Living in St Lucia
Advice for British people living in St Lucia, including information on health, education, benefits, and residence requirements.
Overview
This guide sets out information for British citizens moving to or living in St Lucia.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the St Lucian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British nationals abroad guidance 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 Bridgetown on:
Before you go
See our travel advice for St Lucia for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the St Lucia entry requirements in FCDO travel advice.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from St Lucia.
Check the St Lucia travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in St Lucia
There is no reciprocal health care agreement between St Lucia and the UK. The main hospital, Owen King European Union Hospital (OKEU) will charge a fee for treating foreign nationals. The hospital can provide many types of treatment, but serious cases will need to be evacuated, usually to Martinique or the USA.
UK travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Before choosing to be treated at a private facility, you should check their policies on pre-payment. Private clinics may not accept medical insurance as payment for treatment. Further information on health care in St Lucia is on FCDO travel advice for St Lucia.
Medicine
If you take prescription medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in St Lucia. Certain medicines may not be available in St Lucia (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 St Lucia to find out about any alternative medication.
Read NHS guidance if you need to travel abroad with medicines.
British nationals wishing to bring medication into St Lucia must contact the Ministry of Health Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations on +1 (758) 468 5309 or email ealth@candw.lc
Education
St Lucia’s state education system is generally of a lower standard than the UK’s. Private schools are available. For more information on schools in St Lucia, visit the St Lucia Ministry of Education website.
Working and studying in St Lucia
If you are planning to move to St Lucia to work, you may need a visa. For information and advice on residency, work permits and student visas, contact the St Lucia Immigration Department:
- tel: +1 (758) 456 3825
- email: immigration@rslpf.com
You can also contact the St Lucia High Commission.
British nationals are not permitted to work in St Lucia without a valid work permit. You can apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development and Labour. Phone +1 (758) 468 5204.
If you are planning to study in St Lucia you should check current visa requirements in advance with the St Lucia High Commission in UK. British national students coming to study are required to hold a student visa. For information on visas for students contact the St Lucia Immigration Department.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in St Lucia to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in St Lucia. Find an English-speaking lawyer in St Lucia.
Read guidance on:
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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 St Lucia, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the [International Pension Centre] (https://www.gov.uk/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
You should contact banks to check their latest requirements before booking an appointment to open a local account. All transfers to/from St Lucia bank accounts are conducted through correspondent banks, so you should check routing instructions carefully.
There are cash machines at the branches of banks and in some major supermarkets.
Accommodation and buying property
To buy property in St Lucia, you will need an alien landholding license. You should seek advice from a lawyer or real estate agent
Driving in St Lucia
You can read general guidance about driving abroad.
Read the guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in St Lucia from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Transport Physical Development and Urban Renewal.
Residents and visitors are required to hold a valid St Lucia licence or permit. Driving licences and permits are issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Transport Physical Development and Urban Renewal.
Visitor permits, valid for 3 months, can also be issued by car hire companies or obtained at police stations if you provide a valid driving licence and passport. You will need to pay the licence fee.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
For guidance for travelling by road in St Lucia see FCDO travel advice.
If you want to take your vehicle with you, read about taking your vehicle out of the uk.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in St Lucia, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Public buses in St Lucia are not equipped for disabled passengers. Bus services in rural areas are not frequent, and do not operate 24/7.
Voting
Read information on voting rights in St Lucia.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. To find out more:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in St Lucia you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities.
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 St Lucia, read our guidance on:
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Find out more about getting married in St Lucia and the requirements.
Pets
For conditions for the importation of animals into St Lucia refer to the veterinary import permit.
Emergencies
- dial 911 for the police, ambulance and the fire brigade
- dial 911 for the police to report a missing child
We have provided information for victims of a rape or sexual assault in St Lucia.
See also general guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Castries.
Read guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read 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 19 September 2024 + show all updates
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Reviewed and updated
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Guidance has been reviewed and updated.
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Please see the updated 'Living In' Guides for St Lucia - February 2021
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First published.