Lebanon
Last update 29 September 2025Travel advice
Risk index
Level 5: Leave immediately/ avoid all travels
5
Select passport type
Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit the Republic of Lebanon for a period of up to 30 days, which can be extended to 90 days.
Republic of Lebanon
Travel Alert: Due to the possibility of flight delays and cancellations and in connection with the complicated security situation in the Middle East, we recommend avoiding all travel to Lebanon. Bulgarian citizens currently in Lebanon should monitor the latest information on the possibilities for leaving the country from the relevant airlines and other passenger transport agencies.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Lebanon
Address: BP 11 65 44 Beyrout, Hazmieh, Mar Takla, secteur 6, rue 44
Telephone: +961 5 453 658
Out-of-hours hotline:
+961 81 302 552; +961 76 697 766
Fax: +961 5 452 892
Working hours: Mon – Fri, 08:30 to 15:30.
Opening hours of the Consular Office: Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri, 09:00 – 12:00
E-mail: Embassy.Beirut@mfa.bg
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/lebanon
Consular Service
Tel: 00961 5 452 883; 00961 5 453 658;
Fax: 00961 5 452 892;
Opening hours.
Working hours with citizens: 9:00am-12:00pm.
E-mail: Consular.Beirut@mfa.bg
Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon in Sofia
Address: 1113 Sofia, Frederic Joliot-Curie, bl. 155, apt. 13
Telephone: +359 2 971 27 34; +359 2 971 27 23; +359 2 971 13 14
Fax: +359 2 971 34 97
Working hours: 09:00 – 15:30
E-mail: amblibansofia@gmail.com
General information
In the context of the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends:
- not to travel to the Republic of Lebanon, except in cases of extreme necessity;
- Bulgarian citizens currently in the Republic of Lebanon to leave the country at the earliest opportunity, unless their stay in Lebanon is absolutely necessary;
- Bulgarian citizens in the country to strictly follow the security instructions of the local authorities, and to avoid places where events involving large gatherings of people are held, as well as places of religious significance.
We strongly recommend that citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria who are in the territory of the Republic of Lebanon report their location to the consular service in Beirut at the following email address: Consular.Beirut@mfa.bg
Bulgarian citizens can seek assistance 24 hours a day by calling:
• Situation Center Directorate: +359 2 948 24 04; +359 2 971 38 56 or by email: crisis@mfa.bg
• Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut: +961 5452883; +961 71266985 or by email: Embassy.Beirut@mfa.bg
Security level:
In view of the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the unstable security situation in Lebanon, we recommend that Bulgarian citizens in the Republic of Lebanon:
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be vigilant, avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large political gatherings, and monitor current developments in the country.
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For the personal safety of travelers, avoid traveling to:
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the southern suburbs of Beirut;
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the southern regions of the country (south of the Litani River);
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unstable areas in northern Lebanon, especially in the border areas with Syria;
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Palestinian refugee camps, which have special access restrictions;
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the districts of Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh, as well as all other areas where there is public information about tensions.
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- restrict their movements on major roads in and outside major cities, plan each trip carefully, seeking local advice, and be prepared to change their plans at short notice.
- During their stay in the Republic of Lebanon, Bulgarian citizens should provide the Embassy in Beirut with a contact telephone number/address in case of need.
- To avoid:
- being near public places during demonstrations and other forms of protest, straying from main roads, and visiting the following areas:
- places and areas near Palestinian camps, where the Lebanese authorities have limited control;
- areas south of the Litani River, where air strikes on armed groups in the country continue;
- the Bekaa Valley area and border areas with Syria.
When traveling to or from the airport:
- Be sure to check the status of your flight (delay, postponement, cancellation, etc.).
- if you cannot leave the airport (Rafic Hariri International Airport), wait there until the authorities confirm that the roads are open;
- if you need urgent consular assistance, call the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut: 00961 5 452 883, +961 76 69 77 66 and 00961 5 453 658.
We recommend that Bulgarian citizens in the Republic of Lebanon be vigilant, avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large political gatherings, and follow current developments in the country.
Healthcare:
Currently, there are no reported outbreaks of epidemics or risk of infection in Lebanon. We recommend that our compatriots obtain international medical insurance in advance for the period of their stay in the Republic of Lebanon, as medical care in the country is relatively expensive.
We advise Bulgarian citizens to strictly observe and respect local religious customs and traditions, especially in areas with a predominantly Muslim population.
Specifics of the local legislation:
It is necessary to strictly observe the authorised period of stay in the country. In case of default, persons pay a high fine for each day of delay and may be detained by the Lebanese border and migration authorities to clarify the reasons for the violation.
We advise Bulgarian citizens to strictly observe and respect local religious customs and traditions, especially in areas with a predominantly Muslim population.
Customs requirements:
Each traveller may import and export up to 2 litres of hard liquor for personal use. There are no restrictions on tobacco products. No declaration of currency is required when entering or leaving the country. Customs requirements for Lebanon can be downloaded from HERE.
