The oil and gas reserves were only recently discovered in Lebanon. There is no legislation for on-shore petroleum resources. However, in 2010 the Lebanese Parliament enacted law No. 132 to govern the offshore petroleum resources. in 2012, the Lebanese government established a new regulatory body to supervise the oil and gas sectors. This new regulatory body is known as the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (“LPA”). In April 30, 2013, the Lebanese government issued decree No. 10289 referred to us the Petroleum Activities Regulations (“PAR”). In the first week of January 2017, the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the implementing regulations for law No. 132/2010.

The banking secrecy was established in 1956. The banking secrecy prohibits the disclosure of any information regarding the banks’ clients, their account numbers or balances

A foreign company may set up a branch office in Lebanon. In order to do so, the foreign company must appoint a resident as its representative. The representative may be an employee of the company. He/she must also be its attorney-in-fact with full power to legally represent and have specific power to register the company.

In Lebanon, commercial representation agreements are governed by Decree-Law No. 34 of August 5, 1967. The Lebanese legislator enacted Decree-Law 34/67 in order to provide the Lebanese commercial representatives with strong protection vis-à-vis the major international entities they may be representing in Lebanon.

Lebanon has a very old designs and models law that dates from 1924. A new draft law is currently under preparation to update and modernize said old law. For a summary in Arabic of the 1924 law, please refer to proper file on this website.

Holding companies are governed by Decree Law No. 45 dated June 24, 1983. Said Decree-Law authorizes the establishment of holding companies and grants them certain privileges.

In accordance with Legislative Decree No. 54 issued on June 16, 1977, it is no longer necessary to obtain a Decree by the Council of Ministers in order to form a joint stock company. Notarization of the company's articles of incorporation by a Notary Public is, however, required.

A limited liability company (“LLC”) is a commercial company that consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of twenty partners. The articles of incorporation of the LLC should be notarized and registered with the Register of Commerce.

Decree-Law No. 46 enacted on 24-6-1983 governs the incorporation and operation of the offshore companies in Lebanon. A offshore company must take the form of a joint stock company and is subject to the incorporation and operational requirements that apply to the joint stock company.

Lebanon passed a new patent law in 2000. The new patent law is based on the modern legal principles that govern patents including the legal principles provided for in the TRIPs agreement. Please see our summary of the provisions of the said new patent law in Arabic found on this website.

All legal entities, regardless of type, purpose, nationality or place of business, are subject to the income tax provisions of Decree-Law 144 dated June 12, 1959 ("DL 144") for their income derived in Lebanon. Corporate tax is now set at 17% of the net profit.

A foreign company may set up a representative office in Lebanon. In order to do so, the foreign company must appoint a manager for the representative office with full power to legally represent and manage the representative office.

This is a summary of the key provisions of the copyright law of Lebanon in Arabic.

This is a summary of the key provisions of the designs and models law of Lebanon in Arabic.

This is a summary of the key provisions of the Lebanese labor law.

This is a summary of the key provisions of the patent law of Lebanon in Arabic.

Holding companies have a favorable tax treatment. They pay a maximum of $3,334 per year.

Offshore companies have a favorable tax treatment. They pay a fixed annual tax of $667 per year.

Between May 1888 and January 1924, trademarks were essentially protected in Lebanon by an Ottoman law dated May 11, 1888 and an Ottoman Decree dated October 8, 1888. These two statutes remained in force until January 17, 1924, date of the enactment of Decree No. 2385 (the "Decree") issued by the French High Commissioner.

Lebanon does not have a special unfair competition law. The only two articles that deal with unfair competition are articles 97 and 98 of Ordinance No. 2385 of 1924.

A value added tax (VAT) of 11% is levied on most transactions regarding goods and services.