Living in Barbados
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Barbados – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Barbados
Help from the Barbados government
For any questions about moving to or living in Barbados, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British High Commission in Bridgetown cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Barbados.
Professional help in Barbados
You can also get help from professionals in Barbados, including:
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lawyers
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notaries
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funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Barbados to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Barbados. This includes the latest information on:
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visas and entry requirements
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laws and cultural differences
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safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Barbados before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Barbados.
You must get a visa to study or work in Barbados. You may also be eligible for a Special Entry Permit or immigrant status.
If you want to extend or replace your visa, contact the Barbados Immigration Department.
For more information, contact:
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Barbados.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on requirements for permanent resident status.
Citizenship
Barbados recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a citizen of Barbados.
To find out if you’re eligible for citizenship of Barbados:
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read guidance on Barbadian citizenship
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contact the Barbados Immigration Department
Help with visa and residency applications
The British High Commission in Bridgetown cannot help with Barbados visa and residency applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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apply for a British passport from abroad
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travel urgently without your British passport
Healthcare in Barbados
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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plan your healthcare
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take medicine abroad
Barbados does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from private providers.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
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contact your insurance provider
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read guidance on health in Barbados
Working in Barbados
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 Barbados, you need a work permit.
The Barbados Immigration Department explains the different work permits available to you.
The Barbados welcome stamp programme allows you to work remotely in Barbados for up to 12 months.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Barbados, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Barbados
Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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drive abroad legally
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take your UK vehicle abroad
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get driving licence letters
To drive in Barbados, you must exchange your UK licence for a Barbadian licence. You can make the exchange at the Barbados Licensing Authority at the Pine. For any questions about exchanging your licence, contact the Barbados Licensing Authority.
For more information on driving and road travel, see safety and security in the travel advice for Barbados.
The Barbados Licencing Authority provides information on driving in Barbados, including how to:
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for a Barbadian disabled parking card.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Barbados, 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 Barbados so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Barbados Revenue Authority for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Barbados. To do this, find a lawyer in Barbados.
Pensions
Claiming your UK State Pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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how to claim your UK State Pension
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where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Barbadian pension
Contact the National Insurance and Social Security Service to find out whether you can claim Old Age Pension in Barbados.
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 Barbadian benefits
You may be entitled to some Barbadian benefits.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
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read guidance on benefits in Barbados
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contact the National Insurance and Social Security Service
Buying and renting property in Barbados
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Read the Barbados Revenue Service’s guidance on selling, buying or transferring a property.
Contact a lawyer in Barbados you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Barbados
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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vote in UK elections from abroad
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register as an overseas voter
Barbadian elections
You may be eligible to vote in Barbadian elections.
Read guidance on:
Studying in Barbados
If you plan to study in Barbados, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
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read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
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contact your higher education provider in the UK or Barbados
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contact the Barbados Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
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getting permission to take your child abroad
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claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
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child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Ministry of Educational Transformation provides information about the schooling system in Barbados.
All children aged 5 to 16 must attend school or home school in Barbados.
For more information, read the Ministry of Educational Transformation’s guidance on how to:
Childcare
The Barbados Child Care Board is responsible for childcare services in Barbados.
The Child Care Board will at times hold a list of public daycare centres in Barbados. Contact the Child Care Board for more information.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Barbados, register the birth with the Barbadian authorities.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
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register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
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apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
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what to do after someone dies abroad
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how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Barbados, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can also read the Barbadian government’s guidance on getting married in Barbados.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Barbados.
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 a lawyer in Barbados.
Documents for British people in Barbados
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
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legalising and certifying UK documents
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marriage and civil partnership documents
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affirmations and affidavits
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witnessing signatures
Lawyers and notaries
To find a lawyer or notary in Barbados, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Barbados, read guidance on:
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 Barbadian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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This Living in Guide has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
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Reviewed and updated
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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.