Guidance

Living in Chile

Information aboutfor movingBritish to,citizens livingmoving to or retiringliving in ChileChile, including visas,guidance working,on residency, healthcare and driving.

Getting

This helpguide withsets livingout inessential Chile

Helpinformation fromfor theBritish Chileancitizens government

For any questions about moving to or living in Chile,Chile. youRead mayabout behow ableour toBritish getEmbassy helpcan from the:help.

Thedefinitive UKinformation governmentfrom and the BritishChilean Embassyauthorities. inThe SantiagoForeign, cannotCommonwealth give& personalisedDevelopment adviceOffice on(FCDO) movingis to,not livingliable orfor retiringany inaccuracies in Chile.this information.

Professional help in Chile

YouSupport canfor alsoBritish getNationals helpAbroad: fromA English-speaking professionalsGuide insets Chile,out including:

  • lawyers
  • translators
  • notaries
  • funeralhow directors

HelpBritish fromnationals thecan UKstay government

Readsafe theabroad traveland advicehow for Chile to understand the risksFCDO youcan mayhelp face if you livedo inget orinto visit Chile. This includes the latest information on:difficulty.

  • visas and entry requirements
  • laws and cultural differences
  • safety and security

Read ourgeneral guidance on moving,moving living or retiring abroadabroad..

GetTo helpstay fromup to date: follow the UKBritish governmentEmbassy abroadin Santiago, includingon inFacebook anX, emergency.Instagram and LinkedIn

Visas,Before residencyyou and citizenshipgo

MakeSee sureour youtravel meetadvice the entry requirements for Chile beforefor youup-to-date travel.

Visasinformation andon residenceentry permits

Checkrequirements, whichlocal visalaws orand residencecustoms, permitsafety youand need to live in Chile. The Chilean National Migration Service (SERMIG) explains the different options available to you.emergencies.

YouSee canour getOverseas aBusiness visaRisk orguide residencefor permit to:Chile.

  • work
  • study
  • retire
  • live

    Coronavirus

    Follow withthe familyadvice inof Chile

  • investthe orChilean dogovernment business(in inSpanish) Chile

 Ifand youyour wantlocal toauthority. extendYou yourshould visaalso orread residencethe permit,Chile readtravel guidance on:advice.

Youcovid-19 canrestrictions, alsoplease contactcheck your local office of the Chilean Nationalgovernment Migrationwebsite Servicededicated (SERMIG).to this subject.

RUN

Visas and RUT

residency

RUN (‘RolCheck Únicothe Nacional’)entry isrequirements a national identity number used for manyChile essentialin procedures.our RUT (‘Roltravel Únicoadvice.

If Tributario’)you isare a taxpayerBritish number.passport Inholder Chile,visiting bothChile numbersfor aretourism theand same,for butless theythan are90 useddays, foryou differentdo purposesnot dependingneed ona the context.visa.

ForeignOn nationalsarrival mustin getChile their RUN through the Civilimmigration Registryauthorities (‘Registrowill Civil’).issue Theyou Civilwith Registrya provides‘Tarjeta informationde aboutTurismo identity- cardsTourist (inCard’, Spanish).an ReadA5 thesized sectionwhite ‘Identityform. cardYou formust foreigners’keep (‘Cédulathis Nacionaldocument paraon Extranjeros’).a  

Permanentsafe residency

Youplace mayand bepresent ableit to applyimmigration forwhen permanentyou residencyleave (‘residenciathe definitiva’)country. inIf Chile.you Youlose willit, needyou toshould haverequest liveda therecopy forof atthe leastTourist 12card months on athe ‘residenciaPDI temporal’website residence(in permit.

ToSpanish) findchoosing outthe ifoption you’re‘Duplicado eligiblede andTarjeta howde to apply:Turismo’.

Citizenship

Chile recognises(in dualSpanish) citizenship.for Thisdigital meansprocedures thatfor youChilean doimmigration notwas havestill toin givethe upprocess (renounce)of yourbeing Britishfinished citizenshipas tothe becomeimmigration alaw Chileanchanged citizen.recently.

To findrequest outa ifvisa you’reto eligiblelive forin ChileanChile citizenship:

Help

Passports with visa, residency and citizenship applications

travel

TheYou Britishcan Embassyapply infor Santiagoor cannotrenew helpyour withBritish Chileanpassport visa,from residency or citizenship applications.Chile.

