Contract templates in Lebanon: the rules to know

• Permanent employment contract

  Hiring for a permanent position

  The 1946 Labour Code scales notice to length of service and limits probation to 3 months.

  • Written notice (art. 50): 1 month up to 3 years of service, 2 months from 3 to 6 years, 3 months from 6 to 12 years, 4 months beyond.
  • Abusive dismissal: compensation set by the judge at between 2 and 12 months' wages; abusive resignation by the employee: 1 to 4 months (art. 50).
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• Fixed-term employment contract

  Assignment or replacement with an end date

  The 1946 Labour Code (art. 58) defines a fixed-term contract by an end date or a specific task; if renewed or continued without interruption for at least two years, it becomes open-ended.

  • The contract is fixed-term if it sets an end date or the performance of a specific task (art. 58).
  • It becomes open-ended if renewed or continued without interruption for at least two years (art. 58).
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• Internship agreement

  Internships and first-job schemes

  In Lebanon, the 1946 Labour Code covers workers in training and leaves the terms of the training contract to decrees.

  • The Labour Code covers workers in training who have not yet acquired skilled-worker status (art. 3).
  • At the end of training, the apprentice is entitled to a certificate of competence (art. 18); special pay conditions apply (art. 19).
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• Resignation letter

  Leaving a job properly

  In Lebanon, an employee on an open-ended contract resigns by written notice, whose length grows with seniority.

  • Open-ended contract: either party may end it; notice must be in writing (art. 50).
  • Notice: 1 month up to 3 years of service, 2 months from 3 to 6 years, 3 months from 6 to 12 years, 4 months beyond (art. 50).
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• Service agreement

  Work carried out for a client

  In Lebanon, the 1932 Code of Obligations and Contracts is the general law that applies; Law No. 81 of 2018 governs electronic transactions.

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• Agreement between two parties

  Mutual commitments in writing

  In Lebanon, the 1932 Code of Obligations and Contracts is the general law that applies; Law No. 81 of 2018 treats electronic writing as equivalent to paper writing.

  • An electronic writing is treated as equivalent to a paper writing under the functional-equivalence principles of Law No. 81/2018.
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• Freelance contract

  Independent professional and client

  In Lebanon, an employment contract can be oral (Labour Code, Art. 12): the actual relationship matters more than the contract's label.

  • An employment contract can be oral (Art. 12): a de facto working relationship may be enough for reclassification.
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• Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)

  Sharing sensitive information

  In Lebanon, the 1932 Code of Obligations and Contracts is the general law that applies; Law No. 81 of 2018 governs any personal data exchanged.

  • Define precisely the confidential information, the term, the exceptions and the return of documents.
  • Personal data exchanged is subject to Law 81/2018; processing is often subject to a declaration to the Ministry of Economy.
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• Partnership agreement

  Joint project between companies

  In Lebanon, the 1932 Code of Obligations and Contracts is the general law that applies; the sharing of personal data falls under Law No. 81 of 2018.

  • In practice, the contract provides for governance, intellectual property, exclusivity, exit and the governing law or arbitration.
  • The sharing of personal data between partners falls under Law No. 81/2018.
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• Sale of goods

  Selling goods and movable property

  In Lebanon, the Code of Obligations and Contracts governs sales; Law No. 659 of 2005 regulates consumer sales, including distance sales.

  • Consumers: right to go back on the purchase within 10 days, unless the product or service has been used (Law No. 659/2005, art. 55).
  • Defective product not replaced: the consumer may request rescission of the sale and a refund (art. 32).
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• Influencer agreement

  Brand and creator collaboration

  In Lebanon, advertising falls under Consumer Protection Law No. 659/2005; rules specific to influencer agreements remain to be confirmed.

  • Misleading advertising is prohibited (Law No. 659/2005, Art. 11); advertising principles are set by Decree No. 3380 of 5 May 2016.
  • The Ministry of Economy requires clear advertisements stating the final price, including taxes and delivery fees (announcement of 23 February 2017).
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• Residential lease

  Renting a home

  In Lebanon, residential leases distinguish between “free” leases and old leases, the latter being governed by the 2014 rent law.

  • “Free” leases concluded since 23 July 1992 are governed by the Code of Obligations and Contracts (COC) and by freedom of contract on the rent.
  • The 2014 law provided for the gradual liberalisation of old rents over 9 years from 2015, or 12 years for beneficiaries of the assistance fund.
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• Commercial lease

  Renting business premises

  In Lebanon, old non-residential leases signed before 23 July 1992 are reformed by Law No. 11 of 2025; the rules for recent leases remain to be confirmed.

  • Old non-residential leases (before 23/7/1992): Law No. 11 of 12 June 2025, published in the Official Gazette, amended by a law passed on 31 July 2025.
  • Amended version: extension of 5 to 8 years depending on the category (key money paid, area over 500 m², liberal professions), then a freely agreed lease.
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• Acknowledgment of debt

  Money lent between individuals

  In Lebanon, the 1932 Code of Obligations and Contracts is the general law that applies; the amount and due date are stated clearly in the document.

  • The Lebanese statutory interest rate dates from the Ottoman period and has not been changed since.
  • The amount is written in figures and in words, together with the due date.
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• Car sale agreement

  Selling a used vehicle

  In Lebanon, the 1932 Code of Obligations and Contracts is the general law that applies to a private sale.

  • An appointment is booked online on the website of the Traffic, Vehicle and Mechanics Management Authority (NAFAA) before going to the centre.
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• Power of attorney

  Acting on someone else's behalf

  In Lebanon, which does not apply the apostille, a power of attorney made abroad goes through the Lebanese consulate.

  • Real estate power of attorney: precise identification of the property (number and location) and a copy of the title deed or land certificate, required by consulates.
  • Lebanon is not a party to the Apostille Convention: a foreign document must be legalised, then endorsed by the Lebanese consulate.
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