Living in Trinidad & Tobago
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Trinidad and Tobago, including guidance on residency, healthcare, benefits, and more.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Trinidad and Tobago. Read about how our High Commission in Port of Spain can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Trinidad and Tobago 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 get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission Port of Spain on Facebook and Twitter.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Trinidad and Tobago for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Trinidad and Tobago in our travel advice.
See how to apply for a work permit or residency for Trinidad and Tobago:
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Trinidad and Tobago.
Check the Trinidad and Tobago travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare
There are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and Trinidad and Tobago. If you are a resident of Trinidad & Tobago, you can register for state healthcare.
To register for state health care you need proof of your residency status and a form of identification, on your first visit to the health centre in your district. If you enter the state health care system via accident and emergency, you are automatically registered and can become an outpatient at the state medical clinics provided at the state hospitals.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Trinidad and Tobago. See list of medical practitioners and facilities in Trinidad and Tobago.
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 Trinidad and Tobago. Certain medicines may not be available in Trinidad and Tobago (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 Trinidad and Tobago to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Trinidad and Tobago
If you are planning to move to Trinidad and Tobago and work, you may need a visa. Read the Trinidad and Tobago government’s guidance on working in Trinidad and Tobago as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
For list of items you need to provide, see https://nationalsecurity.gov.tt/services/work-permit/.
A person entering Trinidad and Tobago to work for not more than 30 days in 12 months, need not apply for a work permit.
Individual work permits / extensions of work permits can only be processed online.
Studying in Trinidad and Tobago
If you plan to study in Trinidad and Tobago, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. To request further information on a student visa, send an email to immigration.studentpermits@gov.tt.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Trinidad and Tobago to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Trinidad and Tobago in place so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. You can ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Trinidad and Tobago. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Trinidad and Tobago.
Here is more 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.
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 Trinidad and Tobago, 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
Trinidad and Tobago has many banks for expatriates to choose from and several of these are international banks. Opening an account with an international bank has many benefits, as you will be able to use the debit cards in ATMs in many locations and will not be limited to local transactions.
A current account in Trinidad and Tobago is also known as a Transactional Account. This is a day to day bank account and there are a certain number of requirements which need to be met before you can open an account.
For information, useful links, guidance on account opening and investing your money, visit the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago website.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Trinidad and Tobago
Read guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in Trinidad and Tobago. The minimum age to drive a rental vehicle in Trinidad and Tobago is 25 years. You can drive for up to 90 days on a UK driver’s permit in Trinidad and Tobago after which you must obtain an international driving permit.
Driving in Trinidad and Tobago is on the left hand side of the road. The speed limits are 43mph in towns and up to 50mph on the highways.
The roads in Trinidad and Tobago are generally good, but traffic in the larger towns can be very heavy at times.
Information on importing your UK-registered vehicle from the UK to Trinidad and Tobago is available from the Trinidad &Tobago customs website.
See 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).
For guidance on travelling by road in Trinidad and Tobago, see safety and security in our travel advice.
Take your vehicle out of the UK.
For general regulations and further information on driving in Trinidad and Tobago, visit the Ministry of Transport website.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Trinidad and Tobago, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
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 Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- bereavement guidance for Trinidad and Tobago
- English-speaking funeral directors in Trinidad and Tobago
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
Dogs and cats may only enter Trinidad and Tobago from any country if they are fully compliant with Trinidad and Tobago’s import requirements. The entry/import requirements differ depending on which country your pets are coming from.
Import your pet to Trinidad and Tobago.
Emergencies
You can contact the emergency services by calling 999 (police), 811 (ambulance) or 990 (fire).
Dial 999 to report a missing child.
If you have been a victim of rape or sexual assault in Trinidad and Tobago, read our guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault.
See also: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission, Port of Spain.
Read 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.
Disclaimer
his information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British High Commission will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.
Last updated 31 March 2023 + show all updates
-
Reviewed and updated guide in full.
-
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
-
Amended January 2018
-
First published.