ForCheck anythe questionsChile ortravel issues,advice contact:

PassportsSantiago and travel

Readother ourmajor guidancecities, onbut moving,private livingclinics orand retiringhospitals abroad.are Thisexpensive. coversHowever, howmedical to:

  • applycare forcan abe Britishlimited passportin fromremote abroad
  • travelareas. urgentlyCare withoutin yourpublic Britishhospitals passport

Dualis citizensnot travellingfree toof charge, and the UK

Whenfacilities travellinghave tobeen theknown UK,to Britishsometimes citizensexperience mustshortages carryof abasic validmedicines Britishand passportequipment. orIf certificatetravelling ofand/or entitlement.living Readin guidanceChile, onit dualis citizenship.

Residenthighly childrenadvisable travellingto withoutobtain amedical parentinsurance. orIf legalyou guardian

Readwish theto Chileanwork government’sin guidanceChile, onyou minorswill enteringneed andto leavingchoose Chilebetween (inpublic Spanish)(Fonasa) foror informationprivate on(Isapre) authorisationhealth forinsurance, residentwhich childrenis travellingmandatory withouteven aif parentyou oralready legalhave guardian.

Contactinternational theinsurance. ChileanPrivate Consulatehospitals insometimes Londonrequire (inpayment Englishprior andto Spanish)giving fortreatment moreto information.   patients.

Healthcare

For inmental Chile

Readhealth ourmatters, guidancesee onour moving,travel livingand ormental retiringhealth abroadguidance. Thisfor coversa howlist to:

  • planof yourUK healthcare
  • takeand medicineinternational abroad

Chileorganisations doesthat notcan haveoffer a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.support.

MakeMore sureinformation youabout haveChile’s appropriatepublic health insurancesystem tocan coverbe anyfound healthcareon costs.the Youwebsite canof getthe insuranceMinistry fromof ChileanHealth or(in international providers.Spanish).

IfYou youmay workalso inwish Chile,to youread willour needlist toof choosemedical between:

Youwill mustnot dogenerally thiscover evenyour healthcare costs if you alreadylive have international health insurance.overseas.

Medicine

ToIf findyou outare howon toa getprescription medicalfor treatment:

WorkingChile. inCertain Chile

Readmedicines ourmay guidancenot onbe moving,available livingin orChile retiring(including abroad.major Thisbrands coversreadily workingavailable abroad,in includingthe documentsUK), and you may needbe prohibited from thetaking UKthem government.

Tointo workthe incountry. Chile,You youshould needconsult ayour residenceGP permit.

Thebefore Chileantravelling Nationalto MigrationChile Serviceto (SERMIG)find explainsout theabout differentany residencealternative permits available to you.medication.

Read SERMIG’sthe guidance on:

YouIf canyou alsoare readplanning theto Chileanmove Labourto Directorate’sChile guidanceand forwork, foreignyou workersmay inneed Chile.a visa.

To apply for a job,job you may need to provide an apostilled police records certificate. This(Certificado isde calledantecedentes apenales).

The ‘certificadoNational deMigration antecedentesService penales’(Servicio inNacional Chile.de ForMigraciones) more(in information,Spanish) readgrants aboutresidence policepermits recordsto andforeigners legalisingwho UKhave documentsthe inpurpose ourof guidancesettling onin documentsChile for Britisha peoplelimited abroad.period.

RecognitionTemporary ofResidence qualifications(Residencia Temporal)

IfApplications youfor wanttemporary toresidence workmust inbe Chile,made youfrom mayoutside needof toChile getthrough yourthe foreignplatform qualificationsof recognised.

For more information:

Drivingto inthe Chile

Readrequirements ourand guidancethe onactivities moving,they livingcan orcarry retiringout abroad.in Thisthe covers how to:country.

Spanish)

Ifhttps://ayuda.serviciomigraciones.cl/es/support/tickets you’re(in residentSpanish)

To insubmit Chile,an youapplication must apply for a ChileanTemporary drivingResidence licencePermit (in(Residencia Spanish).Temporal) You’llyou will need to pass theory,create practical,a psychometricnew user and medicalapply tests.in the following link:

You’llhttps://tramites.extranjeria.gob.cl also need to show proof of completion of education (in Spanish).

To Ifcheck youthe don’tdifferent haveresidence documentspermits tofees, proveplease youcheck completedthe yourfollowing education,link:

https://serviciomigraciones.cl/aranceles/ you(in maySpanish)

For needmatters related to takethe anrecognition exam.of Youeducational canqualifications, readplease furthercontact information from the Ministry of TransportEducation (in Spanish) on getting a Chilean driving licence.Spanish).

WhenIf youin getthe orUK, renewplease yourcontact Chilean driving licence, the Chilean authoritiesConsulate mayin issueLondon.

