embassy in London. These may be valid for a different time period. Travellers should make sure they understand their visa validity to avoid any penalties for overstaying.

Travellers overstaying their visa may have to pay a fine at the airport. Only Lebanese currency will be accepted for payment. This should be paid at departures before security procedures.

Entry requirements may change at short notice. Check with the Lebanese Embassy in the UK before you travel.

Name checks against offender database

Lebanese immigration authorities check all visitors’ names on arrival against a database of those wanted for, or convicted of, offences in Lebanon. If your name matches an entry on the database, you may be detained (or occasionally allowed entry by surrendering your passport) until they can be satisfied that the record does not relate to you. You might be able to do this by producing a copy of a birth certificate or other official documentation that allows parents’ names to be checked against the database. Consider carrying this kind of supporting documentation.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Lebanon guide.

Emergency services in Lebanon  

Ambulance: 140

Fire: 175

Police: 112

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Lebanon
• dealing with a death in Lebanon
• being arrested or imprisoned in Lebanon
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Lebanon on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

 Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Areas in Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorate

FCDO advises against all travel to the following areas of Beirut and its southern suburbs, excluding Route 51 from central Beirut to Rafic Hariri International Airport:

• Tariq el Jdideh and the area east of Tariq el Jdideh, south of Jalloul Street, west of Hourch and the war cemetery (not including the war cemetery), and south of the Soulieman Bastani
• Ghobeiry and the area north of Ghobeiry but south of Yarmouk street, the war cemetery and Horsh park (not including Horsh park and the cemetery and Yarmouk street)
• Chiyah (south and west of the Rizkallah Semaan road)
• Haret Hraik
• Burj Al Barajneh
• Mraije
• Laylaki
• Jnah, south of El Imam Mousa El Sader street
• The Golf Club of Lebanon
• all other areas west of the Camil Chamoun Boulevard (south of Forn el Chebbak) that becomes the Old Saida Road through Hadath to Beirut airport

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

The area of Mount Lebanon Governorate south of (but excluding) the road from Wadi El Zayni in the west (and extending to the Mediterranean Sea), which travels through the villages of Aanout, Gharifeh, Ainbal, Boqaata, Moukhtara, Maaser El Chouf to the Mount Lebanon-Beqaa Governorate boundary in the east

Areas in the South and Nabatiyeh Governorates

FCDO advises against all travel to South and Nabatiyeh Governorates.

Areas in the Beqaa Governorate  

FCDO advises against all travel to:

The area of Beqaa Governorate to the east of (but not including) the Masnaa-Rachaiya Road from Masnaa, Dahr El Ahmar to the Beqaa-Nabatiyeh boundary in the south.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

The area of Beqaa Governorate to the south of (but not including) the road from Kafraiya to Joub Jannine, east of (but not including) the road from Joub Jannine to Bar Elias and south of the road from Bar Elias to Deir Zenoun.

Areas in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate  

FCDO advises against all travel to:

The area of Baalbek-Hermel Governorate north of (but not including) the Danniyeh-Hermel Road from the Baalbek-Hermel Governate boundary in the west to Hermel in the east.

The area north of (but not including) the Hermel-Ras Baalbek Road from Hermel to the Baalbek-Qaa Highway, and the entire area east of the Baalbek–Qaa Highway (excluding the highway itself), extending south to the Beqaa Governorate boundary.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the Baalbek-Hermel Governate:

Areas in the North Governorate

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area of Tripoli to the east of the Bechara El Khoury road from Bohssas in the south to Beddaoui in the north – including the neighbourhoods of Abou Samra, Tabbaneh, Jessrin, Qoubbeh and Zaytoun.

Areas in the Akkar Governorate 

FCDO advises against all travel to:

The area of Akkar Governorate north of (but excluding) the road from Qlayaat in the west (and extending to the Mediterranean Sea) to Tal Keri, Kouaikhat, Aamriyeh, and Qoubaiyat. And east of the same road and from Qoubaiyat to Qatlabah to the boundary of Akkar and Baalbek-Hermel Governorates in the south.

Palestinian refugee camps

FCDO advises against all travel to the 12 Palestinian refugee camps. See Palestinian refugee camp locations on the UN Relief and Works Agency website.

Regional tensions

The situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable.

