Employer of Record in Lebanon

Guide to Hiring
Employees in
Lebanon

Your guide to hiring employees in Lebanon, covering the employment landscape, employer of record responsibilities, working customs, and local labor laws.

In This Guide

How to Hire Employees In Lebanon

Hiring in Lebanon requires careful navigation of local labor laws, social security obligations, and political-economic complexities. While Lebanon offers a well-educated, multilingual workforce, companies must ensure compliance with Lebanese Labor Law and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) requirements. Whether you’re expanding locally or remotely managing talent, SOURCEitHR’s Employer of Record (EOR) solution allows for fast and compliant hiring in Lebanon—without needing to set up a local entity.

Companies Can Hire Employees in Lebanon in Three Ways:

  1. Setting Up a Legal Entity
    Incorporating a business in Lebanon involves registration with the Commercial Registry, Ministry of Finance, and NSSF. This is suitable for companies with long-term operations in the country.
  2. Using an Employer of Record (EOR)
    An EOR like SOURCEitHR becomes the legal employer of your staff in Lebanon, handling compliance, contracts, payroll, and contributions—so you can hire without opening a local branch.
  3. Hiring Independent Contractors
    Flexible and cost-effective, this method carries misclassification risks. If the contractor behaves like an employee, your company may face legal and financial penalties.

Using an Employer of Record in Lebanon

An EOR in Lebanon simplifies hiring by managing:

  • Employment Contracts
    Drafting bilingual Arabic-English agreements in line with Lebanese Labor Law.
  • Work Permits (for Foreigners)
    Processing work and residence permits through the Ministry of Labor and General Security.
  • Payroll & Social Contributions
    Handling monthly payroll in LBP or USD (if agreed), and managing deductions for:
    • NSSF (National Social Security Fund)
    • Family compensation
    • Health and maternity benefits
  • Leave & Benefits Compliance
    Ensuring employees receive all statutory rights including paid leave, sick days, and end-of-service indemnities.

Good To Know

Arabic is the official language, but French and English are widely used, especially in business.
Lebanon’s workforce is highly skilled, with strong talent in finance, tech, design, and language services.
Political instability and currency fluctuations can affect payroll and financial planning.
Employers must ensure salaries are paid on time and fairly, especially in light of economic volatility.

Employment Contracts in Lebanon

Requirements

Contracts must include:

  • Full names of parties
  • Job title and description
  • Salary (in LBP or foreign currency)
  • Working hours and leave terms
  • Contract duration (fixed or indefinite)
  • Termination clauses

 

Probation Period

  • Maximum of 3 months
  • Must be clearly stated in the employment contract

Working Hours and Overtime

  • Standard hours: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week (typically Monday to Friday)
  • Friday or Saturday are often observed as rest days depending on the sector

 

Overtime

  • Employees are entitled to:
    • 125% of regular pay for weekday overtime
    • 150% for weekend or public holiday work
  • Overtime must not exceed 12 hours/day

Payroll and Compensation in Lebanon

Payroll Cycle

  • Monthly; payments are typically made by the end of each month

 

Minimum Wage

  • As of 2024, the official minimum wage was updated to 9,000,000 LBP/month
    (subject to change due to inflation and currency valuation)

 

Currency

  • Salaries may be paid in Lebanese Pounds (LBP) or US Dollars (USD) if agreed

Social Security Contributions

Employer Contributions

Type

Rate

NSSF – Family Allowances

6%

NSSF – Health & Maternity

8%

NSSF – End-of-Service Indemnity

8.50%

Total Employer

22.50%

 

Employee Contributions

Type

Rate

NSSF – Health & Maternity

3%

Income Tax in Lebanon

  • Progressive income tax applies to employees’ salaries
  • Rates range from 2% to 25%, depending on income bracket
  • Employers are responsible for monthly withholding tax remittance

Leave & Benefits in Lebanon

Annual Leave

  • Minimum of 15 working days of paid leave per year after 1 year of service
  • Pro-rated for shorter periods

 

Public Holidays

Lebanon observes around 20 public holidays, including:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Good Friday (Christian)
  • Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Independence Day (Nov 22)

 

Sick Leave

  • Up to 26 days per year after providing a medical certificate

 

Maternity Leave

  • 10 weeks of fully paid maternity leave
  • Can begin up to 1 month before expected delivery date

 

Paternity Leave

  • 3 days of paid leave following the birth of a child

Termination and Severance

Notice Period

  • Determined by contract or collective agreement
  • Typically 1 month for resignation or dismissal

 

Severance Pay (Indemnity)

  • Equal to 1 month’s salary for each year of service
  • Paid at termination unless the employee is dismissed for serious misconduct

Why Use SOURCEitHR's EOR in Lebanon?

  • Hire legally without opening a company
  • Fast onboarding (5–10 business days)
  • Full payroll and tax compliance
  • Local legal and HR expertise
  • Mitigates risk amid economic and legal uncertainty

DISCLAIMER

This content is prepared for informational purposes only and is subject to change. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. Please consult a local legal advisor or the SOURCEitHR team before making any employment-related decisions.