Moving, living or retiring abroad
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-18)

What to consider when moving, living, or retiring abroad – including visas, healthcare, tax and pensions.

Getting help with moving or living abroad

For most questions about moving or living abroad, you should:
- contact the government in your destination country
- get professional help – for example from a local lawyer
The UK government, including British embassies and consulates, cannot give personalised guidance on moving to, living or retiring in another country.

Help from your destination country

You can contact:
- your destination country’s embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk)
- the relevant government department in your destination country
- English-speaking professionals (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in your destination country – including lawyers, translators and notaries
Country-specific information from the UK government

We publish guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) for many countries. This covers topics like working, healthcare, pensions and driving.

Read the travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for your destination country to understand the risks you may face as a resident or visitor. This includes the latest information on:
- entry requirements, passports and visas
- local laws and customs
- safety and security
- vaccines and medical treatment
- getting help in an emergency
Read our guidance on UK help and services in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/world).

More help and information from the UK government

You can also read our guidance on:
- documents for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad)
- support for British nationals abroad (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad)
Telling the UK authorities

Tell HMRC, your local council and other authorities that you’re moving or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad).

Visas, residency and citizenship

Before you travel to your destination country, you should:
- check the country’s travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for entry, passport and visa requirements
- renew or replace your passport (https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport) if you need to
- arrange appropriate insurance – foreign travel insurance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance) is not intended to cover you if you live abroad permanently
- apply for the appropriate visa or residence permit
Make sure you meet all visa and entry requirements before you travel.

You may also need to register as a resident in your destination country.

For country-specific information:
- contact your destination country’s immigration authority
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Police records and certificates

You may need to get a copy of your police records (https://www.gov.uk/copy-of-police-records) if you’re applying for a visa or emigrating to some countries.

Permanent residency and citizenship

You may be able to apply for permanent residency or citizenship of your destination country.

You can normally only apply if:
- you have been living in the country permanently for several years
- you have close family who are citizens or nationals of the country – like a spouse, civil partner or parents
However, some countries may offer other routes. These could include investment programs or fast-tracked residency for highly- skilled professionals.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:
- contact the relevant authority in your destination country
- contact the country’s embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk)
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Dual citizenship

Some countries do not recognise dual citizenship (https://www.gov.uk/dual-citizenship). You may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship or nationality (https://www.gov.uk/renounce-british-nationality) to become a citizen of your destination country.

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The UK government, including British embassies and consulates, cannot give personalised guidance on foreign visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:
- the relevant authority in your destination country
- the country’s embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk)
- an English-speaking lawyer (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers)
Passports and travel

In most cases, you can apply for or renew your British passport from abroad (https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports). British embassies and consulates do not issue passports.

Read guidance on travelling urgently from abroad without your UK passport (https://www.gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport) if your passport is lost, expired, full or damaged.

For more information, including passport validity and entry requirements, read:
- the travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) for your destination country
- guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Healthcare abroad

You may not be entitled to free medical treatment in the UK if you move abroad permanently. For more information, read NHS guidance on planning your healthcare when living abroad (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/moving-abroad/planning-your-healthcare/).

Foreign travel insurance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance) is not intended to cover your healthcare costs if you live abroad permanently.

You should:
- check if your destination country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK – read guidance on Healthcare in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/healthcare-in-the-eu-norway-iceland-liechtenstein-and-switzerland) or UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-reciprocal-healthcare-agreements-with-non-eu-countries)
- make sure you have appropriate health insurance if needed
- apply for healthcare cover in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-health-care-cover-in-the-european-economic-area-ca8454), if this applies to you
To find out more about accessing healthcare abroad:
- read guidance on medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/in-hospital-abroad)
- find English-speaking doctors or medical facilities (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/doctors-and-medical-facilities-worldwide-list) in your destination country
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Medicine

Make sure you have a supply of your prescription medication or can get it in your destination country.

Some medicines may not be available, and you may not be able to take them into the country.

Speak to your GP before you leave to find out about any alternative medicines.

Read guidance on taking your medicine abroad (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/).

Mental health

Read guidance on:
- mental health abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-abroad)
- mental health support in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mental-health-support-abroad) (if available)
Working abroad

Check if you need a work permit or visa, and make sure that you meet all requirements before you travel.

You may also need to:
- apply for a UK police certificate (https://www.acro.police.uk/s/acro-services/police-certificates)
- get your UK qualifications legalised by the British Council (https://www.britishcouncil.org/education/accreditation/centres) or the Legalisation Office (https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised)
To find out more:
- visit your destination country’s government immigration website
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
- contact the country’s embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk)
Working in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

Find out more about:
- working in an EU country (https://www.gov.uk/working-abroad)
- getting your professional qualifications recognised in the EU (https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/professional-qualifications/index_en.htm)
- travelling to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for work (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/travelling-to-the-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-or-liechtenstein-for-work)
- providing services and travelling for business to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/providing-services-to-eea-and-efta-countries-after-eu-exit)
Driving abroad

Read guidance on:
- driving abroad (https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad)
- driving in the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu), if this applies to you
- taking vehicles out of the UK (https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk)
- driving licence letters (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-licence-letters) – you can use these to authenticate, certify or validate your UK driving licence if asked
For country-specific guidance:
- read the information on road travel in the safety and security section of the country’s travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice)
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
- contact your destination country’s licensing authority or embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk)
Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme), you must return it to the original UK issuing authority when you move abroad.

