Living in Benin
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Benin including guidance on residency, employment, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Benin. Read about how our High Commission in Accra can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Beninese 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:
- sign-up to receive travel advice email alerts
- follow the British High Commission Accra on Facebook and Twitter
Before you go
See our travel advice for Benin for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
You will need a visa to enter or travel through Benin as a visitor. You should get a short stay or multiple entry e-visa by applying and paying online. The visa will then be issued on arrival at the airport in Cotonou.
You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
Check the entry requirements for Benin in our travel advice.
For general information about visas and permits, visit the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration website.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Benin.
Check our travel advice for Benin for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Benin
Benin and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive Travel and Medical Insurance before you enter the country. You may also look at the health risks and necessary precautions to be taken on the TravelHealthPro website.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
If you are moving abroad on a permanent basis, you will no longer be entitled to medical treatment in the UK under normal NHS rules. This is because the NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
Medical facilities in Benin, in comparison to the UK, are a much lower standard, particularly in rural areas. Emergency facilities are extremely limited. There are private hospitals available, which offer better facilities than the public hospitals, but these are also limited in the treatments that they can offer, and usually only available in larger cities.
In serious cases, doctors will often advise that a patient be medically evacuated to another country with better medical facilities. The cost of an air ambulance is very high.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Benin.
See a list of medical facilities in Benin.
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 Benin. Certain medicines may not be available in Benin (including major brands readily available in the UK). If you have a condition that necessitates regular medication, bring enough to last the duration of your trip or ensure that the medication is available in your destination country. To avoid any form of misunderstanding, carry along with you a letter from your doctor listing your medications and explaining why you need them. In some cases, you may be prohibited from taking some medications into the country. In that case, you should consult your GP before travelling to Benin to find out about any alternative medication.
Read guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Local Laws and Customs
Please read through the travel advice for local laws and customs.
Safety and Security
Please read though the travel advice page about safety and security.
Society
French is the official language and is widely spoken.
Benin is regarded as a friendly and peaceful country. Offering food and drink to visitors is an important aspect of hospitality, and refusing is considered impolite. It is poor etiquette to eat with the left hand or offer another person something with it.
You should research and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.
Homosexuality is legal in Benin, but same-sex relationships are not universally accepted. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and in public transport. Certain public places in Benin have a smoking ban.
Working in Benin
A business visa and work permit are required to work in Benin. All work permits in Benin must be obtained before moving to the country, as they must be applied for through the Beninese Embassy in your home country. If you have already gained employment in Benin, your prospective employer will be able to sponsor your application. Visit the Directorate of Emigration and Immigration for further information.
Studying in Benin
If you plan to study in Benin, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Benin to check what fees you have to pay.
Education
For people travelling to Benin with their children, there are a few international schools available, most of which are in Cotonou, the country’s largest city.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of schools in Cotonou that offer international programs for students:
NOTE: The British High Commission, Accra does not specifically recommend/endorse any of these schools.
Legal Procedures in Benin
The British High Commission can provide you with a list of English-speaking lawyers in Benin who can advise on legal procedures.
Tax
There is no double taxation agreement between the United Kingdom and Benin; therefore, you may be taxed on your UK income by the country in which you’re resident (Benin) and by the UK.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Benin. Find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Benin
Read 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 Benin, 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
Currency
The currency of Benin is the West African franc with symbol and currency code XOF. Notes are in denominations of XOF10, 000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of XOF500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Exchanging Money
Currency can be exchanged at banks and in major hotels. Also available are bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros or GBP.
Banking in Benin
It is quite easy to open a bank account in Benin. Processes are usually quite straightforward, but differ depending on which bank. For example, some may request a passport only, others will request a resident’s permit.
Most banks in Benin provide online and telephone banking services.
ATMs and Credit Cards
Benin is a cash-based society and credit cards are not widely accepted. There are some ATMs, dispensing local currency (West African XOF).
Accommodation and buying property
There are officially no restrictions for foreigners who want to acquire land in Benin. The right to own and transfer private property is protected by the Land Property Act.
Real and personal property are registered with the Land Office of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Because Benin is a French-speaking country, the registration process and all documentation is done in French. If necessary, you are advised to seek the services of an English-speaking lawyer in Benin for assistance.
Driving in Benin
Read the guidance on driving abroad.
See guidance for travelling by road in Benin.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Driving licence rules for residents in Benin
You can drive in Benin with an International Driving Permit (IDP). You can get an IDP over the counter at the Post Office in the UK. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. Conversion to a local Benin driving licence is not required, although it is possible.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Benin, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
To vote in any Beninese election you must be a Beninese citizen aged 18 years or older.
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 Benin, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate. See register a birth abroad for more information.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to get a passport for your child
Deaths
If someone dies in Benin read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- Bereavement guidance for Benin
- English-speaking funeral directors in Benin
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad
Pets
If you are travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need to get an export health certificate (EHC). You will also need to complete an export application form (EXA) if you are in England, Scotland or Wales. An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements of the country you’re travelling to. You must nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC. They’ll check your pet has met the correct health and identification requirements before you travel.
Pet import regulations for Benin require that you have:
- a Pet Passport
- proof of current vaccination
- Health Certificate for Benin
Emergencies
Dial:
- 117 for police
- 118 for fire service
- 112 for ambulance
- 160 for support for children
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault, read information for survivors of rape and sexual assault. You may also contact the British High Commission Accra for assistance.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Accra.
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.
Updates to this page
Published 9 May 2023Last updated 27 March 2024 + show all updates
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Links to list of English-speaking lawyers have been updated; Link to Bereavement information included.
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First published.