Living in Democratic Republic of Congo
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-16)

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Democratic Republic of Congo. Includes advice on health, education, benefits and residence requirements.

Overview

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). See also how our Embassy in Kinshasa (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kinshasa) can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Congolese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

See other guides with support for British nationals abroad (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide) for advice on how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you get into difficulty.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad).

To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy in Kinshasa (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kinshasa?) on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ukindrc) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/UKinDRC).

Before you go

See our travel advice for Democratic Republic of Congo (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo) for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Democratic Republic of Congo (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/entry-requirements). All British passport holders need to get a visa before travelling to DRC. See our travel advice about visas (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/entry-requirements#visas) for more information.

Consular certificate

If you need a consular certificate to renew your residency permit in Democratic Republic of Congo, you can apply and pay for this online and collect your document from the British Embassy Kinshasa.

Apply for a consular certificate online (https://www.prove-eligibility-foreign-government.service.gov.uk/request-a-document/get-a-document-from-the-british-embassy?beforeYouStart.serviceType=Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo%20-%20consular%20certificate)

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Democratic Republic of Congo (https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports).

Check our travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/entry-requirements) for passport validity requirements.

Healthcare

There’s no reciprocal formal healthcare agreements between the UK and Democratic Republic of Congo.

There’s no legal requirement for you to register for healthcare as a resident in DRC. If you cannot register for healthcare, you must have private healthcare cover. See the list of medical facilities in DRC (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medical-practitioners).

The fee for services starts from $50 for an initial consultation. They can also arrange medical evacuation. For any major medical problems, we’d advise you to get medical treatment in South Africa where more advanced medical care is available.

Travellers to DRC are recommended to take out comprehensive medical insurance. See our travel advice about health (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/health).

UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Medicine

If you have a prescription for medication, make sure you have enough of it or can get it when you’re in Democratic Republic of Congo. Some medicines may not be available in DRC (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may not be able to take them into the country.

Ask your GP before travelling to DRC to find out about any alternative medication.

Read our guidance if you need to travel with medicines (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/)

Working

If you’re planning to move to Democratic Republic of Congo and work, you may need a work permit. Read the DRC government’s guidance on working in DRC as a foreign national and how to get a visa (https://evisa.gouv.cd/)

For information related to types of visa, contact the Congolese Embassy in the UK on xx-xxxx-xxxx or the immigration office in Kinshasa on + 243 81623327.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a proof of holding working permit. See the list of different visas in DRC (https://www.aeroport-kinshasa.com/fr/visa_congo.php)

Consular certificate

If you need a consular certificate to work in Democratic Republic of Congo, you can apply and pay for this online and collect your document from the British Embassy Kinshasa.

Apply for a consular certificate online (https://www.prove-eligibility-foreign-government.service.gov.uk/request-a-document/get-a-document-from-the-british-embassy?beforeYouStart.serviceType=Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo%20-%20consular%20certificate)

Studying

If you plan to study in Democratic Republic of Congo, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in DRC to check what fees you have to pay.

The number of schools in the DRC has increased in recent years. There are a number of international schools in Kinshasa:
- The American School – Tasok (https://tasok.net/)
- The French School – Lycée français René-Descartes (https://www.descartes-kinshasa.com)
- The Belgian School – Lycée Prince de Liege (https://www.lpl-rdc.com/)
Tax

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Democratic Republic of Congo. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Democratic Republic of Congo (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers&country=Congo,%20Democratic%20Republic).

Read guidance on:

tax if you leave the UK to live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk)

tax on your UK income if you live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/taxed-twice)

tax if you get a pension and live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-pension/tax-when-you-live-abroad)

paying National Insurance while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad) (to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances)

Benefits

Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/uk-benefits-abroad) and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

Read State Pension guidance if you’ve lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/state-pension-if-youve-lived-in-australia-canada-or-new-zealand) and you’re claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Democratic Republic of Congo, you can claim your UK State Pension (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad) or new UK State Pension (https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension).

Contact the International Pension Centre (https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre) for further information.

Social security pensions are available for locals only. British nationals living in DRC are not entitled to social security pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/report-a-change-in-your-circumstances), you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

Some credit cards are accepted in Kinshasa. The local currency is the Congolese Franc but US Dollars are widely used. US Dollars should be in good condition and issued after 2001 or they will not be accepted or changed at banks.

There are a number of ATMs that dispense US dollars in Kinshasa. Take normal security precautions when withdrawing money. Western Union and other money transfer agencies are in most main towns. Make sure you have arrangements in place before leaving the UK to have funds sent to you in case of emergency.

Accommodation and buying property

The new constitution of Democratic Republic of Congo guarantees the right of individuals to private ownership of property. It also encourages and watches over the security of foreign investment. No land is prohibited to foreign ownership. Foreigners can own land and property in DRC.

Find out more about buying a property abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-buying-property-abroad)

Driving

Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Democratic Republic of Congo. UK driving licences are not valid for visitors – you’re expected to get a DRC driving licence.

Contact CONADEP (https://www.mintvcdsgconadep.com/procedure-obtention/) (Commission National de Delivrance des Permits) headquarters on xx-xxxx-xxxx to get a DRC driving licence. The offices are located on RVA (Ndolo airport).

The British embassy cannot issue or renew a UK driving licence. Contact DVLA (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency) for information about UK driving licences.

If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, contact your UK-issuing office, for example, DVLA.

Driving in Kinshasa can be dangerous. Police can demand bribes for no reason. Car doors should be kept locked at all times, even when driving, in case of thieves.

Find out more about driving abroad (https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad)

Read DRC travel advice on road travel (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/safety-and-security).

If you want to take your vehicle with you, see taking vehicles out of the UK (https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk).

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) and live in Democratic Republic of Congo, you must return it to the UK authority that issued it.

Voting

Only DRC citizens have the right to vote – foreigners do not have this right. Voting generally takes place every 4 years.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections.

Check if you’re able to vote (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/overseas-voters)

Register as an overseas voter (https://www.gov.uk/voting-when-abroad)

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Democratic Republic of Congo you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate (https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth).

If your child has British nationality (https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-british-parent), you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport (https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport/first-child-passport).

Deaths

If someone dies in Democratic Republic of Congo read our guidance on:

What to do if someone dies abroad (https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad)

Bereavement guidance for DRC (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-information-pack-democratic-republic-of-congo)

English-speaking funeral directors in DRC (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-funeral-directors-in-drc)

Marriage and civil partnership

Find out about getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad (https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad)

Pets

Foreigners can own and import pets as long as they follow Democratic Republic of Congo regulations on pets.

Social ethics and traditions

The most commonly spoken languages are French and 4 national languages:
- Kiswahili
- Tshiluba
- Kikongo
- Lingala
In major towns and tourist areas you should be able to get by speaking French only. English is not widely spoken.

Be sensitive to the different cultures and people around you and do not engage in behaviour that may cause offence. DRC people are very friendly and welcoming but can be reserved.

Emergencies

Dial 112 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade

Dial xx-xxxx-xxxx to report a missing child

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Democratic Republic of Congo, read:
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Information for victims of rape and sexual assault (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/democratic-republic-of-congo-information-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/democratic-republic-of-congo-information-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault)
- Guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad)
- English Speaking lawyers in Democratic Republic of Congo (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers&country=Congo,%20Democratic%20Republic)
Lawyers in DRC can be slow to reply to emails. It’s better to phone them directly.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Kinshasa (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/home).

Read the guidance on international parental child abduction (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-parental-child-abduction) if your child may be at risk of this.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk), which includes information on bringing family members, tax, and access to services.