Living in Peru
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Peru – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Peru
Help from the Peruvian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Peru, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Lima cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Peru.
Professional help in Peru
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Peru, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Peru to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Peru. 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.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Peru before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
If you want to stay in Peru for more than 183 days as a tourist, or visit for any length of time for any reason other than tourism, you must apply for the appropriate visa or permit.
You can get a visa or permit to:
- work
- work as a journalist
- study
- do business
- engage in religious activities
- retire
If you want to extend a non-tourist visa, read the guidance on ‘permisos’ (in Spanish) from the Peruvian immigration office or contact the office.
For more information, read more guidance from the Peruvian immigration office, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (in Spanish).
Registering as a resident
You can apply for residency before you arrive in Peru through the immigration office’s Agencia Digital (in Spanish).
To register as resident after you arrive, you need to change your status, known as cambiar calidad migratoria (in Spanish).
If you have any problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
- the Peruvian immigration office, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (in Spanish)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Peru
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency in Peru if you have lived there for 3 years or more.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance from the immigration office on changing to permanent residence status (in Spanish).
Citizenship
Peru recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Peruvian citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Peruvian citizenship, read the naturalisation guidance from the Peruvian immigration office (in Spanish).
Help with visa and residency applications
The British Embassy in Lima cannot help with Peruvian visa and residency applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Peruvian immigration office, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (in Spanish)
- Peruvian Consulate General in London (in Spanish)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Peru
Passports
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.
Healthcare in Peru
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Peru does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
There are often shortages of basic medicines, medical facilities and equipment in Peru, especially outside of Lima.
Medical care in public hospitals is free but you are expected to pay for your medicine and sometimes toiletries and food.
Private hospitals can be expensive and you may have to pay upfront, before receiving treatment. Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get public health insurance from the Peruvian State (in Spanish) or private health insurance from Peruvian and international providers.
The British Embassy in Lima does not fund medical care or treatment for British nationals in Peru.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on the Peruvian healthcare system from the Peruvian Ministry of Health (in Spanish)
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Peru
Working in Peru
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 Peru, you need a work visa.
The Peruvian immigration office explains the different work permits and visas (in Spanish) available to you. You can apply for a work visa through the Peruvian Consulate in London.
To apply for a job, you will need to provide your work visa but you may also need to provide:
- your passport
- proof of residency
- a UK police certificate – this includes the police, judicial and criminal checks a Peruvian employer may ask you for
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Peru, you may need to apply to the National Institute of Higher Education (SUNEDU) (in Spanish) to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Read more about contacting SUNEDU and getting foreign qualifications recognised (in Spanish).
Driving in Peru
Read our guidance on moving, living and retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
You can drive in Peru for up to 6 months using your UK driving licence and up to one year using an international driving permit. Carry your passport with you at all times when driving.
You must, by law, get accident insurance known as SOAT (in Spanish) in addition to your vehicle insurance.
The Peruvian Ministry of Transport (in Spanish) provides information on driving in Peru, including how to:
- get a provisional driving licence (in Spanish)
- get a Peruvian driving licence (in Spanish) (known as a ‘brevete’ in Peru)
- renew a Peruvian driving licence (in Spanish)
Read about road travel in Peru, in safety and security in the travel advice for Peru.
Disabled drivers
The National Council for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (CONADIS) issues registration cards recognising different degrees of disability. You may be able to register for a card (in Spanish) which you can use as a disabled parking permit.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Peru, 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 signed a double taxation agreement with Peru but it is not yet in force. When it comes into force it will ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Ministry of Economy and Finance (in Spanish) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax from an English-speaking lawyer in Peru.
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 Peruvian pension
To claim a pension in Peru, you need to have enrolled either with the the National Pension Scheme (SNP) or the Private Pension Scheme (SPP).
Read guidance from the Department of Banking, Insurance and Private Pension Fund Administrators (SBS) (in Spanish) to find out whether you can claim a SNP or SPP pension. You can find out more from the administrators of the 2 schemes:
- the Oficina de Normalización Previsional (in Spanish) for SNP
- the Asociacion de AFPs (in Spanish) for SPP
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 Peruvian benefits
Contact the Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion (MTPE) to find out whether you can claim benefits in Peru.
You can claim Peruvian benefits if you:
- are a Peruvian national
- have paid into the Peruvian social security system (ONP) or the private pension fund system (AFP) as a legal working resident
To find out more read guidance on:
- what the ONP provides and how it works (in Spanish)
- the difference between ONP and AFP and what the AFP provides (in Spanish)
Buying and renting property in Peru
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Foreign nationals can purchase and own land and property in Peru. Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Peru if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Peru
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
Peruvian elections
You cannot vote in Peruvian elections unless you hold Peruvian citizenship.
Read guidance from or contact the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) (in Spanish) for information on the Peruvian electoral system.
Studying in Peru
If you plan to study in Peru, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
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 Peru
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 Ministry of Education (MINEDU) (in Spanish) provides information about the schooling system in Peru.
All children aged 6 to 16 must attend school in Peru.
Read MINEDU’s guidance on how to find a school and enrol your child (in Spanish) in Peru.
Childcare
Most people who need it arrange private childcare for their children in Peru.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Peru, you should register the birth with the Peruvian authorities (in Spanish).
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 Peru, read guidance on:
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.
You can also read the Peruvian government’s guidance on getting married (in Spanish).
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Poder Judicial, the Peruvian Judiciary, offers guidance on how to get a divorce in Peru (in Spanish).
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Peru.
Documents for British people in Peru
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
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Peru, read guidance on:
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Peru, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
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 Peruvian authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Added new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports' section).
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
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Information has been updated.
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We have removed the Coronavirus section.
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Living in Peru guide reviewed and updated - August 2021
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Added new information about COVID-19 vaccines for UK nationals
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Updated guidance - December 2020
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First published.