Coronavirus

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Guatemala. Read about how the Embassy in Guatemala can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should followget thedefinitive adviceinformation offrom the Guatemala’slocal governmentauthorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets andout yourhow localBritish authority.nationals Youcan stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can alsohelp readif ouryou Guatemalado travelget adviceinto difficulty.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To forstay ourup latestto guidance.date, follow:

• British Embassy in Guatemala on Facebook
• UK in Guatemala on X
• UK in Guatemala on Instagram

Before you go

ForSee our Guatemala travel advice for up-to-date information on gettingentry arequirements, COVID-19local vaccinelaws asand acustoms, UKsafety, nationaland emergencies. 

If you plan to run a business in Guatemala see ourthe overseas coronavirusbusiness travelrisk adviceguide.

Visas and residency

SeeCheck the entryEntry requirements tosection enterof our Guatemala travel advice for ininformation ourabout travelentry advice.into Guatemala.

Also look at

• Information on temporary and permanent residency

(You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension, and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.)

British nationals are not required to obtain a Guatemalan visa to visit Guatemala as a tourist for short stays but visitors must comply with migration requirements to enter the country for longer periods of time.

Please see the coronavirus section in our travel advice on present regulations and restriction related to coronavirus and entering Guatemala.

For information on Guatemalan migration law, please contact the Guatemalan Embassy in London or see the website of the Guatemalan Migration Institute onof detailsMigration aboutin requirementsGuatemala forCity.  temporary and permanent residence. 

If you overstay your visa then you should expect to pay a fine before leaving the country.country.  This fine can only be paid at the main Guatemalan Migration Institute of Migration in Guatemala City.City.   FinesYou cannotcan bealso paidpay the fine at the airportairport, orhowever landyou borders.can have considerable delays and risk to lose the flight.    

For general information on Guatemala, please visit PROATURthe website of PROATUR, an office part of the Tourist Authority that provides information and assistance to tourists.

Passports and travel

SeeYou ourcan apply for or renew your British passport while in Guatemala travelat overseas adviceBritish passport applications. forNote up-to-datethat informationthe onissuing localof lawsa andpassport customs,takes safetyplace andin emergencies.

Seethe movingUK. orAllow retiringgood abroad.

Seetime overseasbefore Britishany passportsplanned applicationstrip.

Check andthe entry getrequirements an– emergencyGuatemala travel documentadvice for (sometimespassport calledvalidity an emergency passport).requirements.

Healthcare in Guatemala

Guatemala and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements.

You should buy comprehensive travel Travel and medicalMedical insuranceInsurance before before you enter the country.

TheUK NHSTravel hasinsurance informationproviders forwill peoplenot movinggenerally abroad.

Youcover shouldyour checkhealthcare yourcosts prescriptionsif areyou legallive inpermanently Guatemala.overseas.

Healthcare

• For isguidance availableon inHealth Guatemalarisks, Cityvisit butthe National medicalTravel careHealth outsideNetwork Guatemala City is limited. Medical care in public hospitals is free but sometimes public hospitals experience serious shortages of basic medicines and equipment.
  Centre website

Private medical care is available but can be expensive.expensive.  If travelling and/or living in Guatemala, it is advisable to obtain medical insurance.insurance.  Private hospitals might require payment prior to giving treatment to patients, even if personal medical insurance covers the cost of treatment. treatment.  Please see the  healthHealth pages in our travel advice.

More information about Guatemala’s public health system can be found on the website of the Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social. (in Spanish).

The Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social has a social security system for registered workers.

Working

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 Guatemala. Certain medicines may not be available in Guatemala

Some jobs(including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may requirebe aprohibited UKfrom criminaltaking recordsthem check.into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Guatemala to find out about any alternative medication.

BritishRead this nationalsguidance if canyou workneed to travel with medicines.

Working in countryGuatemala

If ifyou authorisedare planning to workmove to Guatemala and havework, you should apply for a visa or permit at the appropriatenearest Guatemalan permissionsEmbassy to. doIf so.you Pleaseare contactin the UK, you can contact the Guatemalan Embassy in London. if  You youcan planwork in Guatemala if authorised to workdo so. 

Check the Guatemalan Guatemalan Embassy in GuatemalaLondon for formore information on requirementsGuatemalan andvisa whatrequirements, kindcosts, ofapplication permissionsprocess, orand the type of visa you need.  

