This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK who choose to travel against FCDO advice. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Libya’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Libya set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Libyan Embassy in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Libya, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nIf your passport shows previous travel to Israel, it will not be accepted for travel to Libya.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nBe aware that a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode could attract unwanted attention and pose a risk to your personal safety. Stay alert and exercise vigilance at all times.
\n\nIf you choose to travel to Libya against FCDO advice, ensure you have the right visa or you may be refused entry. Contact the Libyan Embassy in London for further information on the visa you require. You may require a specific type of visa depending on the nature of your trip.
\n\nA Libyan visa issued overseas may not be recognised in some areas or at certain ports of entry, due to the current political situation.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Libya guide.
\n\nAll short-stay visitors must register with the police within a week of arrival. The company you’re visiting or the local travel agency you’re using will usually arrange this. If you do not register, you could get a fine when you leave the country.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Libya. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIf you enter or leave Libya with over 10,000 US dollars-worth of cash, you must declare it to the customs authorities. If you do not, you risk having the money confiscated and even being detained.
\n\nThere is a severe shortage of cash in Libya, and the Libyan Central Bank has imposed restrictions on cash withdrawals throughout the country.
\n\nLibya is a cash-based society. You cannot use bank cards at banks, ATMs or hotels.
\n\nThe exchange of foreign currency into Libyan dinar is tightly controlled by the Libyan Central Bank. Accessing Libyan dinar through formal methods is difficult for travellers. You can legally use exchange offices approved by the Central Bank, but they operate at black market rates. No bank will change money. Informal methods of currency exchange exist though their use carries the risk of arrest.
\n\nIt is illegal to take dinar out of Libya.
\n\n","safety_html":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Libya cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. British people and nationals of other western countries are considered high-value hostages. Government buildings and security checkpoints have also been targeted in recent years, leading to deaths.
\n\nRecent significant attacks include:
\n\nIn April 2022, 3 people were injured in a car bombing attack by Islamic State near a Tariq Ibn Ziyad Brigade camp in Umm el Araneb, Southern Libya.
\nIn 2021 Daesh claimed responsibility for 2 separate bomb attacks on Libyan security forces in the Fezzan province in southern Libya. These attacks killed at least 4 people.
\nExtremist groups including Daesh in Libya (formerly referred to as ISIL) are responsible for most attacks, which have targeted:
\n\nWhile there is a greater concentration of terrorist groups in the Fezzan Province, it is highly likely smaller numbers of terrorists can move relatively freely to other towns and regions to facilitate activity outside of the Fezzan Province.
\n\nIn the north of Libya, it is likely security pressure and violence between armed groups have helped to limit the movement of terrorist groups.
\n\nIt is likely both Daesh and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are using the Fezzan region in south-west Libya as a base for operations such as people-smuggling and illegally transporting weapons. These resources are essential to support terrorist activity in West Africa.
\n\nThe risk of terrorism may be higher if you travel in the border regions. Extremist groups operating in the region, including AQIM and Daesh, conduct operations in the border areas of northern Mali, Niger and Algeria. They have a proven capability of travelling long distances to carry out attacks, including in neighbouring countries and Libya.
\n\nThere has not been a terrorist kidnap in Libya for many years. Terrorist groups within Libya have intent to carry out kidnappings and it’s a realistic possibility that they will target foreign nationals. Criminal gangs also carry out kidnappings, and there is a realistic possibility that they would sell hostages on to terrorist groups. Foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Libya in the past, including 4 foreign nationals in south-east Libya in 2018.
\n\nIt is likely that any kidnap for ransom attempt by a terrorist group in Libya would occur in the south of the country, whereas a kidnap for ransom by militias would occur in a northern coastal city.
\n\nIn recent months, the importance of oil and natural gas production in Libya has increased, and any western nationals working for oil and natural gas companies in Libya are highly likely viewed as high-value targets.
\n\nBritish nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.
\n\nThe long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.
\n\nThe political situation in Libya is fragile and the security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable.
\n\nThere is a UN-facilitated ceasefire in place between eastern and western armed forces. The risk of renewed fighting between them has decreased, but there is still a high risk of localised violence between competing armed groups throughout the country.
\n\nViolence can break out with little warning.
\n\nOn 12 May, significant armed clashes broke out across Tripoli. A ceasefire was agreed on 14 May and has largely held. The situation remains fragile and a return to violence is possible.
