Living in Mexico
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Mexico, including guidance on residency, healthcare, and security.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Mexico. Read about how the Embassy in Mexico City and the Consulate in Cancun can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the local 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:
Before you go
See our Mexico travel advice for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety, and emergencies.
If you plan to run a business in Mexico see the overseas business risk guide.
Visas and residency
Check the Entry requirements section of our Mexico travel advice for information about entry into Mexico.
Also look at
(You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension, and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.)
(British nationals who plan a permanent stay in Mexico living off their own financial means are required to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa on economic grounds - Visa Permanente por solvencia económica.)
Applicants are required to apply for a visa in person through a pre-arranged interview. Make an appointment.
The visa issued at the Mexican Embassy in London is a single-entry visa, valid up to 180 days and will allow the holder to enter Mexico to exchange it for a Temporary Resident Card within 30 days of arrival in Mexico, at the nearest migration office (INM). The Temporary Resident Card will be valid for one year and multiple entries.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport while in Mexico at overseas British passport applications. Note that the issuing of a passport takes place in UK. Allow good time before any planned trip.
Check the entry requirements – Mexico travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Mexico
Residents in Mexico are required to register in order to receive state healthcare, or to ensure that you have private healthcare.
UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live permanently overseas.
- register to obtain your Social Security Number and access healthcare
- guidance on Health risks, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website
In the last 3 years there has been an increase in reported cases of a food and water bug, cyclospora, affecting travellers returning from Mexico, particularly from the Riviera Maya region between the months of May and June. You should follow the advice at NaTHNaC – Cyclospora and summer travel.
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 Mexico. Certain medicines may not be available in Mexico (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 Mexico to find out about any alternative medication.
Read this guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Mexico
If you are planning to move to Mexico and work, you should apply for a visa or permit at the nearest Mexican Embassy or Consulate. If you are in the UK, you can contact the Mexican Embassy in London.
Check the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores) website for more information on Mexican visa requirements, costs, application process, and types of visas.
To apply for a job, you may need:
- a UK police certificate.
- to apply for temporary or permanent Mexican residency (Spanish).
Studying in Mexico
If you plan to study in Mexico, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
All students (regardless of their nationality) are required to obtain a student visa when they are going to stay in Mexico for a period of more than 180 days.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Mexico to check what fees you have to pay.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations through the Mexican Agency for Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) summons foreigners interested in studying in Mexico, at the levels of Specialty, Master’s, Doctorate and Postgraduate Research, as well as student mobility programs Undergraduate and Postgraduate, to participate in the “Call for Excellence Scholarships of the Government of Mexico for foreigners 2018. For more information, visit AMEXCID.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Mexico 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 Mexico. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Mexico.
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 are abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
If you retire in Mexico, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
You can claim state pension abroad if you have paid enough UK National Insurance contributions to qualify.
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
The local currency is the Mexican Nuevo Peso, known colloquially as “Peso”. It is easier to exchange US dollar travellers’ cheques and notes into local currency than Sterling. UK debit and credit cards are widely accepted for payment and in ATMs. It is not usually possible to exchange cash at hotel receptions – this can only be done at banks and bureaux de change.
Accommodation and buying property
The local currency is the Mexican Nuevo Peso, known colloquially as “Peso”. It is easier to exchange US dollar travellers’ cheques and notes into local currency than Sterling. UK debit and credit cards are widely accepted for payment and in ATMs. It is not usually possible to exchange cash at hotel receptions – this can only be done at banks and bureaux de change.
Accommodation and buying property
Foreign nationals have been caught up in property scams. Before making financial commitments and buying property in Mexico, you should seek independent qualified legal advice.
Read our guidance on Buying a property abroad.
Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution grants the Mexican Nation ownership of the land and water within the territory and provides that the Nation shall oversee the transfer of ownership rights to individuals, by creating private property.
Read Mexican Foreign Affairs Office advice on the acquisition of properties. This guidance is in English.
Driving in Mexico
Foreigners who enter Mexico as visitors (tourists) can drive with valid and current licenses issued by the Government of their country of nationality.
Foreigners residing in Mexico must apply for their license at the Traffic or Highway Department of the Government of the state where they reside in Mexico. For information on this procedure, you should contact that authority directly.
For further guidance on driving and travelling in Mexico, please check the links below:
- learn more about driving abroad
- if you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact the DVLA .
- guidance for travelling by road in Mexico here
- if you want to take your vehicle with you, see https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk
- driving license issuing authority in Mexico City: https://www.semovi.cdmx.gob.mx/
Driver’s licenses are processed in the state where you are – just as there may be different road regulations. Look at the guidance for each state. Driver’s licenses are nationally valid so you can drive through any state in the country.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Mexico, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
Foreigners may in no way interfere in the political affairs of the country. Foreign nationals resident in Mexico cannot vote in municipal and district elections according to Constitutional Article No. 33.
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 Mexico, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate. If your child has British nationality you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Mexico read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
- what to do after a British person dies in Mexico
- English-speaking funeral directors in Mexico
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
To enter or leave Mexico with a pet, check the guidance from the Mexican control agency.
Emergencies
Dial 911 for emergencies, the police or ambulance services, or dial:
- 074: Federal roads and bridges of revenues and related services
- 078: Los Ángeles Verdes guidance and tourist information (Service available in English)
- 55 53 95 11 11 - Mexican Red Cross
- *0311: Locatel, reporting missing family members, lost vehicles, and any reports on urban infrastructure
- 55 56 83 22 22: Civil protection. Responsible for protecting people, property, and the environment in situations of serious collective risk
- 089 :Anonymous complaint
- 088: Federal Police
- *765: SOS Women Line (Mexico City only)
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Mexico, read:
- Mexico: information for victims of rape and sexual assault.
- guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault
- Mexico: lawyers
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the:
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, as well as guidance on tax, and access to services.