Living in Armenia
Information for British nationals residing in Armenia, including advice on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.
Overview
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Armenian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date:
Visas and residency
British nationals do not require an entry visa to Armenia. They must have a valid passport. British Citizens can stay in Armenia without a visa up to 180 days per year.
Temporary and permanent residency can be applied for in Armenia if staying longer than 180 days per year.
For more information visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
Passports and travel
Your British passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your intended stay in Armenia. You do not need an additional period of validity beyond this.
Read more information about visa requirements in Armenia visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
You can apply for or renew/replace your passport on GOV.UK.
Healthcare in Armenia
Healthcare
Medical care providers in Armenia are obliged to provide emergency first aid to any person (including a foreign national), regardless of their ability to pay.
Health facilities are available in Yerevan and other major cities, but may be below UK standards. Please note that medical staff may speak little or no English.
Most people choose to either register at a local polyclinic or with private clinics for primary health concerns.
To register:
- find your nearest polyclinic
- go to the clinic with your passport
- sign a contract with the polyclinic
Medicine
Always carry your prescription medication in the original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Armenia Ministry of Health if you need to follow up with your prescription or you need to find out if a certain medication is available in Armenia.
Working in Armenia
If you are planning to move to Armenia and work or study, you may need a visa. For obtaining temporary and permanent residency in Armenia, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
To obtain a work permit, your employer has to apply for a work permit on your behalf from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MLSA). Some jobs are exempt from work permit requirements, including:
- highly skilled foreign specialist
- business owner
- executives
- specialists in certain areas required for training or installation of machinery
- highly-qualified specialists in government-mandated sectors
- university lecturers
- accredited foreign media representatives
- refugees *students in exchange programmes
Once the work permit is issued (typically within 14 days), you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the Passport and Visa Department of the Yerevan Police (OVIR). The application must be accompanied by supporting documentation, including medical test results. The temporary residence card is issued within approximately 30 to 45 days of the application date.
Start searching for employment opportunities early. Make sure you have brought your diplomas and certificates with you, some employers may require translated copies. To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK police certificate.
Studying in Armenia
Kindergartens and general secondary education in state educational institutions are free of charge for citizens, dual citizens, residents, and foreign nationals living in Armenia. Teaching in state institutions is conducted in Armenian.
English and Russian are taught in all public schools, while some also offer German, French, and Chinese.
State colleges and universities offer discounted or free places for students who score high marks on entrance exams.
There are also many private kindergartens, schools, and universities. Tuition fees vary.
Tax
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
You should seek professional legal advice on payment of tax in Armenia.
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Armenia, you can claim your UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
In accordance with the law on state pensions of the Republic of Armenia, foreign citizens who make all the necessary social security payments related to pension provisions and who meet the necessary legal conditions have the right to a pension equal to that of citizens of Armenia.
Banking and finance
When opening up a bank account you will need:
- your passport
- registered address
You can read comprehensive information about banks and the country’s financial system and the Central Bank of Armenia.
Moving your financial assets
You can bring up to $10,000 in cash into Armenia. You must declare cash of $10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currency). Cash includes travellers’ cheques.
Accommodation and buying property
Armenian legislation allows foreign nationals to own real estate in Armenia.
Driving in Armenia and public transportation
Driving with an International Licence
If you are planning to drive, see information on driving abroad. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
You’ll need to have both a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence to drive in Armenia. IDPs are not issued outside the UK, so get one before you travel. You can buy an IDP in person from some UK post offices – find your nearest post office branch that offers this service.
The Armenian government has implemented a law about car window tinting which states that the front windscreen and front side windows must allow a minimum of 70 percent light transmission.
Public transport is relatively efficient and cheap, particularly in Yerevan. Yerevan has upgraded old buses to newer models at European standards; however, local buses in the regions might be old and poorly maintained. The metro in Yerevan is reasonably maintained and is convenient to travel around Yerevan, although with limited routes. A cross-border train service between Armenia and Georgia is operating. If you have to travel by train, secure your valuables, do not leave the compartment unattended, and lock the door from the inside.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, and marriage
Births
If your child is born in Armenia you should register the birth with the local authorities. If you wish to do so, you can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If a British citizen dies in Armenia, read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- bereavement guidance for Armenia
- find English-speaking funeral directors Armenia
Marriage
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
You may bring pets into Armenia as long as they have a CITES permit, issued in the country of origin. Your cat or dog must be vaccinated for rabies between 20 days and 6 months prior to entering Armenia.
Dogs should also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus infections and leptospirosis.
Cats should also be vaccinated against panleukemia, viral rhinothracheitis, calicivirus, and leukaemia.
A rabies test is not required.
Please also see information on taking pets overseas from the UK, or returning with pets to the UK from overseas.
Armenia does not require that your pet to be identified microchipped.
If your pet does not have a registered microchip, make sure it wears tags that identify them and has contact information for you.
Emergencies
The emergency number in Armenia is 911. Operators speak English.
There are also numbers to reach specific types of assistance directly, but the operators may not speak English. These are 101 for fire, 102 for the police, 103 for ambulance service, and 104 for gas leaks.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 22 April 2024 + show all updates
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This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary,
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Information about Coronavirus has been removed from the guidance.
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Guidance fully reviewed and updated
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Have changed minor details
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Inserted some new information.
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First published.