Living in Mozambique
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Mozambique, including guidance on visas, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Mozambique. Read about how the British High Commission in Maputo can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Mozambican 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 the British High Commission in Maputo on Facebook and Twitter.
This guide links to websites owned and operated by the Government of Mozambique. Note that most of these resources are written in Portuguese. The British High Commission publishes a list of translators.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Mozambique for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
See our Overseas Business Risk - Mozambique guide for information on key security and political risks that UK businesses may face when operating in Mozambique.
Coronavirus
You should follow the advice of the Mozambican government and your local authority.
You should also read the Mozambique travel advice for the latest guidance.
Visas and residency
To live in Mozambique you need to apply for a visa and residence permit.
Check the entry requirements for Mozambique in our travel advice.
See how to apply for a visa to enter Mozambique. You also have the option to apply for an e-Visa. The National Migration Services (SENAMI) has information on residence permits and the relevant fees. SENAMI is located on Av. Ho Chi Minh no 316, Maputo. You may be asked to provide the following documentation:
- completed immigration forms
- a certified copy of your valid passport
- a valid working or residence visa
- a letter from your employer
- a copy of your Criminal Record Check from your country of origin
- 3 passport sized photos
A resident British national can sponsor their family members to live in Mozambique as long as they meet all immigration requirements. You will need to provide documents such as bank statements and proof of employment from your employer. SENAMI will be able to guide you through this process if you visit their offices.
If you overstay your visa, you will be fined and/or imprisoned and may not be able to return to Mozambique for a period of time. Regularly consult with the National Immigration Services (SENAMI) to ensure that you are abiding to the stipulated visa requirements.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Mozambique.
Check the Mozambique travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Mozambique
There are no reciprocal health agreements between the UK and Mozambique.
Most expats will get private medical cover, which includes provision for treatment in South Africa in the case of serious illness or injury. The major healthcare providers in Maputo are Lenmed Private Hospital, ICOR and Clinicare. See our list of medical facilities in Mozambique.
Medical facilities are limited compared to the UK. Private medical facilities tend to be of a higher standard and are more likely to have English-speaking staff available. Healthcare options are limited outside Maputo.
As a resident in Mozambique, you do not need to register for public healthcare.
If you cannot or choose not to obtain public healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover.
Note: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
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 Mozambique. Certain medicines may not be available in Mozambique (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 Mozambique to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Mozambique
If you are planning to move to Mozambique and work, you will need a work visa and a residence visa.
Read the Mozambican government’s guidance on working in Mozambique as a foreign national and how to get a visa. The process can be complex and take several months. Your employer should organise your work visa with SENAMI and with the Mozambican Ministry of Labour prior to your arrival.
To apply for a job you may need to provide:
- residence permit
- work permit
- criminal record
- Taxpayer Identification Number (NUIT)
Studying in Mozambique
If you plan to study in Mozambique, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
There is a range of both public and private schools and universities in Mozambique. Private schools tend to have better facilities than public schools. The following international schools use the Cambridge system as well as other internationally recognised systems such as the International Baccalaureate:
- American International School
- The French School
- The Portuguese School
- Maputo International School
- The Aga Khan Academy
- Maputo International College
- Willow International School
- Grandeur International School
Contact the Ministry of Education in Mozambique for information on the education system and on applicable fees.
Tax
The UK does not have a double taxation agreement with Mozambique so you will have to pay tax in both countries. Mozambican Corporate Income Tax and Property Tax are admissible for unilateral relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Mozambique. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Mozambique.
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.
Check if you’re eligible for Mozambican social benefits with the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Action and with the National Social Action Institute.
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 Mozambique, you can claim:
- your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information
- your Mozambican pension if you worked in Mozambique, by contacting the National Institute for Social Security (INSS) or the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security
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
You will still be able to use your UK bank card in Mozambique. Individual ATMs might place limitations on your card, depending on your banking provider.
