Libya
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against travel
FCDO advises against all travel to Libya except for the cities of Benghazi and Misrata.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the cities of Benghazi and Misrata.
Find out more about why the FCDO advises against travel.
Heightened military presence in Tripoli
On 12 May, significant armed clashes broke out across Tripoli. A ceasefire was agreed on 14 May and has largely held. The situation remains fragile and a return to violence is possible. Flights have resumed operations at Mitiga international airport in Tripoli.
FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Libya except for the cities of Benghazi and Misrata, to which we advise against all but essential travel.
If you are a British national already in, or planning to travel to Tripoli, you should have robust security arrangements and contingency plans in place.
UK government support
UK government support is limited in Libya. If you are in Libya and need urgent help from the UK government (for example, if you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died) died) contact the British Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia who who provide assistance for British nationals in Libya. In-person support is not available in Libya. If you are a British national already in, or planning to travel to Tripoli, you should have robust security arrangements and contingency plans in place.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
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read about safety for solo and independent travel
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.
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Update history
2025-11-18 10:35
Addition of information on the risks from methanol poisoning (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-06-13 12:39
Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region (‘Safety and security’ page).
2025-05-22 11:15
FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Tripoli. The British Embassy has temporarily reduced staff numbers, but the Embassy remains open with the Ambassador and a substantial team present (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-19 11:09
Updated information that flights have resumed operation and that the situation remains fragile (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-16 16:07
Updated information that some flights have resumed operation at Mitiga international airport in Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-15 10:45
Updated information that a ceasefire has been agreed in Tripoli, but the situation remains volatile and a return to violence is possible. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-14 11:46
Updated information that fighting continues across the city of Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-13 18:16
FCDO now advises against all travel to the city of Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-12 20:06
Latest update: Heightened military presence in Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2025-04-10 12:13
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the cities of Tripoli, Benghazi and Misrata. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the rest of Libya (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-10-26 08:03
On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-28 23:58
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-09-28 22:56
Updated information on the Conflict in Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-07-19 15:52
Updated assessment that terrorist attacks in Libya can’t be ruled out (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-26 12:37
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).
2024-04-17 15:17
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-04-14 09:20
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Summary’ page)
2024-04-12 20:03
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-17 16:13
Information on roads are open and there is no further disruption to Mitiga Airport (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-08-15 15:30
Information on clashes between armed groups in central Tripoli and the disruption to Mitiga Airport (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-28 16:20
Updated information on ‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Terrorism’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Money’ pages.
2023-06-22 11:15
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2022-06-13 16:40
Update to consular contact form web link (‘Summary’ and ‘Travel advice help and support’ pages)
2022-04-01 12:02
Update to information on the provision of limited consular support and the serious risks of being detained (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)