To apply for a job, you may need: 

• A UK police certificate
• To apply for a temporary or permanent Guatemalan residency (visit the website of the Institute of Migration in Spanish)

The Ministry of Work of Guatemala deals with employment matters in Guatemala.Guatemala.  For matters related to recognised educational qualifications, please contact the Ministry of Education. (website in Spanish).

For information on local tax, please visit the Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria (SAT)SAT website.website (in Spanish),

Studying in Guatemala

TheIf Ministryyou ofplan Educationto study in Guatemala, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. For more information about requirements, consult the nearest Guatemalan Embassy.

Contact promotesthe relevant education provider in Guatemala,Guatemala verifiesto educationalcheck centerswhat andfees providesyou otherhave servicesto relatedpay toand education.documentation you will need.

MoneyTax

Ask andthe relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief. 

SeeYou should get professional advice on paying tax in Guatemala. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Guatemala.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad and
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad.

  We

• tax recommendif you get professionala advicepension onand live abroad
• paying taxNational inInsurance Guatemala.
  while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances

If opening a personal bank account, you will be expected to present documentation to prove that you live in Guatemala, your address in Guatemala, place of work and the name of people in Guatemala that can give references about you.

You will also be asked to explain the origin of the funds that will be deposited in your account.account. For For information on the banking rules, please visit the website of the Superintendencia de Bancos. (in Spanish).

For information on tax, please visit the Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria (SAT)SAT website.

If interested in investing in Guatemala, please contact the Guatemalan Embassy in London for information.

If you need more guidance on local law, the British Embassy provides a list of EnglishEnglish-speaking speakinglawyer lawyers in Guatemala.

National Insurance

Benefits

YouCheck which mayUK bebenefits ableyou tocan payclaim Nationalwhile Insuranceabroad and whilehow abroadto inclaim orderthem.

Many toincome-related protectbenefits yoursuch Stateas Pension Credit and entitlementHousing toBenefit othercannot benefitsbe andpaid allowances.if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

If you retire in GuatemalaGuatemala, you can claim:

• yourclaim your UK State Pension or  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 a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you needmust to respond as soon as possiblepossible. –Your your payments may be suspended if you don’t.do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

ReadThe ourlocal guidancecurrency onis entitlementthe Guatemalan Quetzal.  It is easier to UKexchange benefitsUS dollar notes into local currency than Sterling. Currency exchange service is available at the bureaux de change at arrival at the airport and pensionsat whilea select banking institutions (but they may require you areto livinghold inan Guatemala.

Youaccount willin needorder to tellexchange thecurrency). It UKis governmentnot officesusually thatpossible dealto withexchange yourcash benefits,at pensionhotel andreceptions. UK taxdebit ifand youcredit cards are movingwidely oraccepted retiringfor abroad.payment and in ATMs.     

CheckTo whichopen benefitsand operate a Guatemalan bank account you canmust claimcomply whilewith abroadvarious requirements and howlocal tolaw. For claimdetailed them.information on money and banking, please contact the nearest Guatemalan Embassy.  

Accommodation and buying property

ManyForeign income-relatednationals benefitshave suchbeen ascaught pensionup creditin andproperty housingscams. benefitBefore cannotmaking befinancial paidcommitments toand youbuying ifproperty you’rein abroadGuatemala, foryou moreshould thanseek 4independent weeks.qualified legal advice.

TheRead Institutoour Guatemaltecoguidance deon Buying Seguridada Socialproperty abroad.

Guatemalan haslaw adoes socialnot securityimpose systemrestriction forupon registeredacquisition workersof thatproperty coversby medicalforeign attention,nationals. There medicalare consultation,restrictions examinationsregarding andproperty tests.on Itcertain alsoareas includeswhich medicalcannot attentionbe inowned caseby ofnon-Guatemalan accidentnationals. Please andseek inlegal someadvice casesbefore acquiring a stateproperty pension.in Guatemala.   

LegalYou adviceshould mightget beprofessional necessaryadvice inbefore somebuying cases.a Theproperty Britishin EmbassyGuatemala. You providescan afind listan ofEnglish-speaking Englishlawyer speaking lawyers in Guatemala.

Driving in Guatemala

SeeForeigners can use a UK photocard driving abroad

Seelicence takingto adrive vehiclein outGuatemala for up to 3 months (as long as their permit of thestay UK.is still valid).

For information on driving in Guatemala and how to obtain the relevant permissions for your vehicle, please contact Guatemala’s Transit Police.