Some youjobs withmay require a newUK digitalcriminal drivingrecords licencecheck (in(known Spanish).as   

Fora moreDBS information:check).

travel.

Disabled drivers

YouThe mayMinistry beof ableEducation to(in registerSpanish) onhas theresponsibility Chileanfor Nationalthe Disabilitypublic Register.and Onceprivate registered,education yousystem willin getChile. aThere disabilityare credentialprivate whichschools states:

  • around the characteristicscountry, most of yourthem disability
  • whetherlocated youin haveSantiago. reducedThe mobility

Thisquality allowsof youeducation tovaries accesssignificantly. differentThere benefits,are includinga disablednumber parkingof spaces.

Readinternational theschools, Chileanincluding government’sBritish guidanceschools, on:

and Concepcion.

IfContact youthe haverelevant ahigher UKeducation Blueprovider Badge and live in Chile,Chile you must return it to thecheck originalwhat UKfees issuingyou authority.

Tax

Readhave ourto guidancepay. onPlease moving,note livingthat orpublic retiringuniversities abroad.are Thisnot coversfree tax,of including paying UK tax and National Insurance.charge.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Chile so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact Ask the Chileanrelevant Internaltax Revenueauthority Serviceyour (SII) (in Spanish) for any questions about double taxation relief.

ConsiderYou should consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Chile. To(which docould this,be findprovided by an English-speaking lawyer in Chile.)).

Pensions

You may also wish to read guidance on:

Claiming

[tax yourif you leave the UK pension

to live abroad]

Read[tax ouron guidanceyour onUK moving,income livingif oryou retiringlive abroad.]

[tax Thisif covers:you get a pension and live abroad]

Claimingyou acan Chileanclaim pension

while abroad
and how to claim them.

ContactMany theincome-related Chileanbenefits such as Pension AuthorityCredit (‘Superintendenciaand deHousing Pensiones’)Benefit tocannot findbe outpaid whetherif you canare claimabroad afor pensionmore inthan Chile.4 weeks.

Pensions

You canmay alsowish to read theState ChileanPension government’s guidance onif retirementyou have lived in ChileAustralia, (inCanada Spanish)or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Chile, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.

Chile and the UK do not have a bilateral agreement on pensionPension funds. YouHowever, maythere beare ablecertain toprocedures withdrawthat allow the withdrawal of pension fund contributions at the end of your stay in Chile, asalthough longthe asprocess youis do not havestraightforward. ChileanThe citizenship.basic However,conditions thisare processset canout be(in complicated.Spanish) Readon the Chilean Pension Regulator’s guidancewebsite on(Superintendencia applyingde for a pension abroad (in Spanish)Pensiones)..

CheckIt is important to check that your employment contract contains a clause or annex that specifically states that you will continue to pay national insurance contributions in the UK. The British Embassy in Santiago cannot provide a letter confirming your National Insurance contributions in the UK. If you need this letter, contact HMRC.

In Chile, you will also need to show that you: 

  • haveyou hold a university degree or technical qualification which(this haswill beenneed to be legalised in the UK
  • UK), and that you have paid the necessary Nationalnational Insuranceinsurance contributions in the UK to cover you for illness, invalidity, pension and death benefit
benefit.

It is generallyalso veryadvisable difficult for foreign nationals to withdrawcontact funds successfully when they leave. Contact your Chilean Pension Fund (AFP)(AFP), for further guidance as soon as you starttake up your job.position Theyto canensure help you to understand the documentation that you will need to provide at the end of your timestay. The British Embassy is unable to provide a letter confirming your national insurance contributions in Chile.the UK, and you will need to direct your enquiry to HMRC.

Benefits

ClaimingLife certificates for UK benefitsState Pensions

ReadIf ouryou guidanceget ona moving,‘life livingcertificate’ orfrom retiringthe abroadUK Pension Service., Thisyou coversmust howrespond toas claimsoon UKas benefitspossible. abroad,Your includingpayments Childmay Benefit.be suspended if you do not.

Claiming

Money Chileanand benefits

banking

YouTo mayopen bea entitledbank account in Chile, it is mandatory to somehave Chileana benefitsRUT if(a younational workidentity andnumber). payYou socialwill securityreceive contributionsthis inonce Chile.you obtained temporary/permanent residence.

ToSee findour outGuidance ifon you’reFinancial eligibleAssistance Abroad and howour toSupport claim:for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide.

Children

Readwith ourthe guidanceUK onauthorities moving,to livingapply orfor retiringa abroadBritish passport.

Deaths

If Thissomeone coversdies movingin abroadChile withread children,our including:guidance on:

Read maintenanceour paymentslist ifof aEnglish-speaking parentfuneral livesdirectors abroad in Chile.

