Libya
Summary
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all travel to Libya. This advice has been in place consistently since 2014. If you’re in Libya against this advice, you should seek to leave immediately by any practical means.
All travel to, from and within Libya is at the traveller’s risk. Local security situations are fragile and can quickly deteriorate into intense fighting and clashes without warning.
Consular support is severely limited in Libya and the British Embassy in Tripoli does not provide consular services. If you are in Libya and need urgent help from the UK government (e.g. if you have been detained) you can contact the British Embassy in Tunis on +216 71 108 700 or contact us online. If you are in the UK and are concerned about a British national in Libya, you can call the FCDO in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Libya
If you plan to travel against FCDO advice, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Libya’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning to travel to Libya against FCDO advice find out what you need to know about coronavirus in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
Military clashes and inter-militia fighting pose significant risks to air travel in Libya. It has periodically caused the temporary suspension or closure of airports. All airports are vulnerable to attack. Mitiga Airport, Tripoli’s only functioning civilian airport, has been regularly shelled by artillery, most recently on 9 May 2020. See Air travel
Since April 2019, there has been a significant build-up of militarised forces across western and central Libya. There is an increased risk of localised inter-militia clashes throughout Libya amid tensions about the postponed 24 December 2021 presidential elections and the wider political process. See Safety and security
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Libya. There remains a high threat throughout the country of terrorist attacks and kidnap against foreigners, including from Daesh-affiliated extremists (formerly referred to as ISIL) and Al Qaida, as well as armed militias. Daesh and Al Qaeda have attacked a number of oil and gas installations and killed or kidnapped workers, including foreign nationals. See Terrorism
In August and September 2020 both Tripoli and Benghazi saw demonstrations against deteriorating living conditions and corruption. Pockets of violence were seen, with reports of civilians being shot and wounded.
If you choose to travel to Libya against FCDO advice, you should get the right visa, or risk deportation. See Entry requirements
If you’re entering Libya as a media representative, you should get press accreditation from the relevant Libyan authorities.
Update history
2025-05-15 10:45
Updated information that a ceasefire has been agreed in Tripoli, but the situation remains volatile and a return to violence is possible. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-14 11:46
Updated information that fighting continues across the city of Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-13 18:16
FCDO now advises against all travel to the city of Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-05-12 20:06
Latest update: Heightened military presence in Tripoli (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2025-04-10 12:13
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the cities of Tripoli, Benghazi and Misrata. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the rest of Libya (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-10-26 08:03
On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-28 23:58
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-09-28 22:56
Updated information on the Conflict in Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-07-19 15:52
Updated assessment that terrorist attacks in Libya can’t be ruled out (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-26 12:37
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-19 15:02
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-17 15:17
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-04-14 09:20
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Summary’ page)
2024-04-12 20:03
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-08-17 16:13
Information on roads are open and there is no further disruption to Mitiga Airport (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-08-15 15:30
Information on clashes between armed groups in central Tripoli and the disruption to Mitiga Airport (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-28 16:20
Updated information on ‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Terrorism’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Money’ pages.
2023-06-22 11:15
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2022-06-13 16:40
Update to consular contact form web link (‘Summary’ and ‘Travel advice help and support’ pages)
2022-04-01 12:02
Update to information on the provision of limited consular support and the serious risks of being detained (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)