Living in Uruguay
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Uruguay, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Uruguay. Read about how our embassy in Montevideo can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Uruguayan authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad 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 Embassy Montevideo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Uruguay for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Uruguay in our travel advice.
For visa and residency requirements, you must visit the Uruguayan immigration authority’s website Dirección Nacional de Migración.
For information on obtaining an identity card known as Cédula de Identidad (CI), you must visit register and request through the centralised Uruguayan government website.
You can get a police certificate, if you have been asked to provide a copy of your police records as part of a visa or residency application. The British Embassy cannot issue any type of certificate in relation to personal information which might be held about you in the UK. Once you have obtained your police certificate you must get it legalised by the Legalisation Office in the UK before submitting it to the Uruguayan authorities.
You can apply for temporary residency or permanent legal residency through the Dirección Nacional de Migración (National Department of Immigration). The links provide information regarding how to start the process and which documents you will need to present.
If you do not speak Spanish, you may want to consider taking a translator with you to your appointment. Foreign documents submitted to local authorities should be legalised and translated into Spanish. You should check with the office where you will be presenting the documents what the exact requirement are, as these may be subject to change without notice.
The links below may help with getting the documents you will need to present for you residency application:
- get a UK document legalised in the UK. The British Embassy is unable to legalise documents, you should have this done in the UK
- get a criminal records certificate: Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO), Disclosure Scotland, Northern Ireland Direct
- for copies of birth certificates, (long versions should be requested) you should contact the General Register Office UK
- list of interpreters and translators in Uruguay
- register your foreign birth certificate at the Dirección General de Registro de Estado Civil (General Registry Office)
- how to apply for your first Cédula de Identidad (Identity Card) at the Direccion Nacional de Identificación Civil (National Civil Identification Department).
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Uruguay.
Check the Uruguay travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Uruguay
See our travel advice for Uruguay.
There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Uruguay and the UK.
Medical facilities are good, but can be expensive. Public hospitals tend to be crowded. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
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 Uruguay. Certain medicines may not be available in Uruguay (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 Uruguay to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Uruguay
The Uruguayan authorities do not issue work permits. In order to be able to work, foreigners must become legal residents by applying to the National Immigration Directorate..
Once issued with your identity card (cédula), foreign workers must be registered in the Banco de Previsión Social (BPS) with this document in order to be able to work legally. Junta Nacional de Migración has prepared frequently asked questions (PDF, 533 KB) on residency, cédulas and entering Uruguay.
For information on whether you are able to work and requirements to work in Uruguay please also contact the Uruguayan Consulate in London.
Studying in Uruguay
If you plan to study in Uruguay, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Uruguay to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Uruguay 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.
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 Uruguay, 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
You need an identity card (CI) to set up a bank account in Uruguay.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Uruguay
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office
See guidance for travelling by road in Uruguay
See guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK
Driving licence rules in Uruguay if you live there
Read the guidance on obtaining a local driving licence or obtaining a local driving licence with your UK driving licence
Information on how to obtain a Uruguayan driving licence in Montevideo or any other department.
Read guidance on obtaining an international driving permit
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Uruguay, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
You may be able to vote in elections as a resident foreign national in Uruguay
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Uruguay 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 Uruguay read our guidance on:
What to do if someone dies abroad
Guide for bereavement in Uruguay
English-speaking funeral directors in Uruguay
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
If you are moving to Uruguay with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:
The British Society in Uruguay
You can sign up to the British Society’s monthly newsletter for information, events and activities.
Updates to this page
Published 30 June 2016Last updated 10 October 2023 + show all updates
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This guidance has been reviewed and updated. October 2023.
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Updated Living in Guide - February 2021
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First published.