Living in Peru
Information forabout British citizens moving toto, living or livingretiring in PERU,Peru – including guidancevisas, onworking, residency, healthcare and driving.
- From:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
andForeign&CommonwealthOffice- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Published
- 8 January 2014
- Last updated
-
2227OctoberNovember20242025 — See all updates
This
Getting guidehelp setswith outliving essentialin informationPeru
Help forfrom Britishthe citizensPeruvian government
For any questions about moving to or living in Peru.Peru, Readyou aboutmay howbe ourable Embassyto inget Limahelp canfrom help.the:
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The definitiveUK informationgovernment fromand the PeruvianBritish authorities.Embassy Thein Foreign,Lima Commonwealthcannot &give Developmentpersonalised Officeadvice (FCDO)on ismoving notto, liableliving foror anyretiring inaccuracies in this information.Peru.
Professional help in Peru
SupportYou forcan Britishalso Nationalsget Abroad:help Afrom GuideEnglish-speaking professionals setsin outPeru, howincluding:
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Help nationalsfrom canthe stayUK safegovernment
Read abroadthe andtravel howadvice for Peru to understand the FCDOrisks canyou helpmay face if you dolive getin intoor difficulty.visit Peru. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read generalour guidance on movingmoving, living or retiring abroad.
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Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Peru before you travel.
BeforeVisas youand go
residence permits
SeeIf ouryou travelwant adviceto forstay in Peru for up-to-datemore informationthan on183 entrydays requirements,as locala lawstourist, andor customs,visit safetyfor andany emergencies.
Visaslength andof residency
Checktime thefor entryany requirementsreason other than tourism, you must apply for Peruthe inappropriate ourvisa travelor advice.permit.
For You informationcan onget Peruviana immigrationvisa law,or pleasepermit contactto:
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Londonreligiousor,activities - retire
If if you arewant alreadyto inextend Peru,a pleasenon-tourist contactvisa, read the Peruvianguidance Immigrationon Office‘permisos’ (in Spanish).Spanish) Theyfrom willthe bePeruvian ableimmigration tooffice provideor youcontact withthe adviceoffice.
For onmore visasinformation, toread workmore andguidance residefrom inthe Peru.Peruvian immigration office, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (in Spanish).
PassportsRegistering andas travel
a resident
You can apply for orresidency renewbefore youryou Britisharrive passportin from Peru through the immigration office’s Agencia Digital (in Spanish).
CheckTo theregister Peruas travelresident adviceafter you arrive, you need to change your status, known as cambiar calidad migratoria (in Spanish).
If foryou passporthave validityany requirements.problems or questions about registering your residency, contact:
Healthcare
- the Peruvian immigration office, the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (in Spanish)
- an English-speaking lawyer in Peru
Permanent residency
HealthcareYou ismay availablebe able to apply for permanent residency in Lima,Peru butif medicalyou carehave outsidelived Limathere canfor be3 limited.years Medicalor caremore.
To infind publicout hospitalsif isyou’re free,eligible butand youhow areto expectedapply, read guidance from the immigration office on changing to paypermanent forresidence yourstatus medicine(in andSpanish).
Citizenship
Peru sometimesrecognises fordual acitizenship. fewThis othermeans things.that Publicyou hospitalsdo oftennot experiencehave seriousto shortagesgive ofup basic(renounce) medicinesyour andBritish equipment.citizenship to become a Peruvian citizen.
PrivateTo medicalfind careout isif available,you’re buteligible itfor canPeruvian becitizenship, expensive.read Ifthe travellingnaturalisation and/orguidance livingfrom inthe Peru,Peruvian itimmigration isoffice highly(in advisableSpanish).
Help towith obtainvisa yourand ownresidency medical insurance. applications
The British Embassy isin unableLima tocannot fundhelp medicalwith carePeruvian visa and residency applications.
For any questions or treatmentissues, forcontact:
- the
BritishPeruviannationalsimmigrationinoffice,Peru.thePrivateSuperintendenciahospitalsNacionalmayderequireMigracionespayment(inpriorSpanish) - Peruvian
toConsulategivingGeneraltreatmentintoLondonpatients.For(inmentalSpanish) - an
healthEnglish-speakingmatters,lawyerseein Peru
Passports
Read our travelguidance andon mentalmoving, healthliving guideor retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a
listBritishofpassportUKfromandabroad - travel
internationalurgentlyorganisationswithoutthatyourcanBritishofferpassport
Healthcare support.in Peru
MoreRead informationour aboutguidance Peru’son publicmoving, healthliving systemor canretiring beabroad. foundThis oncovers thehow websiteto:
- plan
ofyourthehealthcare - take
HealthmedicineMinistryabroad
Peru (indoes Spanish).not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
PleaseThere findare theoften Embassy’sshortages list of basic medicines, medical facilities and practitioners.equipment in Peru, especially outside of Lima.
