Lebanon
Warnings and insurance
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
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.
FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available.
For further information on why we advise against travel, see the Conflict inaffecting neighbouring Israel and the Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesLebanon and Regional risks.
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. When completing the form, if you have problems entering your telephone number, please try using a different browser or device. You could also try replacing ‘+’ for the country code with ‘00’.
Departure from Lebanon
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. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available.
Travel within or out of Lebanon is at your own risk. The FCDO cannot tell you whether it is safe to travel to any departure point within Lebanon. However, see safety and security for information on known security risks in Lebanon and advice on how to keep yourself safe.
Make sure you have correct and up-to-date travel documents, including a passport and visa if necessary, for yourself and anyone travelling with you, even if they are not British nationals.
Check our travel advice for any neighbouring country that you are planning to travel to or through.
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.
Read FCDO advice on what to do if you’re affected by a crisis abroad and how to prepare.
If you cannot leave Lebanon
You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government and be prepared in case you need to leave quickly. However, if you cannot leave Lebanon, you should shelter in place if you judge it necessary and safe to do so.
See safety and security and regional risks for information on known security risks in Lebanon and advice on how to keep yourself safe. You should still register your presence to receive updates and sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Conflict inaffecting neighbouring Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs)Lebanon
FCDO advises against all travel to Lebanon due to risks associated with the conflict between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. There are ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges and airstrikes in South Lebanon, primarily on the boundary with Israel.Israel but also elsewhere in the country. Online maps may provide a useful guide to recently affected areas. Tensions are high and events could escalate with little warning, which could affect or limit exit routes out of Lebanon.
There is also a risk of civil unrest. There have been large protests outside embassies, including outside the US and French embassies on 17 October. Further protests are expected. British nationals should exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations may be held.
The embassy is continuing with essential work including services to British nationals.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
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.
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.
Update history
2025-03-27 15:00
FCDO no longer advises against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. FCDO continues to advise against all travel or all but essential travel to some areas of Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-12-09 13:48
Updated information about the security situation in Lebanon following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-10-30 15:54
Updated information about the reduction of diplomatic staff in Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-10-26 08:05
Information on an Israeli military attack on Iran (Warnings and insurance)
2024-10-18 16:53
Removal of information about ‘Register Your Presence’. The FCDO has removed this facility, but stands ready to re-launch it, should it be needed. (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-10-12 17:13
Updated information about leaving Lebanon (see “Access to Beirut airport” and “Local support” in “Warnings and insurance”).
2024-10-03 15:58
Updated information on the conflict affecting Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-10-02 04:14
Updated information on the conflict affecting Lebanon
2024-09-28 23:54
Updated information on the conflict affecting Lebanon (Warnings and Insurance Pages)
2024-09-28 23:37
Updated information on the Conflict in Lebanon (Warnings and Insurance Pages)
2024-09-27 15:58
Updated information about conflict affecting Lebanon and routes out of the country (see ‘Conflict affecting Lebanon’ on the ‘Warnings and insurance’ page). FCDO continues to encourage those still in Lebanon to “Register You Presence” (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-25 17:55
Information on registering your presence if you are in Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-09-20 19:06
Update on strike in southern Beirut (see “conflict affecting Lebanon”)
2024-09-17 20:30
Update on simultaneous explosion of communication devices on 17 September (See “Explosion of communication devices”).
2024-09-11 14:00
Closure of ‘Register Your Presence’ service in Lebanon (see ‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-08-09 16:11
Information on checking flight availability and keeping up to date with local media (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-08-04 18:11
Update to conflict affecting Lebanon – recommendation to leave Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-31 09:34
Information on Registering Your Presence if you are in Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-02 12:54
Updated information about: risks within Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages); help and support available (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Getting help’ pages); costs related to visas and residence permits (‘Entry requirements’ page); the impact of the economic crisis, the risks related to photography, and dealing with extreme weather and natural disasters (‘Safety and security’ page); and healthcare (‘Health’ page). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon and encourage those in country to leave.
2024-04-26 12:36
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-19 15:02
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-14 09:20
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-04-12 19:59
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-01 23:09
Update to Warnings and insurance, Regional risks, Safety and Security pages
2024-01-12 00:11
Update to Safety and Security page
2024-01-02 18:32
Addition of information about an explosion in Beirut’s southern suburbs (Safety and Security). The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available. British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. (Warnings and insurance)
2023-12-09 15:25
Updated information about British Embassy staffing. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available. British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. (Warnings and insurance)
2023-11-06 06:32
Addition of information about the temporary withdrawal of some British Embassy staff from Lebanon. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available. British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice.
2023-10-24 19:22
Information about having the correct travel documents for you and any family members travelling with you to leave Lebanon, advice on what to do if you cannot leave Lebanon, and additional advice on keeping yourself safe. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available. British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice.
