Living in Lebanon: the ultimate expat guide

Lebanon facilitates entry for most nationalities through a visa-on-arrival system accessible to 82 countries and territories. This streamlined procedure covers many Western countries. However, one absolute restriction applies: any evidence of travel to Israel in your passport results in automatic entry denial.

Visa on arrival

The tourist visa on arrival is obtained directly at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. It permits an initial one-month stay, extendable by two additional months through General Security. Requirements include a passport valid for at least six months, a Lebanese phone number, a local address, and a non-refundable return ticket. Costs vary by nationality.

Visa exemptions

Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman) can stay up to six months per calendar year without a visa. Jordanians benefit from a three-month exemption per six-month period. Seven other countries also have exemption agreements.

Work permits

Legal employment requires a work permit obtained through your employer. This three-month renewable visa requires a job offer from a Lebanese company, which handles applications with the Ministry of Labor and General Security. Required documents include educational qualifications, professional experience, an employment contract, proof of financial means, a police certificate (clean criminal record), and a satisfactory medical examination. All documents must be translated into Arabic, French, or English.

Student visas

Students enrolled in accredited Lebanese universities or institutions can obtain a student visa by presenting their enrollment confirmation and student ID. This process occurs through the Lebanese embassy or consulate in your home country.

Critical restrictions

Lebanon enforces an absolute entry ban on anyone with an Israeli visa or stamp in their passport. This restriction applies even to past travel. Violators face entry refusal and risk arrest or detention. This policy stems from the Arab-Israeli conflict and the technical state of war between the two countries.

Lebanon has signed tax treaties with multiple countries to avoid double taxation. Check whether your home country has such an agreement, as this can significantly reduce your tax burden. Consular registration with your embassy or consulate in Beirut greatly facilitates administrative procedures and ensures you receive security alerts.

Lebanon's job market is undergoing profound transformation. The economic crisis triggered a major employment contraction, with 27.7% of jobs lost between 2019 and 2022. The official unemployment rate stands at 11.56%, but this figure masks a more complex reality: only 30.6% of the active population holds formal employment, down from 43.3% before the crisis.

Current job market reality

The informal sector now represents 63% of total employment, up from 55% in 2019. This informality means absence of social security, paid leave, and legal protection for most workers. Youth unemployment reaches 47.8%, and even university graduates aren't spared with a 36% unemployment rate. Average salaries have plummeted to approximately USD 200 per month, down from USD 1,600 before the crisis, reflecting the collapse of local purchasing power.

The minimum wage was raised to 18 million LBP per month in 2024, but its real dollar value fluctuates daily with exchange rates. For expats earning in foreign currencies, this situation creates relatively high purchasing power, comparable to what you'd find in cities like Toronto or Manchester.

Promising sectors for expats

International organizations, NGOs, and humanitarian agencies constitute the primary expat employers in Beirut. The information technology sector remains dynamic, particularly for developers and digital specialists. International education recruits across numerous international schools and universities. Journalism and international media maintain significant presence. Finally, consulting and advisory services in financial, legal, and technical fields are in demand.

Here's an overview of employment conditions in Lebanon:

Sources: Statista, ILO Report, TIMEP

Starting a business

Lebanon offers several legal structures for business establishment: joint stock companies (SAL), limited liability companies (SARL), partnerships for professional activities, plus options to establish a branch office or representative office for foreign companies. While administrative procedures are complex, they can be facilitated through a local attorney specializing in business law. The Lebanese legal system, inspired by civil law traditions, presents familiar frameworks for international entrepreneurs.

Lebanon's tax system operates on a territoriality principle: you're taxable if you reside in Lebanon, if services are executed on Lebanese territory, or if the funding source is in Lebanon. Lebanon has signed tax treaties with numerous countries to avoid double taxation. Check whether your home country has such an agreement, as this can significantly reduce your tax burden.

Personal income tax

Lebanon applies a progressive tax scale with rates ranging from 2% to 25% based on income brackets. The 2024 budget law introduced new brackets for salaries paid in foreign currencies, effective from January 2025. Retirees benefit from a notable advantage with 50% reduced rates on their pensions.

Family tax deductions for 2024 include 450 million LBP for individual taxpayers, 225 million LBP for non-working spouses, and 45 million LBP per legitimate child (maximum five children). School fees are deductible up to 6 million LBP per year per child, limited to three children. A transport allowance of 450,000 LBP per day is also deductible for private sector employees.

Corporate tax

Lebanese companies are subject to a 17% tax rate on profits. Capital gains from real estate transactions are taxed at 15%, while dividend distributions incur a 10% withholding tax. Branch offices of foreign companies pay the 17% corporate tax plus an additional 10% tax on profit repatriation. Holding companies benefit from specific exemptions, capped at 5 million LBP per year on capital and reserves.

