Travel to Lebanon – eHangzhou Countries

Entry requirements and travel warning

Current

According to a decision by the Lebanese security authorities, the Lebanese embassy is currently not accepting any visa applications for the time being.

To curb the spread of the respiratory disease COVID-19, an entry ban for travelers from Germany was imposed. Entry from France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, South Korea, Iran, China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan is also not possible.

Leaving Lebanon to Germany by air was basically still possible up to and including Wednesday, March 18, 2020, but many direct flight connections are suspended or canceled. All entries into Lebanon are suspended with effect from March 19, 2020, and Beirut Airport was closed from March 18, 2020 to July 1, 2020. It was not easy for German citizens to leave the country by land or sea. From July 1st, 2020, entry is permitted if conditions permit.

German citizens need a passport to enter Lebanon. This must be valid for at least six months. Children need their own travel documents. An entry visa can be obtained from the Lebanese embassy or upon entry at Beirut airport. The passport cannot contain an Israeli stamp.

Demonstrations, strikes and road blockades have been organized in Lebanon since October 17, 2019. This interrupts important traffic connections. Banks and hospitals are also on strike. The German embassy can be reached in the Beirut Maghzal Building near the Jesus and Mary High School, Rabieh about 15 km north of the city center. When entering the country to take up employment in Lebanon, the visa must be issued by the relevant Lebanese diplomatic mission abroad before the trip. Travelers who have previously been in Israel will be rejected at the border. Travelers to Lebanon are advised to exercise particular caution and increased attention. The media coverage as well as these travel and safety information should be followed closely.

We strongly warn against traveling

in northern Lebanon (city and district of Tripoli, districts of Akkar and northern Leban / Ech-Chimal. In particular, in the districts of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh in Tripoli, there is a particular risk of armed conflict.
the Bekaa plain north of Baalbek.
to the Palestinian refugee camps in Nahr al-Bared and Beddawi near Tripoli; to the refugee camps in Ain al-Helweh and Mieh Mieh near Sidon.
We strongly advise against traveling to the rest of the Bekaa plain including the tourist sites of Baalbek; to the areas south of the Litani (with the exception of the city of Tire) including the border area with Israel to the southern suburbs of Beirut (so-called Dahiye).

Holidays (2020)

Dec 25 Wednesday Christmas (2019) national holiday
Jan 1st Wednesday New Year national holiday
Jan 7th Tuesday Orthodox Christmas National holiday, Orthodox
Feb 9th Sunday Feast of St. Marron National holiday
Feb 14 Friday, Remembrance Day attack on Rafik Hariri national holiday
Mar 9 Monday Teachers Day Festival Day
Mar 21, Saturday, Mother’s Day, feast day
Mar 25 Wednesday Annunciation National holiday
Mar 29 Sunday Start of daylight saving time changeover
Apr 10 Friday Good Friday National holiday
Apr 12 Sunday Easter Sunday Regional holiday
Apr 13 Monday Easter Monday National holiday
Apr 17 Friday Orthodox Good Friday feast day, Orthodox
Apr 19 Sunday Orthodox Easter Sunday feast day, Orthodox
May 1st Friday Labor Day national holiday
Wednesday May 6th, National Day of Martyrs
May 21, Thursday Ascension feast day
May 24th Sunday Eid al-Fitr national holiday
May 25th Monday Eid ul Fitr national holiday
May 25th Monday Liberation and Resistance Day National Holiday
Jul 31 Friday Eid al-Adha national holiday
Aug 1, Saturday, Eid al-Adha National Holiday
Aug 15th Saturday of the Assumption national holiday
Aug 20th Thursday. Muharram / Islam. New Year national holiday
Aug 29 Saturday Ashura (1st day) National holiday
Sep 8, Tuesday, feast day of the birth of Mary
Oct 25th Sunday end of daylight saving time
Oct 29th Thursday Mawlid an-Nabi national holiday
Nov 1, Sunday, All Saints’ Day
Nov 22nd Sunday Independence Day national holiday
Dec 25th Friday Christmas National Holiday

Money and money transfer

There is no limit to the amount of foreign and national currencies that can be imported and exported. An export permit is required to export antiques.

According to homosociety, in addition to the Lebanese pound, the US dollar is a common second currency. The supply of cash is not a problem in Beirut or in the larger cities, there are many ATMs available and can be reached 24/7. Both EC cards and major credit cards are accepted at the ATMs. Most Lebanese banks work between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Only a few banks have customer traffic until 4 p.m.

The Lebanese National Bank provides an overview of the commonly accepted banknotes.

Public transport

Unfortunately, the public transport network in Lebanon is not particularly well developed. Rail transport does not exist. In Beirut there are both private and urban buses. In the buses you have to pay when boarding or during the journey.

When using taxis, it is advisable to negotiate the price in advance: