Living in Zimbabwe
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Zimbabwe, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Zimbabwe. Read about how the British Embassy Harare can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Zimbabwean 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 Embassy Harare Facebook and Instagram
Before you go
See Zimbabwe Travel Advice for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Zimbabwe in our Travel Advice
You will need a visa to visit Zimbabwe. It is no longer possible to get a visa from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London. Most visitors use the visa on arrival service. The current cost is $55 US Dollars for a Single Entry Visa (this includes a service charge) and $70 US Dollars for a Double Entry Visa (this includes a service charge). Take enough cash with you in small notes to pay for your visa at the airport. For more information, visit eVisa Zimbabwe
Visitors are typically given entry permission for 30 days but you should check that the number of days given at the port of entry covers your intended period of stay. You can apply to have this period renewed and extended if required. If you wish to extend or renew visas or permits, you must do so via the relevant Government of Zimbabwe department.
It is illegal to give a false statement in support of a visa. Do not violate your Zimbabwe visa conditions by overstaying. You will be arrested and deported.
You are not allowed to conduct any business or seek employment if you have a tourist visa. Volunteering and missionary work over a period of 30 days is considered work and a temporary employment permit is required to engage in these activities while in Zimbabwe. You must have the correct visa or work permit in order to work.
For Information on how to apply for a work permit, apply for a residence permit or renew a residence permit you will need to contact:
Department Immigration Headquarters
Corner Herbet Chitepo / Leopold Takawira
Harare
Zimbabwe
Email: admin@evisa.gov.zw
Telephone: + 263 (242) 971911
Offices are open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm Zimbabwean time, except on Public Holidays.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Zimbabwe or apply for an Emergency Travel Document.
Check the Zimbabwe Travel Advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance before you enter the country.
You should also make sure you’re covered by health insurance for UK treatment or you’ll be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK.
The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Zimbabwe. Most employers offer medical insurance or medical aid packages as part of the salary package but individuals should check that this meets theirs/their family’s needs. You are encouraged to get medical cover which includes provision for treatment in South Africa in the case of serious illness or injury. Some of the major healthcare providers in Zimbabwe are:
The provision and quality of health care is variable and can be especially poor outside of the major cities. There is often a shortage of drugs and trained medical staff in hospitals, making it difficult for hospitals to treat certain illnesses including accidents and trauma cases. Private clinics will not treat patients until they pay and often require large amounts of cash before they will admit even emergency cases. An increasing number of businesses in Zimbabwe will only accept US dollars in cash, rather than credit or debit cards. This includes some medical providers. Even if payment is available some of the best hospitals are often too full to admit patients. Medical costs, particularly for evacuation, can be high.
Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. You can find English speaking Medical Facilities in Zimbabwe
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 Zimbabwe. Certain medicines may not be available in Zimbabwe (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 Zimbabwe to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Studying in Zimbabwe
If you plan to study in Zimbabwe, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Visit eVisa Zimbabwe to find out more.
Contact the relevant school, college or university in Zimbabwe to check what fees you have to pay.
Zimbabwe has a number of good Private and Government Schools, majority of which follow the ZIMSEC / Cambridge curriculum. Please see:
Other schools to consider are
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Harare International School this is an International Baccalaureate school which follows the Northern Hemisphere school calendar – school year runs from approximately mid-August until mid-June.
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French School (Ecole française de Harare) this is a French School accredited by the French Ministry of Education.
Should you choose to enrol your child / children into boarding school in Zimbabwe we would strongly encourage you to visit the school, ensure you have researched the school and are happy with the way the school is operated. It is very important that your child has a way of contacting a responsible parent or family member in Zimbabwe should they encounter any difficulties whilst at school.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Zimbabwe Tax Treaties so that you 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 Zimbabwe
Find an English-speaking lawyer in Zimbabwe
Read guidance on:
tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
tax on your UK income if you live abroad
pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
tax if you get a pension and live abroad)
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 Zimbabwe, 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
Consular Section at the Embassy do not certify Proof of Life Certificates but one of the recognised professions on this list may be accepted. If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
Money and banking
The primary legal tender in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL). Prices and transactions will mainly be in Zimbabwean dollars but US dollars are accepted. You should check before making a transaction whether the price quoted is in Zimbabwean or US dollars as the symbol for both is $. It is recommended to check exchange rates prior to any transaction. You should check in advance what payment methods a restaurant, hotel or tour operator will accept. Some businesses, including some medical providers, may not accept payment by credit or debit card.