Tax and National Insurance

The UK has double taxation agreements (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-treaties) with many countries, so that you do not pay tax on the same income twice.

Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad (http://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk)
- 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
- tax credits if you leave the UK (https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk)
For information on paying tax in your destination country:
- contact the country’s tax authority
- find an English-speaking lawyer abroad (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers)
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

While abroad, you may be able to claim your UK State Pension.

Read guidance on:
- State Pension if you retire abroad (http://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad)
- countries where we pay an annual increase in the State Pension (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pensions-annual-increases-if-you-live-abroad/countries-where-we-pay-an-annual-increase-in-the-state-pension)
- moving, living and retiring abroad (https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/taking-your-pension/moving-living-and-retiring-abroad?source=mas), from the Money and Pensions Service
- benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/benefits-and-pensions-for-uk-nationals-in-the-eea-or-switzerland), if this applies to you
If you have served in the armed forces, you may be eligible for an armed forces pension. To check if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on support for veterans and their families (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-support-for-veterans-and-their-families).

Life certificates

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 pension payments may stop if you do not.

Transferring a workplace or personal pension abroad

Read guidance on transferring your UK pension savings to an overseas pension scheme (https://www.gov.uk/transferring-your-pension/transferring-to-an-overseas-pension-scheme).

Claiming a pension from your destination country

To find out if you can claim a pension from your destination country:
- contact the relevant local authority
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available).
Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

You cannot get many income-related benefits, like Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

You can check which benefits you can claim if you’re going or living abroad (https://www.gov.uk/uk-benefits-abroad).

Read guidance on:
- claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad (https://www.gov.uk/claim-benefits-abroad)
- Child Benefit if you leave the UK (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-abroad)
- benefits and pensions for UK nationals in the EU, EEA or Switzerland (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/benefits-and-pensions-for-uk-nationals-in-the-eea-or-switzerland), if this applies to you
Claiming destination country benefits

You may be able to claim some benefits in your destination country.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
- contact the relevant authority in your destination country
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Buying and renting property abroad

Read guidance on buying a property abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-buying-property-abroad). Consider getting independent legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in your destination country (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers).

Some countries may have local restrictions on foreign nationals buying or renting property. For country-specific information, read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available).

Voting abroad

UK elections

You may be able to vote in some UK elections while living abroad.

Read more about voting if you move or live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/voting-when-abroad).

Destination country elections

To find out if you can vote in your destination country’s elections:
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
- contact the country’s embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk)
Studying abroad

Check if you need a student visa or residence permit, and make sure that you meet all requirements before you travel.

For country-specific requirements:
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
- contact the country’s embassy in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides)
- contact your education provider in the UK or your destination country
You can also read guidance on:
- travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)
- studying in the EU (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/study-in-the-european-union), if this applies to you
Children

If you plan to take your children to live abroad, read guidance on how to:
- get permission to take a child abroad (https://www.gov.uk/permission-take-child-abroad)
- get a passport for your child (https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport)
Schools and education

To find out how to enrol your child in a local school, contact your destination country’s education authority.

There may also be more information in our guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available).

Child Benefit

You may be able to claim UK Child Benefit if you live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-abroad).

Child maintenance

Read guidance on child maintenance if a parent lives abroad (https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-if-one-parent-lives-abroad).

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Read guidance on documents for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad) for information on:
- where to get official UK documents, like marriage or birth certificates, when you’re abroad
- how to get UK documents legalised, certified and translated for use abroad
Births

Read guidance on registering a birth abroad (https://www.gov.uk/register-birth-abroad).

Deaths

Read guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-to-do-after-a-british-national-dies-abroad).

You can also register a death abroad with the UK authorities (https://www.gov.uk/register-a-death/y/overseas).

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read guidance on getting married or registering a civil partnership abroad (https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships-abroad).

Divorce and separation

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get a divorce or legal separation in the UK or your destination country.

If you plan to divorce or separate abroad, you can take legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in your destination country (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers). There may also be information on divorce in your destination country in our guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available).

If you plan to divorce or separate in the UK, read guidance on how to:
- get a divorce (https://www.gov.uk/divorce)
- end a civil partnership (https://www.gov.uk/end-civil-partnership)
- get a legal separation (https://www.gov.uk/legal-separation)
Documents for British people abroad

Our guidance on documents for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad) covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary abroad, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad).

Pets

Read guidance on taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad).

For more information:
- contact your vet
- read guidance on living in your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides) (if available)
Returning to the UK

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

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the relevant authority in your destination country.

Read our consular information disclaimer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).