Driving licences are issued by the company called Maycom, who can provide information on costs and procedures.

The Superintendencia de Administracion Tributaria (SAT)  has information about tax regulations for importing vehicles to Guatemala.Guatemala (in Spanish).

Voting

YouFor mayfurther beguidance ableon todriving voteand travelling in someGuatemala, UKplease elections.check Youthe can:links below:

• checkLearn ifmore youabout driving are able to voteabroad
• registerIf asyou anare overseasasked voterfor toa vote

Births,letter deathsauthenticating, andcertifying gettingor married

Seevalidating registeryour aUK birthdriver’s abroadlicence, you should contact the DVLA.

If .

Guidance someonefor diestravelling inby Guatemalaroad youin can:

Guatemala here
• readIf ouryou guidancewant on what to dotake afteryour someonevehicle dieswith abroadyou, see https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk
• readDriving guidancelicense forissuing UKoffice nationals on bereavement in Guatemala City: Maycom
• findDriver’s alicenses listare ofnationally English-speakingvalid funeralso directorsyou can drive through any state in Guatemala the country.

FindArticle out24 howof youthe canregulations getof marriedthe abroad.

transit law refers specifically to holders of foreign driver’s licenses (in Spanish).

Disabled drivers

If you needhave morea UK guidanceBlue onBadge and locallive lawin andGuatemala, what documentation you willmust needreturn pleaseit contactto the Guatemalanoriginal EmbassyUK inissuing London.authority.

Voting

Also,Foreigners themay Britishin Embassyno providesway ainterfere listin the political affairs of Englishthe speakingcountry. lawyersForeign nationals resident in Guatemala. cannot vote in Presidential or Municipal elections.

FindYou outmay aboutbe notarialable andto documentaryvote servicesin forsome BritishUK nationalselections. inYou Guatemalacan:

Pets

See

• Check travellingif withyou petsare able to vote.

• Register as an overseas voter

EmergenciesBirths, deaths, and getting married

Births

If youyour needchild urgentis help,born contactin yourGuatemala, nearestyou Britishshould embassyregister orthe consulate.

Pleasebirth contactwith the Britishlocal Embassyauthorities.  inYou Guatemalacan +502then 2380register 7300with (ifthe youUK areauthorities callingand apply outsidefor workinga hours,UK youbirth willcertificate. If beyour transferredchild has British nationality you do not need to aregister consularthe officer).

Accommodationbirth andwith buyingthe property

SeeUK authorities buyingto apply for a propertyBritish abroadpassport.

Other

Deaths

If usefulsomeone informationdies in Guatemala read our guidance on:

• getwhat yourto UKdo documentif legalisedsomeone dies abroad
• Englishwhat speakingto lawyersdo after a British person dies in Guatemala
• CamaraEnglish-speaking defuneral Comerciodirectors dein Guatemala

Marriage (Chamberand ofcivil Commercepartnership

Find ofout how Guatemala)

INGUATyou (Touristcan Authority)

listget ofmarried translatorsor andget interpretersa incivil Guatemalapartnership abroad

.

ReturningPets

See totravelling thewith UKpets

ReadThe institutions in Guatemala responsible for regulating the guidanceentry onand returningexit toof pets in Guatemala is the UKMinisterio permanentlyde Ganaderia y Alimentación (MAGA) whichand includesthe customs office. Important information on,can amongstbe otherfound things,here.

For tax,detailed accessinformation on how to servicesbring andyour bringingpets familyto members.Guatemala, consult with your nearest Guatemalan Embassy.

Emergencies

IfDial: Fire youand areAmbulance: returning122 toor the123  Police: UK110 

If afteryou beinghave abeen permanentthe resident,victim itof isa importantrape toor informsexual theassault followingin localGuatemala, authorities:read:

• Superintendencia Guatemala: deinformation Administracionfor Tributariavictims (taxof office)rape and sexual assault.
• Ministryguidance for victims of Work
• Guatemalanrape Embassyand insexual Londonassault
• TransitGuatemala: Policelawyers

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the:

• MinistryBritish ofEmbassy HealthGuatemala City

LegalRead advicethe guidance mighton beinternational necessaryparental inchild someabduction.

Returning cases.to Thethe BritishUK

Read Embassythe providesguidance aon returning listto ofthe UK permanently which Englishincludes speakinginformation lawyerson inbringing Guatemala.family members, as well as guidance on 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.