Living in Barbados
Advice for British people living in Barbados, including information on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Barbados, including guidance on health, education and residency.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Barbados. Read about how our High Commission in Bridgetown Barbados can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Barbadian 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: follow the British High Commission Barbados on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Barbados for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies. See also the Overseas Business Risk Country Guide for Barbados.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Barbados in our travel advice.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Barbados.
Check the Barbados travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Barbados
There is no reciprocal health care in Barbados.
You must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Barbados. Check the Barbados list of medical practitioners.
UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Barbados. Certain medicines may not be available in Barbados (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Barbados to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Barbados
If you are planning to move to Barbados and work, you may need a visa. See the Barbados government’s guidance on working in Barbados as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
To apply for a job you may need to provide:
- a detailed cover letter from the potential employer
- C-3 Application form (in duplicate)
- 4 passport-sized photos
- a Certificate of Character from the Police of each country which you have lived for at least 6 months in the past 3 years
- a copy of the bio-data page of your valid passport
You may be able to apply for a short term or a long term work permit. You will have to pay a fee for your work permit.
Studying in Barbados
If you plan to study in Barbados, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Read these at Barbados Immigration.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Barbados to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Barbados to ensure that people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Barbados.
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.
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’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
British nationals may be entitled to UK benefits while living in Barbados.
The UK basic state pension is payable in Barbados. Contact the International Pension Centre for more information on getting your pension in Barbados.
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 Barbados, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
There are a number of banks in Barbados and advice should be sort sought directly from them on how to open an account. You are likely to be asked to produce a reference from your UK bank.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Barbados
Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Barbados. You should buy a licence online. You can also read general guidance about driving abroad.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
Read guidance for travelling by road in Barbados.
You can also read guidance if you wish to take your vehicle with you.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Barbados, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
You can find more information about applying for a disabled ‘parking ID’ in Barbados through the local council website.
Voting
Some non-nationals may have the right to vote in Barbados elections. Check if you can vote in Barbados.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Barbados you should register the birth with the local authorities. 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 someone dies in Barbados read our guidance:
- What to do if someone dies abroad
- Barbados: Bereavement guidance
- English-speaking funeral directors in Barbados
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
To find full details about getting married in Barbados, go to the Barbados government website.
Pets
If you wish to bring a pet to Barbados, see these general guidelines.
Emergencies
Call 211 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade
Call 1 (246) 430-7100 for the police
Call 211 to report a missing child
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Barbados, read the guidance on what to do and where to get support in cases of rape and sexual assault. See further guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.
Find a list of Barbados lawyers.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Bridgetown on +1 246 430 7800
Read the guidance on 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 which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 4 January 2023 + show all updates
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Guidance fully reviewed and updated
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Pleaase see our updated 'Living In' Guides for Barbados - February 2021
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First published.