When deciding to open a bank account in Mozambique, there are many international banks to choose from, including Standard Bank, ABSA and BCI. You will have to provide a range of documents, depending on the bank. Some banks require:
- residence permit
- working permit
- employer’s letter
- Tax Identification Number
Most banks in Mozambique are accessible digitally, giving you the option for online banking. However, some transactions such as international transfers are done in person. Some banks also have foreign currency exchange restrictions. It is best to contact each bank and enquire on the best option for you.
Accommodation and buying property
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
In Mozambique, all land is owned by the state. You can only buy the right to use the land over a period of 50 years. If you’d like to know more about this, you should contact a local property lawyer.
Driving in Mozambique
Read the guidance on:
Driving license rules
UK Driving licenses are valid for the first 90 days of your stay in Mozambique. After that time, if you want to drive you must hold an International Driving Permit (only valid with a UK licence) or a Mozambican licence. It is a criminal offence to drive without a valid licence in Mozambique.
How to get a Mozambican driving license
You have two options:
- Go to any driving school in Mozambique and take the driving exam. If you pass, you will be issued with a Mozambican driving licence. The process is as follows:
- go to a private driving school and submit a request for an extraordinary exam or arrange to take lessons if you drive already
- a date is set for the written and practical exams. You can only take the exam in Portuguese (you may not have to sit the practical test if you hold a full UK driver’s licence)
- you may have to sit for an eye test at the Medical Exam Center and produce a police check. If you have been in Mozambique for more than a couple of years, you should be able to get a check from the Criminal Registry. If you have been living in the UK, you can contact ACRO, the UK criminal records office
- Change your UK licence for a Mozambican driving licence.
- you will need your UK driving licence, with an official translation, which you can get by consulting our list of translators. The British High Commission does not issue letters confirming the authenticity of United Kingdom Driving licences. However, you can view your driver’s license information online through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in order to show the local authorities
- you must then submit all documents to the National Institute for Land Transport and Vehicles (INATTER). In Maputo, this is on Av 25 de Setembro, opposite the Central Market
- if you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you may obtain a letter from the British High Commission indicating that the British High Commission does not authenticate driving licenses by visiting the British High Commission during working hours on Avenida Vladimir Lenine, no 310 Maputo
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Mozambique, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You cannot vote in Mozambican elections.
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 Mozambique, you should register the birth with the local civil registry office authorities. The First Civil Registry Office in Maputo is located at Av. Karl Marx, 1550. 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.
Death
If someone dies in Mozambique read our guidance on:
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You may also need:
Pets
If you are moving to Mozambique with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:
Most apartments (if renting) do not allow residents to keep pets. You will have to consider this when searching for accommodation.
If entering the country with a pet, you need to follow the guidance issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. In order to bring your pet to Mozambique you will need to obtain an import license from the National Department for Veterinary (DINAV). You will also need to obtain an international health certificate, certifying good health and relevant vaccinations. You will also need to check the relevant airline and carrier requirements prior to traveling.
If returning to the UK, read the guidance on bringing your pet to Great Britain.
Emergencies
Dial the following numbers for emergency services:
- Police: 112 / 119 / 213 25 031
- Ambulance: 213 22 222
- Fire Brigade: 198 / 824 768 990
You should have the emergency contact of a nearest police station or medical facility saved, in the case that the above numbers do not work.
If you have been a victim of a rape or sexual assault in Mozambique, read the information for victims of rape and sexual assault.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Maputo.
If you need guidance on child abduction and believe your child may be at risk, read the guidance on international parental child abduction. Dial 112 to report a missing child.
If you need legal assistance while in Mozambique see the local list of lawyers.
Returning to the UK
If you live in Mozambique and are currently considering returning to the UK, you should consider how you will support yourself and how non-British members of your family may be able to accompany you. There is information available to help you make informed choices about living abroad and preparing to return to the UK.
If you have not made full National Insurance (NI) contributions, remember you may not be eligible for state benefits or support. HM Revenue & Customs provide some useful information on returning to live in the UK for non-residents, including how to make NI contributions from abroad.
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
Last updated 10 May 2023 + show all updates
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Reviewed and updated guidance in full.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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New information regarding obtaining a driver's licence while in Mozambique.
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Updated paragraph "Driving licences and vehicles".
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First published.