The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

 Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Events in Lebanon are fast moving. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and with no warning.

Commercial routes out of Lebanon could be severely disrupted or cancelled at short notice and roads across the country could be closed.

Check our travel advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through.

Register your presence

If you are a British National in Lebanon, please register your presence which includes recording your up to date contact information.  You should fill in this  form for every member of your family or group who is a British National.  Your registration will allow us to share any updates.

South of the Litani River

FCDO advises against all travel to the area south of the Litani River, which includes the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it.

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.

We also advise against all but essential travel within 500m of the Ain el Hilweh camp.

Syrian border

FCDO advises against all travel within 5km of the border with Syria.

The town of Hermel   

FCDO advises against all travel to the town of Hermel, and the surrounding towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé.

The remainder of Lebanon

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to all other areas of Lebanon.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel to these areas.

Conflict in neighbouring Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon since the outbreak of large-scale conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 7 October and ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges in South Lebanon. Tensions are high and events could  escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon. You should consider whether your need to remain in Lebanon is essential.

On 13 October,October 2023, a series of protests were staged throughout Lebanon in response to events in Israel and Gaza. This included a minor protest near the British Embassy. Order was maintained and no altercations took place.  British Nationals should exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held.

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Read FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad.

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.

If you’re in Lebanon and you need advice which is not covered by reading our travel advice, you can contact FCDO online.

While 24-hour consular assistance is available by phone or online, in-person consular support is severely limited in parts of Lebanon where we advise against all travel and limited where we advise against all but essential travel.  

In the event of deterioration in the political or security situation, the British Embassy may be increasingly limited in the assistance that it can provide. Do not rely on FCDO being able to evacuate you in an emergency.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

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.