Social Security abroad: NI38
Find out about paying National Insurance contributions to the UK and getting benefits when abroad.
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Some people employed abroad have to pay UK National Insurance contributions. Others may choose to pay them to help qualify for benefits when they return to the UK or for State Pension or bereavement benefits, whether they return to the UK or stay abroad.
This guidance describes:
- the classes of National Insurance contributions
- how paying them affects your entitlement to Social Security benefits
- arrangements for getting healthcare cover
Apply to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for periods spent abroad (CF83).
The deadline for paying voluntary National Insurance contributions for the tax years 6 April 2006 to 5 April 2018 has been extended to 5 April 2025, if you’re eligible.
Read about the deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions extended to April 2025.
Updates to this page
Last updated 27 March 2024 + show all updates
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Added translation.
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The Social Security abroad (NI38) guidance has been updated.
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Information on applying to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for periods spent abroad has been moved to a linked page.
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The deadline for paying voluntary National Insurance contributions for the tax years 6 April 2006 to 5 April 2018 has been extended to 5 April 2025, if you’re eligible.
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The deadline to pay your voluntary National Insurance contributions has been extended from 5 April 2023 to 31 July 2023. A link for more information about the extension has been added.
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'France' has been re-added to the list of EU countries in the section 'EU and social security agreement countries'. This was omitted in error.
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The Social Security abroad (NI38) guidance has been updated and form CF83 is now available separately.
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The Social Security abroad: NI38 has been replace with an updated version due to Brexit transition.
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An updated verison of the Social Security abroad: NI38 has been added to this page.
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First published.