✈️

🇱🇧 Lebanon

Moving Guide

Moving to Lebanon requires pragmatic preparation. The lack of formal visa infrastructure for long-term expats means most people arrive on tourist visas and sort things out locally.

30 days

Visa on Arrival

Extendable to 3 months

$5,000–$8,000

Cash to Bring

For first 2 months

1–2 weeks

Apartment Search

On the ground in Beirut

Day 1 priority

Generator Setup

Confirm before signing lease

Overview

Moving to Lebanon requires pragmatic preparation. The lack of formal visa infrastructure for long-term expats means most people arrive on tourist visas and sort things out locally. Bringing sufficient USD cash, securing temporary accommodation, and having realistic expectations about infrastructure challenges are the keys to a smooth transition.

Key Takeaways

  • Visa: check if your nationality qualifies for visa-on-arrival (80+ countries do) — no advance application needed
  • Day 1: Get a local SIM card at the airport — Alfa or Touch; prepaid data plans from $10/month
  • ✓ Passport valid for 6+ months with no Israeli stamps
  • Light packing recommended: most expats bring 2 suitcases and buy the rest locally
  • SIM card: purchase at airport or any Alfa/Touch shop; bring passport for registration
1

Planning Your Move — Before You Leave

Moving to Lebanon is less bureaucratic than moving to Europe but requires practical preparation. The most important thing is arriving with enough USD cash to cover your first few months, a plan for temporary accommodation, and realistic expectations about infrastructure.

  • Visa: check if your nationality qualifies for visa-on-arrival (80+ countries do) — no advance application needed
  • Cash: bring $5,000–$8,000 in USD cash (mostly $20s and smaller bills) for first 2 months
  • Temporary accommodation: book 2–4 weeks on Airbnb to give yourself time to apartment hunt
  • Health insurance: arrange international health insurance before departure — Allianz Care, Cigna, or APRIL International
  • Embassy registration: register with your country's embassy in Beirut before or immediately after arrival
  • Research neighborhoods: read expat forums and Facebook groups to narrow down where you want to live
  • Medication: bring a 3-month supply of any prescription medications, plus copies of prescriptions
2

Your First Week in Lebanon

The first week is about settling practical necessities — phone, internet, temporary accommodation, and getting oriented. Beirut is a walkable city in the center, and most practical tasks can be accomplished quickly with the right information.

  • Day 1: Get a local SIM card at the airport — Alfa or Touch; prepaid data plans from $10/month
  • Day 1–3: Settle into your Airbnb and explore the neighborhood; identify nearby shops, pharmacies, and restaurants
  • Day 3–5: Start apartment hunting — join Facebook housing groups, contact local agents, walk target neighborhoods
  • Week 1: Open a basic bank account if needed (for fresh dollar deposits) — Bank Audi or BLOM Bank
  • Week 1: Register with your embassy for security alerts and consular services
  • Week 1–2: Find a gym, coworking space, or café to establish a daily routine
  • Week 2: Visit General Security if you need to extend your visa beyond 30 days
3

Pre-Departure Checklist

Before leaving for Lebanon, make sure you've covered these essentials. Unlike European moves, there's no complex visa application process — but practical preparation is crucial.

  • ✓ Passport valid for 6+ months with no Israeli stamps
  • ✓ USD cash: $5,000–$8,000 in small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20) and larger ($50, $100)
  • ✓ International health insurance policy active from day 1
  • ✓ Airbnb or hotel booked for first 2–4 weeks
  • ✓ 3-month supply of any prescription medications with doctor's letters
  • ✓ Digital copies of all important documents (passport, insurance, prescriptions) stored in cloud
  • ✓ VPN installed on all devices (useful for accessing some services)
  • ✓ Power bank and universal adapter for travel
  • ✓ Embassy contact details saved offline
  • ✓ Join key Facebook groups: 'Expats in Lebanon', 'Apartments for Rent in Beirut', 'Beirut Digital Nomads'
4

Shipping Your Belongings

Most expats move to Lebanon with luggage rather than shipping containers. The uncertainty of long-term planning and the availability of furnished apartments mean that traveling light is the standard approach. If you do need to ship items, here's what to expect.

  • Light packing recommended: most expats bring 2 suitcases and buy the rest locally
  • Furnished apartments: widely available — reduces the need to ship furniture
  • Shipping container (20ft) from US: approximately $3,000–$6,000; from Europe: $2,000–$4,000
  • Customs clearance: can be slow and bureaucratic — hire a local customs broker
  • Import duties: apply to most imported goods; electronics and luxury items taxed at higher rates
  • Port of entry: Beirut Port — the same port affected by the 2020 explosion; operations have resumed
  • Electronics: buy in Lebanon or bring from home — both options work; Lebanese voltage is 220V
5

Essential Admin After Arrival

Lebanon's administrative requirements for expats are lighter than most European countries, but there are still important tasks to handle in your first weeks.

  • SIM card: purchase at airport or any Alfa/Touch shop; bring passport for registration
  • Visa extension: if staying beyond 30 days, visit General Security office in Beirut (Mathaf area)
  • Bank account: optional but useful for 'fresh dollar' deposits — Bank Audi, BLOM Bank, or Byblos Bank
  • Apartment rental agreement: insist on written terms even if informal; photograph the apartment condition on move-in
  • Generator subscription: confirm with landlord/building manager on day 1 — essential for electricity
  • Internet setup: Ogero (state provider) for DSL/VDSL; IDM or Cyberia for fiber in select areas
  • Driving: international driving permits accepted; Lebanese license obtainable for long-term residents
FAQs

Common Questions — Moving Guide in Lebanon

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