Local Laws

Proseletyzing is illegal in Libya. Penalties are severe. In addition to possibly facing the death penalty, proseltyzers may be the target of extra-judicial killings.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Libya, you are subject to Libyan laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be very different from our own. You may be detained for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings, especially military and government facilities. Driving under the influence can result in immediate detention. There are also some things that might be legal in Libya, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Libya, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not before you go.

Persons violating Libyan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Since most law enforcement is currently performed by militias, there is no clear legal process to be navigated. You may be detained indefinitely with no rights to a trial or access to an attorney. The Department of State may not be notified of your detention, and Department of State cannot visit detainees due to security reasons. During your detention, you may not be provided with basic toiletries or appropriate nutrition. If detained, you should repeatedly request that you be permitted to contact the U.S. State Department or nearest U.S. Embassy.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Libya are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Alcohol is also prohibited in Libya, and possessing, using, or trafficking in alcohol can carry severe penalties. Libyan customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the introduction into Libya or removal from Libya of firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, and currency. The importation and consumption of alcohol, pornography, and pork products are illegal in Libya. Please see our Customs information.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Libya's economy operates on a “cash-only" basis for almost all transactions. Some hotels, restaurants, and major airlines are the only businesses known to accept credit cards (Visa is accepted more often than MasterCard). Travelers should consult their banking institution prior to travel to ensure that transactions from Libya can be accepted. A small number of ATMs are in service in the country, but their availability and functionality are sporadic. Foreign visitors should be aware that the penalties for use of unauthorized currency dealers are severe. Banking institutions often operate at sporadic hours.

A number of Libyan entities have assets frozen by economic sanctions. For further information, please contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department. 

Dual Nationality: In addition to being subject to all Libyan laws, U.S. citizens of Libyan origin may also be subject to laws that impose special obligations on Libyan citizens. The Government of Libya considers all children born to Libyan fathers to be Libyan citizens, even if they were not issued a Libyan birth certificate or a Libyan passport. Dual Libyan-American nationals may not enter or leave Libya on their U.S. passports and must obtain a Libyan travel document before traveling to Libya. Persons with dual nationality who travel to Libya on their Libyan passports are normally treated as Libyan citizens by the local government. The U.S. Department of State’s ability to provide U.S. consular assistance to those traveling on Libyan passports is extremely limited. For additional information, please see our information on dual nationality.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Libya. Penalties include fines or jail time. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Libya, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014. For further information on LGBT travel, please review the LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Libya, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what they find in the United States.

Libyan law provides for the rights of persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities, and provides for monetary and other types of social care. Additionally, a number of government-approved organizations care for persons with disabilities and protect access to employment, education, health care, and other state services. Few public facilities, however, have adequate access for persons with physical disabilities.