Living in the Dominican Republic
Official information British people moving to and living in Dominican Republic need to know, including healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Dominican Republic. Read about how the British Embassy in Santo Domingo can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Dominican 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(https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad).
To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy Santo Domingo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Before you go
See our travel advice for Dominican Republic and Overseas Business Risk Guide for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Dominican Republic in our travel advice.
If you intend to relocate or work in the Dominican Republic, you must apply for a special visa before travelling.
See how to apply for a visa to enter Dominican Republic in the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
See moving or retiring abroad.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Dominican Republic.
Check the Dominican Republic travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Dominican Republic
Please refer to the FCDO Travel Advice for the Dominican Republic for advice on healthcare.
The Dominican Republic and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.
The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
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 Dominican Republic. Certain medicines may not be available in Dominican Republic (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 Dominican Republic to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
You should check your prescriptions are legal in Dominican Republic.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Working in Dominican Republic
If you are planning to move to Dominican Republic and work, you may need a visa. Read the Dominican government’s guidance on working in Dominican Republic as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
Studying in Dominican Republic
If you plan to study in Dominican Republic, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. See the Dominican migration authority website and the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for information on obtaining a student visa.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Dominican Republic to check what fees you have to pay.
A range of private bilingual schools is available. Further information on schools and education in the Dominican Republic can be found at the Dominican Ministry of Education website.
If you are planning to study in the Dominican Republic, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa. The Dominican Republic Embassy website has more information.
Tax
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Dominican Republic. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Dominican Republic.
Read guidance on:
- Tax if you leave to UK to live abroad.
- Tax on you 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 Dominican Republic, 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 need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
Money and Banking
See your finances when travelling abroad.
The local currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP). Pounds sterling currency and cheques are not accepted. US Dollars and Euros are more common in tourist areas, but pesos are always accepted even if prices are given in US Dollars.
There are no British banks in the Dominican Republic.
Local banks are generally modern, with online banking, mobile apps and good customer service.
Cash machines are widely available and UK debit cards are widely accepted. Cash withdrawals from a UK account are usually limited (up to around £200) and will incur fees (around £4, plus your UK bank non sterling transaction fees), so costs can add up quickly.
UK credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but will also usually incur UK bank non sterling transaction fees.
Accomodation and buying property
You should consult a lawyer with relevant experience before purchasing any property in the Dominican Republic. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Dominican Republic.
Driving in the Dominican Republic
Read the guidance on transport risks and what actions you must take to drive in Dominican Republic, in the FCDO Travel Advice for the Dominican Republic.
You can drive using a UK driving licence for visits not exceeding 3 months. For longer visits, you should apply for a local driving licence.
Check with the Dominican driving licence authorities to find out how to apply.
You will need to present a certified copy of your valid UK licence.
To certify your driving licence, you will need to get a copy certified by a UK notary or lawyer in the UK. Once this is done, the Legalisation Office in the UK needs to attach an apostille and return the legalised driving licence to you. While some notaries may not be willing to carry out a notarial act without an individual being present, others are, and are also willing to forward applications to the Legalisation Office once they have completed their part. You can find a list of notaries currently authorised to practice on the website of the Faculty Office (the regulator of Notaries Public in England and Wales). You should contact notaries directly to check whether you would need to be present when they notarise your driving licence.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.
See driving abroad.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Dominican Republic, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, marriages and deaths
Births
If your child is born Dominican Republic, 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 Dominican Republic read our guidance on:
- What to do if someone dies abroad.
- Bereavement guidance for Dominican Republic.
- Find a lawyer in Dominican Republic.
- Find a funeral director in Dominican Republic.
- Find a translator or interpreter in Dominican Republic.
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
If you want to travel to the Dominican Republic with your cat or dog, see the Dominican government’s rules for entering the country with cats and dogs.
See travelling with pets.
Emergencies
Dial 911 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade.
Dial +1 (809) 682-2151 Ext. 2525 to report a missing child.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Dominican Republic, read the guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault in the Dominican Republic. See also 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 Embassy Santo Domingo.
See our list of English-speaking lawyers in Dominican Republic.
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.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.
Updates to this page
Published 20 November 2013Last updated 13 February 2024 + show all updates
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Driving in the Dominican Republic section has been updated with steps on how to certify your driving licence.
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hyperlinks updated
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New information under "Money and Banking" and "Driving in the Dominican Republic" sections
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Updated guidance on all sections and updated format.
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Removed outdated guidance on COVID-19 vaccination.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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This guide has been updated on August 2019.
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First published.