National Insurance if you work abroad

You might have to pay National Insurance in the UK while you’re working abroad. It depends on where you’re working and how long for.

If you work in a country that has a social security agreement with the UK

Some countries have a social security agreement with the UK. This means you will pay National Insurance in the UK while you work abroad.

You will need to get a certificate to prove that you do not need to pay social security in the country that you’re working in.

Check if a country has a social security agreement with the UK and how to apply for a certificate.

If you work in any other country

If the country you are working in does not have a social security agreement with the UK, you may need to pay social security contributions in the country you are working in.

You’ll still need to pay National Insurance in the UK for the first 52 weeks of working abroad if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • you’re working abroad temporarily
  • your employer has a place of business in the UK
  • you’re ordinarily resident in the UK
  • you were living in the UK immediately before starting work abroad

Your employer will deduct your National Insurance from your earnings.

Pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

You can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions in the UK while you’re working abroad.

Find out more about paying social security abroad and how to apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions (form CF83).

Your payments will protect:

  • your benefit entitlement
  • your State Pension whether you choose to return to the UK or stay living abroad

Voluntary National Insurance contributions do not cover your health insurance in the country where you live.

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