British nationals should:

• read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
• follow advice from the local authorities
• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• monitor local and international media for the latest information
• stay away from areas around security or military facilities
• keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
• if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure

Leaving Lebanon

Keep your departure plans under review and ensure your travel documents are up to date, including any visas required for onward travel. Make sure you have access to emergency supplies and essential medication. Travel to or within Lebanon is at your own risk. and you should have a personal emergency plan which does not rely on the UK government.

Conflict affecting Lebanon

Since 2 March, conflict in Lebanon escalated in response to regional events. Airstrikes and rocket attacks between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah increased. Widespread evacuation warnings led to a mass movement of people from conflict-affected areas.

Israeli airstrikes have occurred primarily in the South, Nabatieh and Beqaa Governates and Beirut’s southern suburbs, but have also occurred outside these areas. The Israeli military often releases evacuation warnings before airstrikes, but many have also taken place with no advance notice.

A cessation of hostilities was announced in June 2026 but fighting and airstrikes have continued particularly in southern Lebanon, where an Israeli military presence remains. The dynamic nature of the conflict means the situation may change quickly. British nationals should follow local, international and social media to keep up to date with official alerts.

We advise you to keep up to date with the latest situation, including using multiple media sources to understand frequency and location of strikes, as these may change rapidly. There are various mapping sources available online.

Access to Beirut airport

Beirut airport is open and operational. If you are travelling to the airport, check the local security situation before you travel. Remain alert to local conditions as these could change quickly.

Civil disorder

Celebratory gunfire is common in Lebanon and there is a risk from gunfire being fired in residential areas in reaction to major regional developments. If you hear gunfire, take cover immediately. Protests related to regional events could also take place at short notice and may escalate quickly. Exercise caution, avoid demonstrations, and monitor local media for developments.

Local support

Our embassy is operating as normal.

Keep up to date with local and international media including TV and radio stations such as Virgin Radio Lebanon (FM 89.5) and Voice of Lebanon / Sawt Lubnan (FM 100.3 - 100.5) which may be useful sources of information on any developments.

You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government. This may include the ability to leave quickly or to shelter in place if you judge it necessary and safe to do so.

Read FCDO advice on what to do if you’re affected by a crisis abroad and how to prepare.

Help and support in Lebanon

You can contact the emergency services by calling 112.

If you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +961 (0)1 960 800.

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X
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• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Using cameras and drones in secure areas

Avoid photography in Lebanese Hizballah areas, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and areas in southern Lebanon. You may be detained if you are observed taking photographs.

Only take photographs in tourist sites. You could be arrested for photographing military sites. Flying drone cameras without permission is illegal.

Ramadan

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, be aware of:

• eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public in the daytime, including in your car
• playing loud music or dance
• swearing in public

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

You should also:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time

Diversity

Lebanon’s people are diverse, with many different Muslim and Christian sects represented. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and make sure your actions do not offend.

Dress code

In many areas you will find dress codes more relaxed than in other countries of the region, but you should still dress modestly when visiting religious sites.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Possessing, using and trafficking illegal drugs (including small quantities) are all serious offences, punishable with prison sentences.

LGBT+ travellers

The Lebanese Criminal Code includes a general provision concerning ‘every sexual act against nature’. Lebanese courts might consider that this includes same sex sexual activity. A criminal offence under this provision is punishable by a prison sentence of up to a year. The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health has resources for LGBT+ people.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Child abduction and travel bans

If you have concerns about child custody, get legal advice before travelling to Lebanon about ‘travel bans’ that can be imposed by male heads of family. Even if you or your child holds a British passport you may be subject to Lebanese laws and regulations.

In Lebanon a father or husband can legally arrange for a travel ban to be placed on their wife or children. If a travel ban is placed on you or your children, you will not be able to travel. If that does happen a parent should seek legal assistance to check if the travel ban can be lifted.

Lebanese family law is very different from UK law and particular care is needed if child custody becomes an issue.

If you’re a British national involved in international parental child abductions or custody disputes, contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for assistance or call +44 (0) 2070 085 000. FCDO has information on international parental child abduction, including how we can help. FCDO strongly advises against attempting to move your child yourself. This may be considered abduction (or ‘re-abduction’). This may be illegal and can put your child at risk.