It’s illegal to exchange foreign currency anywhere other than at officially licensed dealers (e.g. banks or bureau de change). Carry small denomination notes as change is rarely available.
Documents needed to set up a bank account depend on which bank you choose to open an account with. See Operational Banking Institutions
There are many money transfer agencies in Zimbabwe which allow you to send and receive money. Most widely used are:
Accommodation and buying property
Currently, there are no restrictions on foreign ownership or occupation in Zimbabwe. Section 71 (2) of the Constitution provides that every person shall have the right to own all forms of property.
There are a number of local registered estate agents that will be able to help you find a house to buy or rent and guide you through the process.
Zimbabwe embarked on its land redistribution scheme in 2000 which is still continuing to this day. You are advised to seek legal advice when purchasing land in Zimbabwe.
Driving in Zimbabwe
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) DVLA
Guidance for travelling in Zimbabwe see Zimbabwe Travel Advice
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see Taking vehicles out of the UK
Non-Zimbabweans and diplomats are allowed to drive in Zimbabwe using their foreign licences, or an International Driving Licence, for up to 12 months and then you will need to apply for a Zimbabwean Driver’s Licence from CVR
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Zimbabwe, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
British citizens living abroad can vote in some UK elections – you’ll need to register as an Overseas Voter.
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 Zimbabwe you should register the birth with the local authorities. To obtain a list of documents you will need to produce to register a birth, contact:
Registrar General’s Department Central Registry Office Makombe Building Harare Zimbabwe
Email: helpdesk@rg.gov.zw
Telephone: + 263 (242) 702295/9 or 708383/4
You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate. Register a Birth
If your child has British Nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport. Application for Child Passport
Deaths
If someone dies in Zimbabwe read our guidance on:
What to do if someone dies abroad
Bereavement guidance for Zimbabwe
See the list of English-speaking funeral directors in Zimbabwe
To obtain a list of documents you will need to produce to register a death, contact:
Registrar General’s Department Central Registry Office Makombe Building Harare Zimbabwe
Email: helpdesk@rg.gov.zw
Telephone: + 263 (242) 702295/9 or 708383/4
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out Married or Civil Partnership Abroad
Consular Section does not issue Certificates of No Impediment (CNI). You need to obtain a ‘‘No Trace Marriage Letter’’ from the UK GRO as well as UK Police Clearance to get married locally, details below:
The General Registrar Office in the United Kingdom holds all records of births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, stillbirths and adoptions. They issue a ‘no trace marriage letter’ which will enable you to get married in Zimbabwe.
Pets
If you would like to bring a pet to Zimbabwe you will need to organise an import permit through the Veterinary Department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Land in Zimbabwe in advance of the pet travelling. Contact details are:
Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services
P. Bag CY 66 Causeway Harare Zimbabwe
Email: newazvo@dlvs.gov.zw
Telephone: + 263 (242) 791516 / (242) 796670
Website: Veterinary Department
Emergencies
View the full list of emergency numbers in Zimbabwe
Dial any number below for the police, ambulance, fire brigade, or to report a missing child.
- Emergency, +263 4 705905 / 771221 / 706034 / 0772 235461 / 0772 792800
- Emergency, 112, Econet subscribers Toll free number
- Emergency, 114, NetOne subscribers Toll free number
- Emergency, 0800 3222 911, Toll free landline
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Zimbabwe read the Zimbabwe Rape and Sexual Assault Guide
Also see Guidance for a 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 Embassy Harare
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 24 February 2023 + show all updates
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We have revisited all information and have applied a new template.
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First published.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines