Living in Bahrain
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Bahrain – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Bahrain
Help from the Bahraini government
For any questions about moving to or living in Bahrain, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Manama cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Bahrain.
Professional help in Bahrain
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Bahrain, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Bahrain to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Bahrain. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Laws and cultural differences
Read about laws and cultural differences in safety and security in the travel advice for Bahrain. This includes:
- alcohol and drugs laws
- dress code
- religious practices
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Bahrain before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Bahrain.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- retire
- live with family in Bahrain
- invest or do business in Bahrain
If you want to extend your visa or residency permit, visit the Bahraini government’s:
You can also contact the Bahrain Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs Department.
Registering as a resident
Once you arrive, you need to apply for a Bahrain ID card. You’ll need this to, among other things:
- prove your identity in Bahrain
- access healthcare
- open a bank account
- work in Bahrain
You must keep the details on your card up to date. For example, you must apply for a new ID card if you move to a new address in Bahrain.
If you have any problems or questions about getting or updating your Bahrain ID card, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for Golden Residency in Bahrain if you meet specific income, residence and investment criteria. This grants permanent residency in Bahrain, among other benefits.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read the Bahrain government’s guidance on the Golden Residency programme.
Citizenship
Bahrain does not recognise dual citizenship in most cases. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Bahraini citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Bahraini citizenship:
- read guidance on applying for Bahraini nationality
- contact the Bahraini Department of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs
- contact the Bahraini Embassy in London
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Manama cannot help with Bahraini visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Bahraini Department of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs
- the Bahraini Embassy in London
- an English-speaking lawyer in Bahrain
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Travel bans
The Bahrain government can impose travel bans to prevent people leaving the country during any civil or criminal dispute or for any immigration violation. For more information read the entry requirements for Bahrain.
Healthcare in Bahrain
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Bahrain does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Bahraini or international providers, or through your employer.
Read the Bahraini government’s guidance on health services for more information.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Bahrain
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Bahrain
Working in Bahrain
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Bahrain, you must have a work permit. Your employer must apply for this on your behalf and give you your residence permit and Bahraini ID Card (‘CPR’) when you arrive in Bahrain.
Read the Bahraini government’s guidance for migrant workers and expatriates.
To apply for a job when you are already living in Bahrain, you may need to provide a Good Conduct Certificate from the Bahraini police.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Bahrain, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Bahrain
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in Bahrain, in safety and security in the travel advice for Bahrain. This includes information on driving in Bahrain, including driving licence rules.
The Bahraini government provides information on how to get a Bahrain driving licence. For more information, including vehicle registration and driving licence renewal, visit the General Directorate of Traffic online services portal.
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a Bahraini disabled parking permit.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Bahrain, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Bahrain so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Bahraini National Bureau for Revenue (in Arabic) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Bahrain. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Bahrain.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Bahraini pension
Only Bahraini citizens can claim a Bahraini pension. If you work in Bahrain, you may be entitled to an end-of-service gratuity for non-Bahrainis.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Bahraini benefits
In general, only Bahraini citizens are eligible for social benefits in Bahrain.
Buying and renting property in Bahrain
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
The Bahraini government also provides information on real estate in Bahrain.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Bahrain if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Bahrain
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Bahraini elections
You cannot vote in Bahraini elections unless you hold Bahraini citizenship.
Studying in Bahrain
If you plan to study in Bahrain, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Read the Bahraini government’s guidance on universities and higher education in Bahrain.
For more information:
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Bahrain
- contact the Bahraini Higher Education Council
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Bahraini Ministry of Education provides information about the school system in Bahrain.
All children aged 6 to 15 must attend school or home school in Bahrain. You can use the Bahraini government’s educational institutions finder to find public and private schools in Bahrain.
For more information, read the Bahraini Ministry of Education’s:
- guidance on education and training in Bahrain
- frequently asked questions about education and schools
Childcare
The Bahraini Ministry of Education is responsible for early childhood education in Bahrain.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Bahrain, register the birth with the Bahraini authorities. Read the Bahraini government’s guidance on birth and death services in Bahrain.
If you’re not married, the British Embassy in Manama strongly advises that you do not give birth in Bahrain. There are legal consequences when registering the birth, and the Bahraini authorities are not likely to issue a birth certificate. This will cause problems when applying for citizenship or a passport for your child.
The Bahraini authorities may also refuse to issue a birth certificate if you’re married but your child is born less than 9 months after the wedding date on your marriage certificate.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Bahrain, read guidance on:
- what to when someone dies in Bahrain
- English-speaking funeral directors in Bahrain
- birth and death services in Bahrain
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
Same-sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Bahrain. For information about LGBT+ rights in Bahrain, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Bahrain.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Bahrain. For more information, read guidance on family law in Bahrain.
Documents for British people in Bahrain
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This 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 in Bahrain, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Bahrain, read guidance on:
You will need to apply for a live animal import permit.
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. 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 Bahraini authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Added updated 'checking out of Bahrain' attachment under 'Returning to the UK'.
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Added additional information related to domestic violence support in Bahrain.
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Updated 'checking in to Bahrain' guidance under 'Before you go' and 'checking out of Bahrain' guidance under 'Returning to the UK'.
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Updated attachment: checking in campaign 2023.
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Updated information on tips for checking out of Bahrain.
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Updated information under 'Birth'.
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Updated - new living in Bahrain guidance.
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Updated - Checking in to the country guidance.
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Updated - Checking Out Campaign.
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Updated the attachment for Checking IN Campaign - September 2021.
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Updated file - Checking out campaign May 2021.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Added guidance on steps for British naitonals to make arrival in Bahrain easier (see attachment: Checking in to the country).
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Updated - guidance living in bahrain.
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Added 'Employment' section with information for British nationals coming to Bahrain for a work opportunity on visit visa.
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Updated new version of Checking Out Campaign.
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Updated Checking Out Campaign - June 2020.
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Added tips for checking out of Bahrain this summer
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First published.