\n\nIn 2022, clashes between armed groups in Tripoli killed 32 people and injured over 150. Clashes again broke out in August 2023 in central Tripoli, resulting in roadblocks and the temporary closure of Mitiga Airport.
\n\nForeign forces and mercenaries continue to operate in Libya. The Interim Government of National Unity has limited control of security provision across the country. The lack of political stability has led to security incidents, road and airport closures, and oil blockades.
\n\nThere have been protests throughout Libya against the continued political deadlock, lack of basic service provision and corruption.
\n\nIf you choose to travel to Libya, you should:
\n\nmonitor the local security situation carefully
\nremain vigilant
\nhave robust security arrangements and contingency plans in place
\nBasic services across Libya vary. Petrol can be difficult to access and there are regularly long queues at fuel stations. There can also be power outages in Tripoli and the south and east, particularly in the summer months.
\n\nCrime is widespread across Libya and violent robbery, carjacking and smuggling of fuel, drugs, weapons and people are common across the country and in major cities such as Benghazi and Tripoli. Armed groups and local security services regularly carry out operations against criminal gangs.
\n\nTake sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Foreign nationals may be a target for criminals operating in Libya. Be cautious when travelling throughout the country, particularly at night. You should:
\n\nBritish people have been detained by Libya’s intelligence services or armed groups, including in Tripoli and Benghazi. You are at higher risk of detention if you work:
\n\nIf intelligence services or armed groups detain you in Libya, your health and welfare may be put at serious risk, especially if you have an existing medical condition. The British Embassy will have limited capability to help you or intervene on your behalf. Any help will be even more limited for dual nationals of Libyan origin as you will be in your home country and dual nationality is not recognised by the Libyan authorities.
\n\nBy law you must carry your passport. Foreign nationals have been arrested for failing to provide the correct documentation when requested.
\n\nLibya is an Islamic country. Respect local traditions, laws and religious customs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
\n\nRamadan dates vary by year and country.\nDuring this time do not:
\n\nGet more advice when you arrive from your hotel or business contacts.
\n\nYou should also:
\n\nIt is illegal in Libya to make any attempt to convert Muslims to another religion.
\n\nIt is illegal in Libya to drink alcohol or use drugs. Libyan authorities treat drug and alcohol offences seriously. You can be punished for use, possession and trafficking of drugs or alcohol.
\n\nThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol around the world.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and Methanol Poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nThere are often complex bureaucratic procedures needed to travel for work in Libya. Follow all relevant protocols and procedures if you intend to travel around Libya for business. You are likely to be at risk of intimidation, harassment and detention if you fail to comply with local customs.
\n\nYou must get press accreditation from the relevant government authorities. This may reduce the risk of harassment, intimidation and detention by armed groups and Libya’s intelligence services. There is a real risk of hostility from those who object to media reporting. International and local journalists have previously been detained in Libya.
\n\nYou must get permission before taking any photographs or interviewing at or near military facilities.
\n\nConsensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal for men and women in Libya, with penalties of up to five years imprisonment.
\n\nLibyan society is intolerant of people of the same sex showing affection in public. Individuals perceived to be part of the LGBT+ community have experienced physical and psychological violence and harassment. There have also been arrests for people perceived as ‘promoting homosexuality’.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nRoad travel within Libya remains highly dangerous. There is a risk of being caught up in outbreaks of localised violence between armed groups. There is a high risk of:
\n\nThe risk is very high on the coastal road between Zawiyah and Tripoli.
\n\nAll land borders into Libya are subject to closure at short notice.
\n\nIf the security situation worsens, routes in and out of major cities and towns may be blocked and airports closed or made inaccessible at little or no notice.
\n\nDo not share your travel or other plans through social media. Vary your travel routes and always keep a low profile.
\n\nRoad traffic accidents are common and often result in deaths. The emergency response to a road traffic accident may be limited.
\n\nFlights to and from all airports in Libya are at risk of cancellation at short notice.
\n\nTripoli International Airport has been closed since 2014, following clashes between armed groups in the area surrounding the airport. Other airports may change their flight schedule without notice. Mitiga Airport, which operates international flights, is Tripoli’s only currently functioning civilian airport. Fighting between armed groups in the area caused Mitiga Airport to temporarily close in 2023.
\n\nThe UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Libya that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nIn September 2023 Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya, causing severe flooding and significantly damaging critical infrastructure, including hospitals and telecommunications networks. Libya remains vulnerable to severe weather incidents, with flooding impacting cities, including Tripoli and Misrata in December 2024.
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