A foreign company may open a branch in Lebanon to carry out its commercial, industrial or service activities directly, under the same legal personality as the parent company.
- No minimum capital requirement.
- Full foreign ownership is permitted.
- The branch is not a separate legal entity – liabilities are assumed by the parent company.
- A local legal representative must be appointed.
- The branch may issue invoices, sign contracts and open bank accounts.
Registration requires legalized incorporation documents from the parent company, a power of attorney appointing local counsel, filing with the Commercial Registry, and registration with the Ministry of Finance for a VAT number. A branch lets a foreign company retain full control from abroad while testing the Lebanese market at lower cost than incorporating an SAL or SARL. Mattar Law Firm manages the full registration and compliance process.