2023-10-18 20:04
You are advised against all travel to the whole of Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now while commercial options remain available. (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. (‘Warnings and insurance’ page.)Information added about visa validity (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-10-17 23:05
British nationals in Lebanon should consider whether they need to remain in Lebanon and, if not, leave by commercial means while they are still available. British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. Lebanese tourist visas are now valid for one month, rather than three. Those departing Lebanon after more than one month are likely to be fined (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-10-16 14:06
British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. The British Embassy has temporarily withdrawn family members of staff. It continues with essential work, including services to British nationals. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to some parts of Lebanon, including the areas south of the Litani River, and advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ page)
2023-10-15 11:58
British nationals in Lebanon should register their presence with the FCDO through the link in Travel Advice. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to some parts of Lebanon, including the areas south of the Litani River, and advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Lebanon (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-10-13 18:23
Factual update about protests staged today in response to the events in Israel and Gaza. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to some parts of Lebanon, including the areas south of the Litani River, and advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Lebanon. (Warnings and insurance).
2023-10-10 16:40
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to some parts of Lebanon, including the areas south of the Litani River, and advises against all but essential travel to the rest of Lebanon.
2023-10-10 11:13
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Lebanon, and advises against all travel to locations south of the Litani River since the outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza on 7 October and ongoing mortar and artillery exchanges in South Lebanon. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to parts of Lebanon listed in our travel advice.
2023-10-08 22:04
Following the attacks in Southern Israel, there were mortar and artillery exchanges between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israeli Defence Forces on 8 October (2023) across the Blue Line in South Lebanon. Tensions are high and events may escalate with little warning, potentially affecting exit routes. British Nationals should consider travel plans accordingly, monitor the regional situation and follow FCDO travel advice for updates. (Summary)
2023-09-08 14:58
Information on the fighting between armed groups in the Ain el Hilweh camp (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-08-24 14:44
Information on an increase in anti-LGBT+ rhetoric and a potential risk of inciting violence(‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-01 16:48
FCDO now additionally advises against all but essential travel to the Saida section of Highway 51 (Beirut-Saida highway and the Saida-Tyre Highway) between the permanent Lebanese security checkpoint at the Awali River and the bridge crossing at the Sayniq River and the Saida city road (starting at the junction between Takkeyeddine El Solh road and Courniche El Baher up until the Sanic Bridge) including the areas east of this road to the Ain el Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-31 18:25
Road closures by the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sadia in response to an escalation in violence between armed groups within the Ain el Hilweh Refugee Camp, Saida.
2023-07-31 18:18
Road closures by the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sadia in response to an escalation in violence between armed groups within the Ain el Hilweh Refugee Camp, Sadia.
2023-06-22 11:09
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-04-20 19:01
Addition of information and advice on being vigilant during periods of religious significance and public holidays (Safety and Security page)
2023-04-08 14:40
Updated information following Israeli strikes against targets in southern Lebanon on 7 April (Safety and security)
2023-04-06 15:49
A series of rocket and artillery strikes around the ‘blue line’ between the borders of Lebanon and Israel. British Nationals are advised to monitor Travel Advice for further updates (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-06 16:42
A major earthquake (7.8) hit the Gaziantep region of Southeast Turkey on 6 February 2023. A further earthquake (7.5) was felt later in the day. There have been several strong aftershocks reported in Lebanon and the risk of further aftershocks remains. (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-19 16:59
The FCDO has updated travel advice for Lebanon to ‘see our advice before travelling’. The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to some areas and advises against all travel to other areas in Lebanon (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-19 16:19
The FCDO has updated travel for Lebanon to ‘see our advice before travelling’. The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to some areas and advises against all travel to other areas in Lebanon (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-24 14:36
Addition of information about reported cases of cholera in Lebanon (‘Health’ page).
2022-09-28 16:52
Updated rules for Covid-19 testing for passengers travelling into Lebanon, passengers who are not fully vaccinated are exempt from pre-departure tests (see ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-09-26 09:53
Addition of information on ensuring travel documentation including passports and visas are correct and up-to-date and on LGBT+ rights in Lebanon ( ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages).
2022-08-24 12:20
Updated information about the collapse of the northern Beirut grain silo in the port of Beirut (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-08-05 15:15
Updated information on the continued risk of further collapse of the grain silo in the port of Beirut (‘Summary’ page)
2022-08-03 15:54
Updated information on the continued risk of further collapse of the grain silo in the port of Beirut and the second anniversary of the Beirut port blast (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-08-01 15:55
Updated information on the continued risk of further collapse of the grain silo in the port of Beirut (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-31 17:26
Advice following the collapse of grain silos in the port of Beirut.
2022-07-26 16:31
New advice added from the Government of Lebanon on what to do if the Beirut grain silos collapse (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).
2022-07-22 16:31
Updated contact information for emergency services (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-07-15 16:43
Addition of information on the risk of forest fires (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-06-28 12:23
Terrorism – incidents:• On 23 February 2022, the Interior Ministry announced that the police uncovered a terrorist network who were planning three simultaneous attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut. • on 21 September 2021, the Lebanese armed forces announced that its forces had dismantled a cell supporting ISIS, which it says was behind the killing of a retired intelligence officer in August and was planning further attacks.
2022-06-09 11:04
Removal of information on the May parliamentary elections
2022-04-26 10:40
Information added on parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place across the country on 15 May 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-04-11 10:51
Updated information on COVID-19 measures within Lebanon (‘Coronavirus’ page). Removal of information on the MOPH platform (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-03-25 15:42
Update to information on entry requirements to Lebanon (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-09 13:30
Update to information on testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers to Lebanon (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-02 13:20
Updated information on entry requirements to Lebanon (‘Entry requirements’ page)