Circular 2/2026: Regulations on the Sale of Foreign Currency to Individuals by Exchange Offices and Companies

Central Bank of Libya
P.O. Box 1103
Telegraphic Address: Misrifybia - Tripoli - Libya

Circular Erm No. (2026/2)
Date: 13 Sha'ban 1447
Corresponding to: 01/February/2026

To:
Heads of Boards of Directors of Licensed Exchange Companies Managers of Licensed Exchange Offices Greetings...

Subject: Regulations on the Sale of Foreign Currency to Individuals through Exchange Offices and Companies

Based on the provisions of Law No. 1 of 2005 and its amendments, and on the supervisory and regulatory role of the Central Bank of Libya, and on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Libya Decision No. 8 of 2024 regarding the final approval of exchange offices and companies and the rules governing their work, and on Decision No. 5 of 2026 regarding the determination of the maximum limit for the sale of foreign currency.

And with reference to Circular No. 16 of 2025 regarding the profit margin on the sale of foreign currency, and Circular No. 17 of 2025 regarding authorizing banks to open foreign currency accounts on behalf of exchange companies and offices, and on the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Decision No. (6) of 2018 regarding the determination of amounts to be disclosed upon entering or exiting Libya.

We hereby convey to you the instructions of the Central Bank of Libya regarding the regulations on the sale of foreign currency to individuals, including citizens and resident foreigners, through exchange offices and companies as follows:

First: Regulations Governing Foreign Currency Purchase and Sale Operations:

1. The activities of exchange offices and companies are subject to the regulations and rules governing them as stipulated in the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Libya Decision No. (8) of 2024.

2. Without prejudice to the regulations governing the sale of foreign currency to individual citizens, these instructions apply to the sale of foreign currency through exchange offices and companies.

3. Exchange companies and offices may purchase foreign currency from individual customers in cash and through approved electronic payment systems.

4. The daily ceiling for purchases of foreign currency by exchange companies and offices from the Central Bank of Libya shall not exceed 70% of their available balance in their Libyan Dinar account.

5. Exchange offices and companies are obligated to sell foreign currency to individuals, including citizens and resident foreigners, through the unified electronic platform designated for exchange offices and companies, owned by the Central Bank of Libya.

6. The sale of foreign currency shall be conducted exclusively through the unified electronic platform supervised by the Central Bank of Libya, and all exchange offices and companies are obligated to connect electronically to the platform.

7. Offices and companies are obligated to record customer data for citizens at each sale transaction as follows:

• Basic customer data (Name - Passport Number - National ID Number - Phone number linked to the National ID).
• Type of transaction (Cash / Bank Transfer).
• Amount and Currency.
• Transaction Date.
• Customer's Cumulative Balance.

8. Offices and companies are obligated to record customer data for resident foreigners at each sale transaction as follows:

• Basic customer data (Name - Copy of Passport - Copy of Residence Permit or Work Contract or Census Card), ensuring that documents are valid.
• Type of transaction (Cash / Bank Transfer).
• Amount and Currency.
• Transaction Date.
• Customer's Cumulative Balance.

9. Adherence to the maximum limits of amounts allowed to be sold in foreign currency to individuals for citizens, amounting to $8,000 annually, excluding amounts allocated for specific personal purposes set at $2,000, medical treatment at $10,000, and study at $7,500, according to specific instructions, and $3,000 annually, with a maximum of $300 per month for resident foreigners working in the public or private sector, in addition to salary remittances and dues of workers with employment contracts in the public sector, organized by instructions issued by the Central Bank of Libya specifically for this purpose.

10. No foreign currency sale transaction organized under this circular shall be executed outside the unified electronic platform.

Second: Regulations on Foreign Currency Purchase and Sale Prices:

1. Offices and companies are obligated to sell according to the daily price announced by the Central Bank of Libya, and to announce the applied prices to their customers clearly on dedicated display screens.

2. The maximum profit margin from the sale of foreign currency is (4%) added to the purchase price from the Central Bank of Libya, with the selling price to customers for cash payments being (4%), and (2.5%) for payments by checks, bank transfers, and electronic payment methods.