VAT and indirect taxes

The standard VAT rate stands at 11%. Certain sectors benefit from exemptions: exports of goods and services, international transport, banking and financial services, insurance, and nurseries. Imported goods face additional 3% customs duties, with a 10% rate for luxury goods and products with local substitutes. Excise taxes apply to alcoholic beverages, spirits, tobacco, gasoline, and vehicles.

Social security contributions

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) manages Lebanon's social protection system. Employers must contribute 6% of salary (capped at 12 million LBP per month) for the family scheme. The medical scheme requires an 11% contribution on salaries, split between 8% employer and 3% employee, with a monthly ceiling set at five times the minimum wage since March 2024. Employers must also provision 8.5% of total salary for end-of-service indemnity. Medical coverage handles 90% of hospitalization costs and 80% of consultations and medications, with dental care excluded.

Local taxes and registration fees

The Built Property Tax applies progressively to rental income from real estate, with rates ranging from 4% to 14% according to income brackets defined in 2024. Real estate transactions generate registration fees of approximately 6%, including a 5% transfer tax on market value.

Inheritance and gift duties vary from 3% to 45% depending on amount and family relationship. Gifts up to 96 million LBP are exempt, as are donations to NGOs and non-profit associations up to 6 billion LBP since the 2025 law. Stamp duties apply to various administrative documents, with amounts revalued in 2024.

Lebanon's healthcare system combines public and private sectors, with strong private predominance. Historically recognized for medical excellence, particularly in cardiology, oncology, and neurology, it has faced deep crisis since 2019 due to economic collapse. Government health expenditure dropped 40% between 2018 and 2022.

Mandatory health coverage: NSSF

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) serves as the health insurance pillar for private sector employees, certain public institution staff, public school teachers, taxi drivers, and university students. Coverage includes 90% of hospitalization costs and 80% of medical consultations and medications. Dental care is excluded from basic coverage.

Individuals not covered by NSSF must approach the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) for assistance or purchase private insurance. Confessional mutual funds also offer supplementary coverage.

Private health insurance: essential for expats

For expats, securing international health insurance is strongly recommended. Private hospitals systematically require upfront cash payment in US dollars before any intervention—a practice widespread since the banking crisis. Local insurance costs approximately USD 1,700 per year for a 50-year-old, though loss of confidence in the sector has led 200,000 people to abandon coverage.

International insurance plans start from USD 26 per month for basic coverage. These insurances offer the advantage of international assistance and medical evacuation if necessary. Check whether your home country's social security system allows maintaining coverage abroad, as some systems permit this arrangement.

Major healthcare facilities

Beirut concentrates the country's top hospitals: Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, founded in 1923 and affiliated with Saint Joseph University, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), a regional reference for specialized care, Saint George Hospital, Makassed General Hospital, and Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui. These facilities maintain international standards despite economic difficulties.

Current challenges and recommendations

The crisis triggered massive medical staff exodus, with thousands of doctors and nurses having left the country. Medicine and equipment shortages affect 30% of essential supplies in public hospitals. Hospital fees increased 120% between 2019 and 2025, with a further 15% rise scheduled for February 2025.

For expats, it's crucial never to consume tap water, which is unsafe. Consistently use bottled water. Avoid public hospitals with limited resources, and ensure you have insurance covering payments in US dollars. The universal health coverage project, proposed to Parliament in May 2023, hasn't yet been adopted due to governance and financing challenges.

Lebanon boasts an internationally recognized education system, ranked 4th globally for mathematics and science and 10th for overall education quality. With a 93.9% literacy rate and approximately 70% of students in private schools, the country offers extensive quality education options.

Local education system

Lebanese education divides into five cycles: kindergarten (ages 3-4), elementary primary (grades 1-3), advanced primary (grades 4-6), middle or intermediate cycle (grades 7-9), and secondary or high school (grades 10-12). Public schools teach primarily in Arabic, with English or French used for scientific subjects. Private schools favor English or French as the main language, with Arabic remaining mandatory across all institutions.

International schools in Beirut

International College (IC) stands out with campuses in Ain Aar and Ras Beirut, offering four different curricula in three main languages. The institution features impressive sports facilities with 85 teams representing 17 sports, plus over 100 extracurricular clubs hosting 1,750 students. The school implemented partial dollar payment for teachers to retain staff amid the crisis. Tuition fees aren't published online and require direct school contact.

American Community School (ACS) follows the American curriculum and enjoys solid reputation. LWIS-City International School, an accredited IB World School, combines the International Baccalaureate program with the American program, from kindergarten through grade 12. Instruction occurs in English, with Arabic offered as first or second language, French as second language, and Spanish at high school level. Beirut International School (BIS), established in 1980 in Bshemoun, prepares students for the Lebanese baccalaureate.