Note:Medical UKcare Travelin insurancepublic providershospitals willis notfree generallybut coveryou are expected to pay for your healthcaremedicine costsand ifsometimes youtoiletries liveand overseas.food.
Medicine
IfPrivate youhospitals arecan onbe aexpensive prescriptionand foryou anymay medication,have youto shouldpay ensureupfront, youbefore havereceiving atreatment. supplyMake ofsure it,you orhave areappropriate ablehealth insurance to obtaincover itany whenhealthcare incosts. Peru.You Certaincan medicinesget maypublic nothealth beinsurance availablefrom inthe PeruPeruvian (includingState major(in brandsSpanish) readilyor availableprivate inhealth theinsurance UK),from Peruvian and youinternational mayproviders.
The beBritish prohibitedEmbassy fromin takingLima themdoes intonot thefund country.medical Youcare shouldor consulttreatment yourfor GPBritish beforenationals travellingin toPeru.
To Peru to find out abouthow anyto alternativeget medication.medical treatment:
If
- contact
you’reyourtravellinginsurancewithprovider - read
prescriptionguidanceoronover-the-counterthemedicine,PeruvianreadhealthcarethissystemguidancefromNationaltheTravelPeruvian Ministry of HealthNetwork(inandSpanish) - find
CentreEnglish-speakingonmedicalbestfacilitiespracticeandwhendoctorstravellingforwithBritishmedicinesnationals in Peru
Working in Peru
IfRead youour areguidance planningon tomoving, moveliving toor Peruretiring andabroad. work,This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Peru, you need a work visa.
The PleasePeruvian contactimmigration 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 informationa onjob, theiryou requirementswill andneed whatto kindprovide ofyour work visa but you need.may also need to provide:
The
- your
Ministrypassport - proof of
Employmentresidency - a
PromotionUK(inpoliceSpanish) dealscertificatewith–employmentthismattersincludesinthePeru.police,ForjudicialmattersandrelatedcriminaltochecksrecognisedaeducationalPeruvianqualifications,employerpleasemaycontactasktheyouMinistryfor
Recognition of Education.qualifications
Studying in Peru
If you planwant to studywork in Peru, you mustmay meetneed allto visaapply requirementsto beforethe youNational travel.Institute Pleaseof contactHigher theEducation Peruvian(SUNEDU) Consulate(in in LondonSpanish) forto informationget onyour studentforeign visaqualifications application.recognised.
Tax
YouRead shouldmore getabout professionalcontacting adviceSUNEDU onand payinggetting taxforeign inqualifications Peru.recognised Find(in anSpanish).
Driving English-speaking lawyer in Peru
Read our guidance on:
taxonifmoving,youlivingleaveandtheretiringUKabroad.toThislivecovers how to:- drive abroad legally
taxtakeonyour UKincomevehicleifyouliveabroad
You
livecanabroadpayingdriveNationalinInsurancePeruwhileforabroadup toprotect6 months using yourStateUKPensiondriving licence andentitlementup tootheronebenefitsyearandusingallowancesan international driving permit
Benefits
CheckYou whichmust, UKby benefitslaw, youget canaccident claiminsurance whileknown abroaas SOAT (in Spanish)d andin howaddition to claimyour them.vehicle insurance.
ManyThe income-relatedPeruvian benefitsMinistry suchof asTransport Pension(in CreditSpanish) andprovides Housinginformation Benefiton cannotdriving bein paidPeru, ifincluding youhow areto:
- get
abroadaforprovisionalmoredrivingthanlicence4(inweeks.PensionsReadSpanish) -
get
StateaPensionPeruvianguidancedrivingiflicenceyou(inhaveSpanish)lived(known as a ‘brevete’ inAustralia,Peru) - renew
CanadaaorPeruvianNewdrivingZealandlicence (in Spanish)
Read andabout youroad aretravel claimingin orPeru, waitingin tosafety claimand yoursecurity UKin Statethe Pension.travel advice for Peru.
Disabled drivers
IfThe youNational retireCouncil infor Peru,the youIntegration canof claimPersons yourwith UKDisabilities State(CONADIS) Pensionissues orregistration newcards UKrecognising Statedifferent Pension.degrees Contactof thedisability. InternationalYou Pensionmay Centrebe forable furtherto information.
Peruregister andfor thea UKcard do(in notSpanish) havewhich ayou bilateralcan agreementuse onas pensiona funds.disabled parking permit.
