Lebanon Country Code (+961): Complete Dialing Guide 2026
Complete guide to calling Lebanon with country code +961. Learn Beirut area codes, mobile prefixes (Alfa, Touch), and the cheapest ways to call Lebanon.
The Lebanon country code is +961. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Lebanon in 2026, including how to dial Beirut, mobile carrier prefixes (Alfa, Touch), and the cheapest ways to call Lebanon from abroad.
Quick Reference: Lebanon +961
Country Code: +961
Exit Code: 00
Trunk Prefix: 0
Capital: Beirut
Time Zone: EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)
Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP)
How to Call Lebanon
International Dialing Format
To call Lebanon from abroad:
+ 961 + area code + local numberImportant: Drop the leading "0" from Lebanese numbers when calling from abroad. Example: 01 becomes 1.
Dialing Examples
Lebanon Area Codes
| City/Region | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Beirut | 01 | +961 1 |
| Mount Lebanon (Jounieh, Byblos) | 04, 09 | +961 4, +961 9 |
| Mount Lebanon (Aley, Chouf) | 05 | +961 5 |
| Tripoli (North Lebanon) | 06 | +961 6 |
| Sidon / Tyre (South Lebanon) | 07 | +961 7 |
| Zahleh / Bekaa Valley | 08 | +961 8 |
| Baabda / Metn | 05 | +961 5 |
| Batroun / Bsharri (North) | 06 | +961 6 |
| Nabatieh (South) | 07 | +961 7 |
| Hermel / Baalbek (Bekaa) | 08 | +961 8 |
| Keserwan / Jbeil | 09 | +961 9 |
Mobile Carriers in Lebanon
Lebanon has a unique telecom structure where both mobile networks are state-owned and operated under management contracts. The government owns the infrastructure and licenses, making Lebanon one of the few countries with no private mobile operators.
| Carrier | Prefixes | Market Share | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa (MIC1) | 03, 71, 76 | ~50% | 4G LTE / 3G |
| Touch (MIC2) | 70, 71, 76, 78, 79, 81 | ~50% | 4G LTE / 3G |
Special & Emergency Numbers
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 112 | General Emergency (GSM standard) |
| 140 | Internal Security Forces (Police) |
| 175 | Red Cross Ambulance |
| 125 | Civil Defense (Fire / Rescue) |
| 160 | Lebanese Army |
| 120 | Directory Enquiries |
Lebanon Telecom Overview
Lebanon's telecommunications sector is unique in the Middle East. Both mobile operators -- Alfa and Touch -- are owned by the Lebanese government and operated under management contracts. This state monopoly structure results in some of the highest mobile tariffs in the region. Fixed-line service is provided by Ogero, the state-owned telecommunications company.
The Lebanese diaspora is enormous -- an estimated 8 to 14 million people of Lebanese descent live abroad, far exceeding the roughly 5 million residents in the country. This creates very high demand for international calls to Lebanon, particularly from the Gulf states, France, Brazil, Australia, and North America.
Since the economic crisis began in 2019, Lebanon's telecom infrastructure has deteriorated significantly. Ogero reported that many fixed-line connections became non-functional due to lack of maintenance funding. Mobile coverage, while still operational, suffers from power outages that affect cell tower uptime. The situation has made internet-based communication tools like WhatsApp essential for staying in touch with people in Lebanon.
Calling Lebanon from Specific Countries
Cheapest Ways to Call Lebanon
Free app-to-app calls. Very popular in Lebanon among all generations.
Best Times to Call Lebanon
Lebanon uses Eastern European Time (EET), UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer (EEST). Lebanon observes daylight saving time from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.
From US East (EST): Lebanon is +7 hours (winter) / +7 hours (summer, due to US DST offset)
From US West (PST): Lebanon is +10 hours (winter) / +10 hours (summer)
From UK (GMT): Lebanon is +2 hours (winter) / +2 hours (summer)
Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM
Best from US East: 8 AM - 10 AM EST (3 PM - 5 PM Lebanon)
Best from US West: 6 AM - 7 AM PST (4 PM - 5 PM Lebanon)
Note: Due to Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis, power outages are frequent and can affect call connectivity. Try calling during morning hours when generator fuel is more available, or use WhatsApp which works on minimal bandwidth.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Calls dropping or poor audio quality
Lebanon's telecom infrastructure has been severely affected by the economic crisis since 2019. Frequent power outages force reliance on generators, and cell towers sometimes go offline. If calls drop, try again after a few minutes or switch to a data-based calling app.
Cannot reach Lebanese mobile number
Remember to drop the leading "0" when dialing from abroad. A number stored locally as 03 XXX XXX should be dialed as +961 3 XXX XXX internationally. Also check if the person's prepaid balance has expired -- many Lebanese have been unable to afford recharges during the economic crisis.
High call rates to Lebanon
Lebanon mobile termination rates are among the highest in the Middle East due to the state-owned monopoly structure. Calling a Lebanese mobile from abroad can cost $0.20-$0.40/min even through VoIP. Landlines are significantly cheaper. Consider using WhatsApp calls when possible.
Internet-based calls unreliable
Lebanon's internet infrastructure deteriorated sharply after 2020. Fixed broadband speeds dropped significantly, and mobile data can be inconsistent. For best results with internet calls, ask the person in Lebanon to connect to Wi-Fi rather than mobile data.
Confusion between Alfa and Touch numbers
Both carriers share some prefix ranges (71, 76). If a call does not go through, the number may have been ported between carriers. Number portability was introduced in Lebanon, so prefix alone does not always reliably indicate the carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are calls to Lebanon so expensive?
How has the economic crisis affected calling Lebanon?
Do I need to drop the 0 when calling Lebanon from abroad?
Is there 5G in Lebanon?
Tips for Calling Lebanon
- Try during daytime hours: Due to electricity rationing, cell towers and internet routers may go offline during certain hours. Daytime calls (8 AM - 6 PM Lebanon time) are more likely to succeed when generators are running.
- Have a backup communication method: Given the unreliable infrastructure, keep both a phone number and a WhatsApp contact for people in Lebanon. If a regular call fails, try WhatsApp or vice versa.
- Remember the trunk prefix rule: When dialing internationally, always drop the leading 0. This is one of the most common mistakes when calling Lebanon from abroad.
- Expect higher rates for mobile: Calling Lebanese mobile numbers is significantly more expensive than calling landlines. If the person has both, calling the landline will save money.
- Consider the time zone carefully: Lebanon observes daylight saving time (summer time). The offset from the US changes twice a year, so verify the current time difference before calling.
- WhatsApp is king: WhatsApp is by far the most used communication app in Lebanon. Almost everyone has it, and it works even on slow internet connections. Voice messages are particularly popular.