3. Exchange offices and companies are obligated to fully disclose sales transactions on an official receipt that specifies the official price, the profit margin, and the final selling price to the customer, and to stamp it before handing it to the customer.

Third: Regulations on the Operation of Offices and Companies:

Exchange offices and companies are obligated, when conducting their business, to adhere to the following:

1. Designate a single bank account with one of the banks operating in Libya for transactions, and notify the Banking and Currency Supervision Department of it. They are not allowed to transfer their transactions to a new account without the approval of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department.

2. Exchange companies must conclude legal contracts and agreements through banks with rapid transfer companies, regulating the relationship between them and clarifying the rights and obligations of each party.

3. Adherence to the application of Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and due diligence procedures issued by the Central Bank of Libya specifically for this purpose.

4. Maintain an electronic register recording the numbers of purchase and sale receipts and all exchange transactions, including the serial numbers of purchase and sale receipts.

5. Provide the necessary devices and systems for connection to the Central Bank of Libya's systems.

6. Notify the Banking and Currency Supervision Department of any sudden stoppage of the electronic system, as well as its causes and the procedures followed as a result of that stoppage.

7. Secure all systems and devices used by the office or company and follow necessary controls to ensure data confidentiality and information security, and prevent unauthorized access to the company's systems and databases and systems connected to the Central Bank of Libya.

8. Ensure that devices are equipped with necessary protection programs against viruses, spyware, and malicious software, with updates to these programs performed periodically.

9. It is essential for the office or company to notify the Banking and Currency Supervision Department immediately of any data breaches or any incidents concerning information and data security.

Fourth: Prohibited Activities:

Exchange offices and companies are prohibited from carrying out the following activities:

1. Engaging in any activities not stipulated in the rules governing the work of exchange offices and companies, including brokerage, forward sale of currency, or holding physical and moral trusts, or holding commercial papers.

2. Conducting any cash transactions outside the office or company premises. Except for transferring amounts in foreign currency or Libyan Dinar from the company to one of its branches and vice versa, or from an exchange office or company to banks operating in Libya, provided that transactions are conducted based on receipts issued by the office or company and all transactions are recorded in registers or electronic systems prepared for this purpose.

3. Direct or indirect dealing in all types of digital or encrypted currencies / virtual assets in any form or facilitating dealing in them, including participation and providing financial services related to issuers or users of these currencies and virtual assets, and sending or receiving financial remittances and buying and selling foreign currency against them.

4. Dealing or contracting with entities not legally licensed to do so.

5. Illegal speculation in foreign currency by any method or means that could negatively affect the economic situation.

6. Opening accounts for customers or conducting financing operations for them or obtaining financing in the name of the office or company.

Furthermore, exchange offices and companies are obligated to comply with all laws and instructions governing the combating of money laundering and financing of terrorism, and to report any suspicious transactions according to the procedures followed and stipulated in the instructions issued by the Central Bank of Libya specifically for this purpose. Penalties stipulated in case of violation by any office or company of these instructions will be applied, including written warning, imposition of a financial fine, temporary suspension, or cancellation of the license to operate, or referral to judicial authorities.

Therefore, you are requested to take the necessary measures to implement the aforementioned instructions. All companies and offices will be subject to periodic inspections by the Banking and Currency Supervision Department, and all legal measures will be taken against companies and offices violating the regulations and instructions issued by the Central Bank of Libya specifically for this purpose.

Peace be upon you.

Abdulmajid Muhammad Al-Maqouri
Director of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department

Copy to //
Mr. / The Governor
Mr. / The Deputy Governor
Mr. / Director of the Information Technology Department - Central Bank of Libya Mr. / Director of the Research and Statistics Department - Central Bank of Libya Mr. / Director of the Accounts Department - Central Bank of Libya Mr. / Director of the Legal Department - Central Bank of Libya Mr. / Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit - Central Bank of Libya Mr. / General Managers of Banks Mr. / Deputy Director of Banking and Currency Supervision Mr. / Deputy Director of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department for Office Supervision and Compliance Follow-up Mr. / Deputy Director of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department for Inspection Mr. / Deputy Director of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department for Islamic Banking Mr. / Deputy Director of the Banking and Currency Supervision Department for Office Supervision - Benghazi Non-Banking Financial Institutions Department Circulars 2026

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