Additional education options

Beirut hosts over 25 international schools offering various curricula: British, American, IB (International Baccalaureate), IGCSE, or CBSE (Indian). Tuition fees vary considerably by institution, curriculum, and grade level. Tax deduction for school fees in Lebanon reaches maximum 6 million LBP per year per child, limited to three children.

Top-tier institutions often maintain waiting lists. Apply several months in advance, particularly for primary and secondary levels. Families should budget for registration fees, educational materials, and extracurricular activities beyond base tuition costs.

Lebanon's real estate market offers diverse housing options, from studios to villas with pools. The economic crisis created a paradoxical situation: rents in US dollars remain affordable for expats earning in foreign currencies, while Lebanese paid in pounds struggle with housing costs.

Available housing types

Apartments constitute the most common offering in Beirut, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units and luxury penthouses. Villas in mountainous areas around the capital are particularly popular with expats, offering gardens, pools, and panoramic views. The shared accommodation market developed primarily for expats, as Lebanese traditionally remain with family until marriage.

Popular Beirut neighborhoods

Downtown Beirut attracts through immediate access to restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Modern apartments often feature balconies with Mediterranean views, though rents rank among the capital's highest. This area suits professionals working in the business district.

Hamra concentrates strong expat presence with numerous cafés and bars: De Prague, Starbucks, Costas, Younis, Dany's Bar. The university district attracts young, cosmopolitan populations. Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael form Beirut's nightlife heart, with Gouraud Street lined with trendy establishments: Torino Express, Demo, EM Chill, Em Nazim. Street art and bohemian atmosphere characterize these neighborhoods located just 3.5 miles from downtown.

Achrafieh constitutes a lively district close to shops, restaurants, and cultural sites, appreciated by expat families. Ras Beirut ranks among the capital's most sought-after areas. The Christian mountain north, with villas offering clean air and cooler summer temperatures, attracts those seeking calm while remaining 20-40 minutes from downtown Beirut.

Beirut rental costs

Prices display high volatility due to monetary crisis. A one-bedroom apartment in less prestigious areas rents for USD 350-450 per month. A two to three-bedroom apartment in an older building without concierge or parking costs approximately USD 800 monthly. For housing in central neighborhoods like Hamra or Gemmayzeh, expect USD 1,000-2,000 per month. A shared room costs USD 350-450 monthly. Property purchase runs around USD 2,000-3,000 per square meter, with higher prices in highly demanded areas like downtown.

Lease agreements

Standard leases run one year, renewable for three years. Typical upfront payment reaches six months advance, though this can be negotiated (for example, three months plus one month deposit). Ensure all terms are clearly defined in writing, particularly payment currency and each party's repair responsibilities.

Utilities to budget

Electricity from EDL (Electricité du Liban) is paid according to monthly meter readings. Note: Beirut suffers daily outages of three hours or more. A private generator subscription is essential, costing approximately USD 60 for 5 amperes. Landlords may require the meter in your name, involving USD 200 changeover fees. For water, contact the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment. Since tap water is unsafe, budget for bottled water.

Property search

Online platforms like Lamudi, Property Finder, Real Estate Lebanon, OpenSooq, and Beirut Craig's List list available properties. Facebook and Instagram groups also feature listings. On-site, walking through desired neighborhoods and asking building guardians (nawatir) remains effective. Real estate agencies, numerous in Beirut, can facilitate your search for a commission.

Preparing your move to Lebanon requires meticulous organization, particularly given the current economic context. Here's a comprehensive checklist to facilitate your transition to this Mediterranean country where infrastructure demands specific adaptation.

Essential pre-departure checklist

1. International health insurance: Secure comprehensive coverage before arrival, as hospitals require upfront cash payments in dollars. Check whether your home country's social security system allows maintaining coverage abroad.
2. Administrative documents: Have important documents (diplomas, birth certificates, driver's license) translated into Arabic, French, or English by a certified translator. Apostille official documents according to Hague Convention agreements.
3. Bank account: Open a local account in US dollars and Lebanese pounds upon arrival. The banking sector applies strict restrictions on withdrawals and transfers following the financial crisis.
4. Housing: Secure accommodation before arrival, planning for six months rent advance. Verify generator presence in the building to offset daily power cuts.
5. Vehicle: Decide whether to import your car or purchase locally. An international driver's license is accepted temporarily, with possible exchange for a Lebanese license.
6. Essential subscriptions: Arrange internet installation, generator subscription (approximately USD 60 monthly for 5 amperes), and bottled water stock as tap water is unsafe.
7. Visa and permits: Obtain appropriate visa based on stay duration and purpose. Many nationalities benefit from visa-on-arrival for short tourist visits.
8. Vaccinations: Update your vaccination record. Consult your doctor about recommended vaccines based on destination and activities.
9. Phone service: Get a local SIM card from Touch or Alfa operators. Cost remains modest at approximately USD 1.50.
10. Consular registration: Register with your embassy or consulate in Beirut to facilitate administrative procedures and receive security alerts.

