Lebanon

Possessing, using and trafficking illegal drugs — including small quantities — are all serious offences in Lebanon, punishable with prison.

Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and large fines.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in Lebanon, including small amounts for personal use. Lebanon's 2020 law is widely misreported as legalising cannabis: it only allows licensed cultivation for medical and industrial use, and it expressly keeps the drug law's penalties in force. Possessing, holding or buying even a personal-sized amount is a criminal offence under article 127 of the 1998 narcotics law, punishable by three months to three years in prison plus a fine, and no quantity is published as safe.

Possessing, holding or buying even a small amount judged to be for personal use carries three months to three years in prison plus a fine (Law 673/1998, art. 127). The fine is stated in the 1998 text in Lebanese pounds; given the currency's collapse, ask the authorities for the current figure rather than relying on the amount in the statute. A court may suspend or waive the sentence for a minor or a non-repeat offender who submits to court-ordered treatment, but that is discretionary and only after conviction. Anything treated as going beyond personal use, including supplying, selling or trafficking, falls under articles 125 and 126, which carry up to life imprisonment with hard labour.

Verified Sep 28, 2026

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription and confirm legality with Lebanon's Ministry of Health; Lebanon has significant medication shortages, so bring enough for the whole trip.

Verified Jun 26, 2026

Lebanese customs may strictly regulate import/export of firearms, military paraphernalia, professional camera equipment, other communications equipment, and antiquities.

Contact the Embassy of Lebanon for requirements; violations can bring detention and confiscation.

Verified Jun 26, 2026

An International Driving Permit is required to drive in Lebanon and you must carry your licence, vehicle registration and proof of insurance; vehicles with diesel engines are banned.

Diesel-engine vehicles are banned; expect to stop at army checkpoints and show your papers.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

Take photographs only at tourist sites in Lebanon: you could be arrested for photographing military sites, may be detained for taking photos in Hizballah areas, and flying a camera drone without permission is illegal.

Detention or arrest; flying a drone camera without permission is illegal.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

Flying a drone camera in Lebanon without permission is illegal. UK government travel advice states the rule flatly, in the same passage that warns you to take photographs only at tourist sites and that you could be arrested for photographing military sites. The advice names no permission route and no authority to apply to, so treat any unauthorised flight as an offence rather than assuming a tourist is exempt or that permission can be arranged on arrival.

Verified Sep 29, 2026

Same-sex relationships are criminalised in Lebanon and punishable by up to one year in prison.

Up to 1 year in prison; arrests have followed unrelated minor offences.

Verified Jul 30, 2026

During Ramadan in Lebanon do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public during daylight hours — including in your car — and avoid playing loud music, dancing or swearing in public.

Verified Jul 30, 2026