If you have anya queriesUK inBlue respectBadge toand locallive pensionin lawsPeru, andyou procedures,must pleasereturn contactit to the Superintendenciaoriginal deUK Banca,issuing Segurosauthority.
Tax
Read your AFPguidance (inon Spanish)moving, andliving theor Asociacionretiring de AFPsabroad. (inThis Spanish) incovers Peru.
Lifetax, certificatesincluding forpaying UK Statetax Pensions
and National Insurance.
IfThe youUK gethas signed a ‘lifedouble certificate’taxation fromagreement thewith UKPeru Pensionbut Service,it youis mustnot respondyet asin soonforce. asWhen possible.it Yourcomes paymentsinto mayforce beit suspendedwill ifensure you do not.
Moneynot andpay banking
tax on the same income in both countries.
IfContact openingthe aMinistry personalof bankEconomy account,and youFinance will(in beSpanish) expectedfor toany submitquestions manyabout documents.double Pleasetaxation askrelief.
Consider thegetting bankprofessional ofadvice youron choicepaying abouttax theirfrom requirements.an English-speaking lawyer in Peru.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
ForRead informationour guidance on themoving, bankingliving rulesor andretiring privateabroad. fundsThis (AFP)covers:
- how
regulationstoinclaimPeru,yourpleaseUKvisitState Pension - where the
websiteUKofgovernment pays an annual increase in theSuperintendenciaStatedePension
Claiming Bancaa yPeruvian Segurospension
To (SBS)claim (ina Spanish).pension Thein SBSPeru, regulatesyou andneed supervisesto thehave financial,enrolled insuranceeither andwith privatethe fundsthe systems,National andPension preventsScheme and(SNP) detectsor moneythe launderingPrivate andPension terrorismScheme financing.(SPP).
Accommodation
Read guidance from the Department of Banking, Insurance and buyingPrivate property
SeePension buyingFund aAdministrators property(SBS) abroad(in Spanish).
Driving into Peru
Infind Peru,out whether you can driveclaim fora upSNP toor 6SPP monthspension. usingYou acan UKfind drivingout licensemore andfrom upthe toadministrators 1of yearthe with2 anschemes:
InternationalOficina Drivingde PermitNormalización Previsional (in Spanish). Carry yourfor passportSNP
withAsociacion youde atAFPs all(in timesSpanish) whenfor driving.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
ForRead informationour guidance on drivingmoving, inliving Peruor andretiring abroad. This covers how to obtainclaim theUK relevantbenefits permissionsabroad, forincluding yourChild vehicleBenefit.
Claiming orPeruvian howbenefits
Contact tothe obtainMinistry aof localLabour drivingand license,Employment pleasePromotion contact(MTPE) Peru’sto Ministryfind ofout Transportwhether (you can claim benefits in Spanish).Peru.
DrivingYou standardscan inclaim PeruPeruvian arebenefits poor.if Theyou:
- are
SOATaisPeruviananational - have
mandatorypaidvehicleintoinsurancetheestablishedPeruvianbysociallawsecuritythatsystemguarantees(ONP) or theimmediateprivateattentionpensionoffundroadsystemaccident(AFP)victims.
legal working residentDrivingasabroadahttps://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad
IfTo youfind areout askedmore forread aguidance letteron:
- what
authenticating,thecertifyingONPorprovidesvalidatingandyourhowUKitdriver’sworkslicence,(inyouSpanish) - the
shoulddifferencecontactbetweenyourONPUKandissuingAFPofficeand(egwhat theDVLA)PleaseAFPseeprovidesguidance(inforSpanish)
Buying travellingand byrenting roadproperty in Peru
IfRead youour wishguidance toon takemoving, yourliving vehicleor withretiring you, see (https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-ukabroad. )This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Disabled drivers
IfForeign younationals havecan apurchase UKand Blueown Badgeland and liveproperty Inin Peru,Peru. youContact mustan returnEnglish-speaking itlawyer toin thePeru originalif UKyou’re issuingconsidering authority.buying property or land.
Voting in Peru
UK elections
YouRead mayour beguidance ableon tomoving, voteliving inor someretiring UKabroad. elections.This Youcovers can:how to:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
BirthsPeruvian elections
IfYou yourcannot childvote isin bornPeruvian inelections Peruunless you shouldhold registerPeruvian thecitizenship.
Read birthguidance withfrom theor localcontact authorities.the YouNational canOffice thenof registerElectoral withProcesses the(ONPE) UK(in authoritiesSpanish) andfor applyinformation foron athe UKPeruvian birthelectoral certificate.system.
Studying in Peru
If youryou childplan hasto Britishstudy nationalityin Peru, you domust notmeet needall tovisa registerrequirements thebefore birthyou withtravel.