Lebanese-specific considerations

Lebanon presents unique infrastructural challenges. Daily power outages last several hours, making private generator subscription essential. Beirut traffic congestion can be intense during rush hours. Security conditions vary by period and region; regularly consult consular alerts. Finally, familiarize yourself with the dual currency system reality (Lebanese pound and US dollar) that complicates daily transactions.

Lebanon offers remarkable cultural and natural wealth in a compact territory. In a single day, you can ski in the mountains during morning and swim in the Mediterranean that afternoon—a unique combination in the region.

Cultural and archaeological heritage

The country concentrates one of the world's highest densities of archaeological sites. Byblos (Jbeil), among the oldest continuously inhabited cities, testifies to 7,000 years of Phoenician history. Its ruins, picturesque port, and souk make it an unmissable destination 40 km north of Beirut. Baalbek houses the ancient world's most imposing Roman temples, with remarkably preserved Jupiter and Bacchus temples. Tyre reveals UNESCO-listed Phoenician and Roman remains, including a hippodrome, thermal baths, and necropolis. Anjar presents Lebanon's only Umayyad city, a rare testimony to 8th-century Islamic architecture.

In Beirut, the National Museum traces the country's history from prehistory through the Ottoman era. The capital was designated World Book Capital, reflecting its intellectual and cultural influence. Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael neighborhoods captivate through their street art and contemporary art galleries.

Sports and outdoor activities

Lebanese ski resorts operate December through April in the mountains, offering slopes for all levels. The Mediterranean coast provides diving and water sports at Batroun, Byblos, and Tyre. Pigeon Rocks constitute Beirut's natural symbol, spectacular rock formations in open sea.

Hiking enthusiasts explore Qadisha Valley, a sacred canyon housing cave monasteries, the millennial Cedars Forest, Lebanon's national emblem, Chouf and its mountain trails, and Bekaa Valley with its vineyards. Paragliding in Jounieh offers stunning bay views. Jeita Grotto, accessible 20 km from Beirut, impresses with limestone formations and underground river.

Nightlife and gastronomy

Beirut rivals Mediterranean capitals for its culinary scene. Restaurants offer successful fusion between Lebanese traditions (mezze, grilled meats, oriental pastries) and international influences. Hamra and Gemmayzeh neighborhoods concentrate bars, pubs, and clubs open late into the night. Cultural diversity reflects in gastronomic offerings: Armenian, Italian, Asian restaurants sit alongside traditional Lebanese establishments.

Festivals and events

The Baalbek International Festival, created in 1956, hosts international artists in classical music, jazz, and world music each summer in the majestic Roman temple setting. Other festivals punctuate Lebanon's cultural year, though programming depends on security and economic conditions. The Bekaa Wine Route allows discovering wine estates producing renowned vintages, particularly local and international grape varieties cultivated at altitude.

Lebanon's cost of living presents a paradoxical situation created by economic crisis. For expats paid in foreign currencies (dollars or euros), purchasing power remains high, comparable to cities like Manchester or Calgary. For locals paid in Lebanese pounds, the situation is dramatic. Numerical data must be interpreted cautiously, as the gap between official and parallel rates distorts statistics.

Prices below come from Numbeo, an international cost-of-living reference, reflecting the August 2025 situation. However, users emphasize that actual amounts for cash dollar payments can be divided by four or five compared to estimates based on official rates.

Single person budget

Here's a detailed estimate of monthly expenses for a single person living in Beirut, excluding rent:

Sources: Numbeo Beirut, August 2025

Add your housing rent to this amount: budget USD 350-450 for a shared room or basic studio, up to USD 1,000-2,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in a central neighborhood. Total monthly budget for a single person ranges between USD 1,000-2,500 depending on chosen housing standard.

Family of four budget

A family with two children must plan a significantly higher budget, particularly if children attend international schools:

Sources: Numbeo Lebanon, Livingcost Beirut

International school tuition often represents the largest family budget item, potentially reaching several thousand dollars per child annually. A tax deduction of maximum 6 million LBP per year per child (limited to three children) applies.

International comparison

Lebanon positions 40.9% cheaper than Germany and 38.7% cheaper than the United States excluding rent. Rents are 65.3% lower than US rates. Compared to the UK, cost of living proves approximately 35-40% lower, particularly for food, services, and leisure. This advantageous situation for expats contrasts starkly with Lebanese reality, whose median salary of USD 567 covers only 0.4 months of average expenses.