Lebanon’s New Health Club Licensing Rules: What Decree 2571 Means for Fitness Center Owners

On February 19, 2026, Lebanon’s President signed Decree No. 2571, setting out the licensing conditions for health and fitness clubs, legally referred to as Health Clubs. The decree was published in the Official Gazette, Issue 11, on March 5, 2026.

The decree implements Law No. 264 of January 5, 2022, which had already amended the law organizing the Ministry of Youth and Sports to require licensing of health clubs. It follows consultation with the State Shura Council and Cabinet approval on January 30, 2026.

If you own, manage, or plan to open a fitness center, gym, or Health Club in Lebanon, whatever it is branded as, this decree now governs how it must be licensed, built, staffed, and operated.

What Is Decree 2571?

Decree 2571 is Lebanon’s new regulatory framework for health clubs and fitness centers. It sets detailed administrative, technical, health, space, safety, staffing, and compliance requirements for operating a licensed fitness facility.

Who Does the Decree Cover?

The decree applies to centers, institutions, commercial companies, clubs, and associations that provide health and fitness services to clients in exchange for paid subscriptions.

Gyms located inside residential buildings that serve only the building’s owners or occupants are exempt from licensing under this decree.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is the licensing authority. It also has the power to conduct periodic inspections, including surprise random doping tests on club members, and to issue warnings, violation reports, and license revocations for non-compliance.

Who Can Apply for a Health Club License?

A health club may be owned by either an individual or a legal entity. Individual applicants must have held Lebanese nationality for more than ten years and must be over eighteen years old. Legal entities, including companies and institutions, apply through their legally authorized signatory.

The club must be located in a standalone building, a non-residential commercial building, or a residential building with the building committee’s approval.

Required Documents for Licensing

Applicants must submit a formal request to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, supported by the required legal, real estate, technical, and safety documents. These include:

• A signed application using the Ministry template, including applicant and club details.
• Civil registry extract or ID copy.
• Commercial registration certificate and/or relevant license for companies.
• Power of attorney copy, if applicable.
• A judicial record certificate issued within the past month.
• Proof of legal occupancy of the premises, such as a property title deed, a municipally registered lease valid for at least three years, or a notarized tolerance agreement valid for at least three years.
• A real estate statement for the property, or an ilm w khabar certificate for unsurveyed zones.
• A detailed floor plan signed by a civil or architectural engineer registered with the Order of Engineers.
• Municipal approval to open the club, plus a municipal engineer’s statement confirming the premises are fit for use.
• A Civil Defense report confirming that general safety requirements are met.
• Copies of trainers’ degrees or certifications.
• A pledge to insure staff and members’ lives against emergencies, with proof of coverage due within one month of licensing.
• A pledge to comply with Lebanon’s international anti-doping obligations.
• A pledge to comply with all duties set by the Ministry under the decree or future circulars.

Trainer Qualification Requirement

Trainers must hold a degree in physical education and sports from a Lebanese or foreign university recognized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.

Space, Facility, and Equipment Requirements

The decree sets detailed technical and health standards for health clubs, including minimum areas, minimum facility requirements, room contents, equipment, ventilation, safety, and hygiene rules.

Minimum Space and Facilities

• Minimum club area: 30 square meters.
• Small studio clubs are capped at 50 square meters.
• At least one management office or counter, or a management app in lieu of an office.
• At least two restrooms, one for men and one for women.
• At least two showers, one for men and one for women.
• At least two changing rooms.
• At least twenty personal lockers.
• At least one training hall.

Minimum Dimensions

• Training hall: minimum 18 square meters and minimum ceiling height of 2.75 meters.
• Management office: minimum 6 square meters, not required for small studios.
• Restroom, shower, and changing room block: minimum 10 square meters and ceiling height of 2.75 meters.

Mandatory Contents by Room

Where a management office exists, it must include a desk and chair, filing cabinet, dedicated phone line, computer, stocked first-aid cabinet, fire extinguisher, trash bin, and natural or mechanical ventilation.

Restrooms must include a toilet with shower for men and another for women, a sink, mirror, adequate lighting, and sterilization supplies. Changing rooms must include at least twenty lockable personal lockers, a trash bin, adequate lighting, and ventilation or air conditioning.

The training hall must include a closed, flat, non-slip floor, natural or mechanical ventilation, adequate lighting, an AED defibrillator, and a defined minimum set of fitness equipment.

Application Timeline

Once an application is filed, the Ministry has 60 actual working days to verify all administrative, technical, and health conditions, including an on-site inspection, and issue a reasoned decision. If no decision is issued within that period, the application is deemed implicitly rejected.

If the application is rejected explicitly or implicitly, the applicant may request a review from the Minister within one week. The Minister must then decide within two weeks. These deadlines do not affect the applicant’s right to appeal to the State Shura Council.

Ongoing Obligations for Licensed Health Clubs

Once licensed, health clubs must comply with a long list of operating duties, including:

• Regular maintenance of the facility and equipment.
• Posted signage for club rules, no-smoking notices, and membership or age conditions.
• Written parental consent for minors.
• A dedicated social media account for the club.
• Clear safety instructions and warning signage near equipment.
• Annual first-aid training for all staff, including CPR and AED certification.
• Personal health files for every member, including a signed health declaration.
• Annual EKG testing for members aged twelve and older.
• A strict ban on banned substances and doping products under WADA standards.
• No sale or promotion of food supplements or protein products without Ministry of Health approval.
• Accessibility accommodations for people with disabilities if the facility exceeds 80 square meters.
• Compliance with Civil Defense fire-safety requirements.
• CCTV cameras in most areas, excluding changing rooms and restrooms.
• No electronic or video games on the premises.
• Massage services only with prior Ministry of Health approval.
• Notification to the Ministry of any additional services offered beyond fitness.
• Soundproofing where needed to prevent disturbing neighbors.
• Annual filings with the Ministry by the end of January.

Special Notes for Universities and Educational Institutions

Universities, colleges, and institutes that operate on-campus fitness facilities must obtain a license under the decree if the facility is used by anyone outside their own staff and enrolled students.

Transition Period: Act Within One Year

All existing health clubs, fitness centers, and gyms, regardless of their current branding, must apply to regularize their status with the Ministry of Youth and Sports within one year of the decree’s publication, by March 5, 2027. Failure to do so exposes the club to full closure.

License Revocation

The Ministry may revoke a license if a club violates applicable laws or loses one of its licensing conditions, but only after issuing a written warning and giving the club up to six months to correct the violation. The license is suspended during the correction period.

Licensing Fees

The decree does not set the fee amounts itself. The licensing fee, regularization fee, and fees for violation reports will be fixed separately by a Cabinet decree proposed jointly by the Ministers of Finance and Youth and Sports. These fees are payable to the National Account for Sports Support created under Law No. 264/2022.

How Phoenix Law Firm Can Help

Decree 2571 introduces detailed compliance obligations that touch on real estate, corporate structuring, staffing, insurance, and health and safety, all within a strict licensing and regularization timeline.

• Structuring the license application and gathering required documentation.
• Reviewing lease or property documents for compliance with occupancy requirements.
• Advising on the one-year regularization deadline for existing clubs.
• Responding to Ministry warnings, violation reports, or license disputes.
• Handling appeals before the Minister or the State Shura Council.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult directly with our legal team.