Living in Lebanon
Advice for British people living in Lebanon, including information on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.
The FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon. Find out more in travel advice for Lebanon.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Lebanon. Read about how the UK Embassy in Lebanon can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Lebanese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British nationals abroad sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow UK in Lebanon on:
Before you go
See our travel advice for Lebanon for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies. You should also read the Overseas Business Risk Lebanon guide.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Lebanon in our travel advice.
Further information can be found on the Security General website.
If you are a British national resident in Lebanon and you wish to sponsor a family member to live in Lebanon, contact the Security General or the Lebanese Embassy in London for further guidance.
You should factor in the considerable delays occurring in any process with the local authorities, as Lebanon is experiencing a prolonged and severe economic crises.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Lebanon.
Check the Lebanon travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Lebanon
There are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and Lebanon.
Before coming to Lebanon, visit the heath section of our Travel Advice.
Medical treatment in Lebanon is not free. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation, as medical treatment in Lebanon can be expensive.
See the comprehensive list of insurance companies in Lebanon.
For a comprehensive list of hospitals, see the Syndicate of Hospitals in Lebanon website.
UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
You can also view resources for LGBT people from the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health website.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Lebanon. Certain medicines may not be available in Lebanon (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into Lebanon. You should consult your GP before travelling to Lebanon to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Lebanon
If you are planning to move to Lebanon and work, you may need a visa.
- read the Lebanese government’s guidance on working in Lebanon as a foreign national.
- your employer, who will be your sponsor, will need to obtain a work permit for you from the Ministry of Labour in Lebanon
- subsequently, you will have to apply to the Security General to obtain a work residency
To apply for a job you may need to provide:
- your British passport, valid for at least 18 months
- UK police certificate (if relevant)
- details about your qualifications. For information on recognised qualifications, visit the Ministry of Education website
Studying in Lebanon
If you plan to study in Lebanon, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Check the Lebanese embassy in London website.
For information on education in Lebanon, visit the Ministry of Education website.
Tax
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Lebanon. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Lebanon.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than four weeks.
Pensions
If you retire in Lebanon, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension.
Contact the International Pension Center for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a life certificate from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Lebanon is experiencing a prolonged and severe economic crises. See Lebanon Travel Advice for further details.
Residents of Lebanon are able to open a local bank account. Visit the Banque Du Liban website for a comprehensive list of banks and financial institutions in Lebanon.
To know more on taxation in Lebanon, visit the Ministry of Finance official portal.
The UK does not have a Double Taxation Agreement with Lebanon.
For other investment opportunities in the Lebanon, visit the Department for Business & Trade website and the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade website.
Accommodation and buying property
British nationals can buy a property in Lebanon. Check the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre in Lebanon.
Driving in Lebanon
Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Lebanon:
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Lebanon, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Lebanon, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate if you wish.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Lebanon read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- bereavement guidance for Lebanon
- English-speaking funeral directors in Lebanon
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad and notarial and documentary services guide to register your marriage in Lebanon.
Read the following guidance:
- overview of the Lebanese marriage Law (PDF, 80.1 KB)
- information note about recognition or validity of marriage (PDF, 276 KB)
Pets
If you’re moving to Lebanon with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:
Emergencies
Dial 112 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:
- 140 for Red Cross
- 175 for Fire Brigade
- 125 for Civil Defence
Dial 112 to report a missing child.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Lebanon, read the rape and sexual assault in Lebanon: information for victims guidance. You can contact the local hotline number 1745 for assistance.
See also the victim of rape and sexual assault abroad guidance.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy in Lebanon.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Updates to this page
Published 15 November 2022Last updated 5 August 2024 + show all updates
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Added a link to Travel Advice, which includes advice for British nationals to leave Lebanon now.
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This page has been updated on 2 August 2023.
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First published.
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New paragraph added under health related to Covid-19
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Added new section - Emergencies - that includes contact numbers of emergency services in Lebanon.