For themore UK authoritiesinformation:
- read
toguidanceapplyon travel grants forastudentsBritishstudyingpassportabroad or on placements (England).DeathsIf - contact
someoneyourdieshigher education provider inPeruthereadUK or Peru
Children
Read our guidance on:on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
Whatgetting permission todotakeifyoursomeonechilddiesabroadBereavementclaimingguidanceUKforChildPeruBenefit abroadEnglish-speakingchildfuneralmaintenancedirectorspaymentsinifPerua parent lives abroad
MarriageSchools and civil partnershipseducation
FindThe outMinistry howof youEducation can(MINEDU) get(in marriedSpanish) orprovides getinformation aabout civilthe partnershipschooling abroad.system in Peru.
YouAll maychildren alsoaged need6 guidanceto on16 notarialmust andattend documentaryschool services in Peru or list of lawyers in PeruPeru.
Pets
Read MINEDU’s guidance on:
Ifon youhow areto movingfind toa Peruschool withand enrol your pet,child read(in theSpanish) guidancein andPeru.
Childcare
Most ensurepeople youwho complyneed withit thearrange regulationsprivate on
takingchildcareyourforpettheirabroadtakingchildrenyourinpetPeru.Births,
todeaths,Perumarriages(inandSpanish)
Births
ToIf visityour otherchild countriesis withborn yourin pet,Peru, checkyou should register the rulesbirth forwith the countryPeruvian youauthorities are(in travellingSpanish).
Read to.our Contactguidance youron vetmoving, toliving getor theretiring travelabroad. documentsThis yourcovers pethow needs.to:
Read guidance on:
bringingregisteryourthepetbirth with the UK authorities toGreatgetBritain.aCheckUKthatbirthyourcertificate- apply
pet’sforrabiesyourvaccinationschild’sarefirstupBritishtopassport
Deaths
Read date.our Vetsguidance inon Greatmoving, Britainliving cannotor enterretiring rabiesabroad. vaccinationThis detailscovers:
- what
intonon-UKdoissuedafterpetsomeonepassports.dies abroad travellinghow toIrelandregister the death withyourthepetUK authorities
Emergencies
PeruIf usessomeone thedies followingin emergencyPeru, numbers:read guidance on:
Dialwhat105to(Police)Dialdo116after(FireaBrigade)DialBritish107person(Covid-19)dies in PeruDialEnglish-speaking114funeral(Missingdirectorsperson)in Peru
Marriages and civil partnerships
InRead theour caseguidance ofon domesticmoving, violence,living ifor youretiring wantabroad. toThis reportcovers ithow to theget Police,married youor shouldform calla thecivil policepartnership onabroad.
You 105.can Thealso read the Peruvian Governmentgovernment’s hasguidance aon numbergetting setmarried up(in toSpanish).
Divorce addressand domesticseparation
Read violence,our lineguidance 100on (informationmoving, isliving onlyor availableretiring inabroad. Spanish),This wherecovers youhow canto receiveget guidancea anddivorce reportor incidents.end a civil partnership.
MoreThe informationPoder onJudicial, violencethe againstPeruvian womenJudiciary, canoffers beguidance found on thehow Ministryto ofget Womena websitedivorce in Peru (in Spanish).Spanish).
IfConsider youtaking arelegal aadvice victimfrom ofan sexualEnglish-speaking assaultlawyer in Peru,Peru.
Documents pleasefor redBritish people in Peru
Read our guidance foron victimsdocuments offor sexualBritish assaultpeople in Peruabroad.. YouThis maycovers:
- legalising
needandtocertifyinggetUKindocuments - marriage
contactandwithcivilapartnershiplawyer,documents - affirmations
listandofaffidavits - witnessing
lawyersinPeru.signatures
See also https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad
Pets
If you arewant theto victimbring ofyour apet crime,with haveyou beento arrested,Peru, orread areguidance affectedon:
- bringing
byyourapetcrisis, contacttothePeruBritish(inEmbassySpanish) - taking
inyourLimapetatdog,ourcat24/7ornumber:ferret01to617a3000.non-EU country
Lawyers, translators and notaries
ReadTo thefind guidancean onEnglish-speaking internationallawyer, parentaltranslator childor abductionnotary ifin yourPeru, childread mayguidance beon atprofessional riskservices ofif this.you’re abroad.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanentlythe UK permanently. whichThis includes information on bringing family members,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.
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Update history
2025-12-11 13:34
Added new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports’ section).
2025-11-27 16:44
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-10-22 16:46
Information has been updated.
2023-08-15 20:50
We have removed the Coronavirus section.