Road traffic:
If you are travelling by car, you should know that:
- no diesel vehicles are allowed to enter Lebanon;
- upon entry, a mandatory customs fee of USD 10 and a mandatory civil liability fee of USD 50 are payable at the border; - international driving licences issued by the Union of Bulgarian Motorists (SBA) are valid in Lebanon, but not Bulgarian driving licenses.
Practical advice:
We recommend that Bulgarian citizens traveling to the Republic of Lebanon have sufficient cash in US dollars and a mobile phone with a prepaid plan for making calls, including mobile calls.
The WhatsApp application is widely used, including by state institutions, for the exchange of documents.
Local currency:
The local currency is the Lebanese pound. In shops, you can pay directly in US dollars. The exchange rate varies between 89,500 and 90,000 Lebanese pounds per dollar.
Climatic characteristics:
The climate of Lebanon is subtropical with dry summers and wet winters. Along the coast, the average January temperature is 13 °C, the average July temperature 28 °C, and at an altitude of about 2000 m 6 °C and 22° C respectively. Annual rainfall along the coast is 750-1000 mm (mainly from October to April), in the mountains over 1000 mm (from December to May, with snow cover on the peaks), in the Beqaa valley and on the western slopes of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains: 400-800 mm. In summer, especially in the foothills, rainfall is extremely scarce. The country’s rivers are small, with the largest being the El Litani (140 km, flowing entirely through Lebanese territory, mainly through the Beqaa Valley), and the El Hasbani 252 km and the El Asi with its upper currents. In summer, most of them dry up, and their waters are widely used for irrigation.
Travel papers and visas
A valid passport is required. A visa for Lebanon is required for Bulgarian citizens with regular passports. Bulgarian citizens can obtain a short-stay visa at the Embassy of Lebanon in Sofia, as well as at any Lebanese embassy in another country where they have permanent resident status.
Bulgarian citizens can obtain a free one-month tourist visa at Beirut airport or at Lebanon's land borders, with the possibility of extending it for two months, provided they present a purchased return ticket, hotel reservation or accommodation address.
An invitation is required for visiting guests. The visa period can be extended in Lebanon for up to one month by submitting a reasoned application to the Lebanese migration authorities (General Security, Ministry of Interior). Work visa
A work visa can only be obtained through the embassies of Lebanon. In order to apply for a work visa, the applicant must have a prior contract with an employer in Lebanon. More information on the conditions and requirements for entry and stay in Lebanon can be found HERE. There are no mandatory immunisations when entering the country.
Attention! Passport holders with Israeli visas are not allowed into the country, regardless of the status of the traveller.
Consular service
Issuance of Bulgarian identity documents:
The Embassy in Beirut has been equipped with the biometric data equipment - fingerprints and photo - for the issuance of new passports, identity cards and driving licences.
Civil status
Birth of a child of a Bulgarian national:
When a child is born on the territory of Lebanon and one or both parents are Bulgarian citizens, they must notify the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut. Within six months the parents of a new-born child shall be provided with a birth certificate, which shall be first certified with a signature and a stamp by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Interior of Lebanon and then by the Consular Office with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut. It should be then provided with a translation into Bulgarian, certified by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, and sent to the municipality of the permanent address of the mother or of the parent who is a Bulgarian citizen.
Conclusion of marriage:
Marriage can be concluded in the Bulgarian Embassy in Beirut. Marriage to a foreign national may be concluded before the consular officer if the native law of the foreign citizen so permits, and this is attested by an official document. Every Bulgarian citizen, before planning to get married at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut, must apply to the Consular Office for a date and time of the marriage ceremony by submitting the following documents: medical certificates; birth certificates; identity documents of the future spouses and witnesses; certificate of marital status issued by the municipality of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria; declarations to be completed by the persons before the marriage ceremony. For foreign nationals, all documents need to be translated and legalized.
Marriages concluded in accredited embassies or in local churches registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon shall only be recognised if performed between persons of a different nationality and religion other than Lebanese, upon presentation of a duly certified and legalized certificate. The certificate should be registered in the municipality of the husband's permanent address, and if he is not a Bulgarian citizen – in the municipality of the wife's permanent address.
Death of a Bulgarian citizen:
In the event of the death of a Bulgarian citizen on the territory of Lebanon, the Consular Office must be notified in a timely manner. The death certificate should be duly certified and legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut, provided with an officially certified translation into Bulgarian by translation companies or translators authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. The document is sent or filed in Bulgaria to the municipality of the person's permanent address. The Consular Office with the Embassy is ready to render assistance on matters related to the death of Bulgarian citizens.
Certifications and legalizations:
The Republic of Bulgaria has signed a bilateral legal assistance agreement with the Republic of Lebanon, under which documents issued by the competent authorities in each of the two countries, parties to the agreement, do not require further legalization by the other country. They must bear the original stamp and be translated into English or Bulgarian for Bulgaria, and into Arabic, English or French for Lebanon, and the translation must be certified by the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.