Business
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence-based; residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25%
- VAT
- 11%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual tax based on the estimated rental value (approx. 2-10%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approximately 5% to 6% of the property value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; however, a cash-based economy and low enforcement on foreign remote income make it de facto attractive
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800/m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200/m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,600/m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000/m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,500/m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900/m² (e.g., 80 m² = $72,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 17% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
Essentials
- City
- Tyre (Sour), South Governorate, Lebanon
- Population
- Approximately 160,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-30 Mbps via fiber in modern areas; Starlink is increasingly common for nomads ($50-100/mo)
- Currency & Banking
- Lebanese Pound (LBP) and US Dollar (USD) used interchangeably. Parallel market rate: ~89,500 LBP per 1 USD (March 2026)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 19L bottled water jugs cost approx. $2-3
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D/G. Note: Severe state outages; ensure accommodation has a private generator or solar (24/7 power is a premium feature)
- SIM Card
- Touch or Alfa; 10GB data plan costs approx. $15-20/month
- Banking for Expats
- Cash-based economy. Use OMT (Western Union) for transfers or Fresh USD accounts at Bank Audi or Blom Bank
- Accommodation
- Boutique guesthouses in the Old City or modern apartments in the Al-Remali area ($600-$1,200/month)
- Cashless Friendly
- No; strictly a cash economy for 95% of transactions
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local guesthouses like Dar Alma ($100/night) or Dar Camelia
- Budget Accommodation
- Elissa Beach Resort (Basic rooms approx. $45/night) or local apartments in the city center
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Christian Quarter (Old City) near the lighthouse and port for charm and history
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Al-Atshana or the newer residential blocks near the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve for quieter surroundings and better building utilities
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Spot (Tyre Mall area) offers informal workspace; many nomads use high-end hotel lobbies like Rest House Tyr
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tony's Cafe (Near the harbor) or Kahwat el Hara for a relaxed atmosphere with decent Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Tyre International Festivals (Summer) or events hosted by the Lebanese Association for History
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly dinners at the port restaurants or UNIFIL-related social gatherings at beachfront bars
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (Available but limited) or 'Service' (shared taxi) for approx. $1-2 per ride
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops near the Corniche; approx. $5-10 per day for bicycle rentals
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tyre Public Beach (Southern end) - famous for white sand and sea turtles
- Top Regional Airline
- Middle East Airlines (MEA)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France (via Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport)
- Highway Access
- Highway connecting Tyre to Sidon and Beirut (approx. 1.5 - 2 hours drive)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- The 'Saida-Beirut' bus station near the city entrance (Basta)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per ride in cash to van/bus drivers
- Regional Travel
- White vans to Beirut ($2-4) or private taxis for $40-60
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hiram Hospital (Southeastern entrance of Tyre)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Wellness Hub (Tyre Branch) - offers yoga and pilates classes for approx. $10-15/session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Oxygen Gym; monthly membership approx. $40-60
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Masbagha' services scattered throughout the Old City (approx. $5 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Toters (Reliable delivery for local restaurants)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sayadinah (Fish and brown rice) at Le Phenicien
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Falafel Abou Deeb (Best in town) and traditional Mezze at Al Fanar
- Best Dessert Spots
- Barbour Sweets for traditional Knefe and Baklava
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Souks (Old City) for fresh produce and spices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Ishtari.com.lb or local Instagram-based shops
- Grocery Delivery
- Spinneys (via delivery app) or local grocers on Al-Nadi street
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Old City maritime strip near the lighthouse for boutique bars
- Local Brewery
- Almaza (National Beer) or Colonel Beer (Craft beer from Batroun, available in local bars)
- Wine Bars
- Taverna del Mare (Old City) featuring Lebanese wines like Ksara and Kefraya
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Corniche' mobile carts for grilled corn and ka'ak
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizza and Italian at La Baguette or Sushi at The Roof
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Roman Hippodrome (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Museums & Art Venues
- The Tyre Cultural Center and the Archaeological Site of Al-Mina
- Historical Sites
- Al-Bass Archaeological Site (Roman Necropolis and Triumphal Arch)
- Religious Sites
- The Cathedral of Saint Thomas and the various historic mosques of the Old City
- Annual Events
- Tyre International Festival (Music and Art at the Roman ruins)
- Cultural Districts
- The Phoenician Port and the surrounding colorful alleys of the Christian Quarter
- Theater Venues
- Cinema Tyre (Historical venue occasionally used for performances)
- Local Markets
- The Old Souk (Market) for textiles, gold, and local crafts
- Music Scene
- Live Arabic music at waterfront restaurants on weekend nights
- Street Art
- Murals portraying Lebanese heritage found in the Christian Quarter
- Cooking Classes
- Traditional Lebanese sessions often arranged privately via Dar Alma boutique hotel
- Art Galleries
- Local artisan workshops in the Old City specializing in glass and pottery
- Historic Buildings
- The Crusader Cathedral ruins
- Local Heritage
- Deep-rooted maritime history and the legend of the Tyrian Purple dye
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (Sandy beaches and freshwater springs)
- National Parks Nearby
- Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Approx. 1 hour drive North-East)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Tyre Corniche (Seaside promenade) spanning over 2km
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Lighthouse (Fanar) at sunset looking over the Mediterranean
- Birdwatching Locations
- Wetlands within the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Selected areas of the sandy public beach (seasonal regulations apply)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LibanPost or Aramex (Tyre Branch)
- Tech Repair Services
- Multiple phone and laptop shops along the main High Street (Houssam Eddine El Hariri St)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs or recreational areas in larger hotels
- Language Classes
- French Cultural Center (Institut Français) for language courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The Tyre Public Library
- Community Centers
- Imam Sadr Foundation cultural wings
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in the Al-Bass area
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not available locally (Casino du Liban is near Jounieh, 2 hours north)