SchoolsMarriage and educationcivil partnership

TheFind Chileanout Ministryhow ofyou Educationcan (inget Spanish)married providesor informationget abouta thecivil schoolpartnership system in Chile.abroad.

AllIf childrenyou agedare 6a toBritish 18national mustgetting attenda schoolmarriage or homecivil schoolpartnership inabroad, Chile.you Tomight enrolneed yourcertain childdocuments infrom publicthe school,UK yougovernment, must apply for example a placecertificate viaof theno Chileanimpediment School(CNI).

Pets

To Admissionsenter SystemChile (inwith Spanish).pet Theredogs, arecats alsoand private,ferrets, internationalthe andsanitary Britishrequirements schools.established Thesein arethe mostlynational locatedregulation must be met. Servicio Agricola Ganadero (SAG) (website in Santiago,Spanish) Viñais delthe Mar,authority andthat Concepción.oversee this matter.

ForRead more information,about read the Chileanrequirements government’sin guidancethe on:following links:

Childcare

TheTo Undersecretaryvisit ofother Earlycountries Childhoodwith Educationyour (inpet, Spanish)check isthe responsiblerules for earlythe childhoodcountry educationyou’re andtravelling careto. inContact Chile.

Births,your deaths,vet marriagesto andget civilthe partnerships

travel documents your pet needs.

BirthsRead guidance on:

Emergencies

TheChile Chileanuses Civilthe Registryfollowing willemergency registernumbers: twoambulance surnames(131), forfire a(132), child.police These(133) arefor usuallyCarabineros theor mother’s(134) andfor thePDI father’s.(Civil police).

If you onlyneed giveurgent themhelp, one,contact theythe willBritish oftenEmbassy usein itSantiago.

In twice,the e.g.case Jackof Jonesdomestic Jones.violence, Youfor canemergencies chooseyou theshould ordercall of the surnames.police Theon Chilean133 governmentor provides134.The moreChilean informationGovernment onhas registering a child’snumber nameset (inup Spanish).

Readto ouraddress guidancedomestic onviolence moving,(149) livingwhere oryou retiringcan abroad.receive Thisguidance coversand howreport to:

  • registerincidents. In the birthcase withof theviolence UKagainst authoritieswomen, tothe getequivalent anumber UKis birth1455. certificate
  • applyMore forinformation youron child’sviolence firstagainst Britishwomen passport

Deaths

Readcan ourbe guidancefound on moving,the livingMinistry orof retiringWomen abroadwebsite. This(in covers:

  • whatSpanish). toThere dois afteralso someonea diesnumber abroad
  • howfor toreporting registerchild theabuse deathand withreceiving theinformation UK authorities
(147).

If someoneyou diesare inthe Chile,victim readof guidancea on:

.

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read ourthe guidance on moving,international livingparental orchild retiring abroadabduction. Thisif coversyour howchild tomay getbe marriedat orrisk getof this.

If you have been the victim of a civilrape partnershipor abroad.

Yousexual canassault alsoin Chile, read the ChileanChile: government’sinformation guidancefor onvictims reservingof anrape appointmentand tosexual registerassault a- civilGOV.UK or(www.gov.uk). religiousSee marriagealso (inVictim Spanish)of rape and sexual assault abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Divorce

If andyou separation

Readare oura guidancevictim onof moving,sexual livingassault orin retiringChile, abroad.you Thisshould coversreport howit to getthe aclosest divorcepolice station or endcall athe civilpolice partnership.

Consider(133 takingor legal134). adviceIn fromthe ancase English-speakingof lawyersexual inabuse Chile.of Theminors, Chileanyou governmentcan alsocall offers147 guidancefor oninformation accessingand freeto legalreport. adviceIn forChile, divorceyou proceedingscan (inapproach Spanish).

Documentsthe government-support network for Britishvictims peopleof insexual Chile

Readassault, ourwho guidanceprovide onpsychological documentsand forlegal Britishsupport. peopleMore abroad.information Thisis covers: available at the links below:

Lawyers,

Aimed translatorsat andall notaries

Topeople findwho anhave English-speakingbeen lawyer,victims translatorof orviolent notarycrime, inso Chile,that readthey guidancereceive onfree professionaland servicesspecialised ifpsychological, you’resocial abroad.and legal assistance.

Pets

IfAn youinterdisciplinary wantteam composed of lawyers, psychologists and social workers, and the aim of the work is to bringhelp yourthe petvictim withand youhis or her family to Chile,repair readthe guidanceeffect on:caused by the experience of a violent crime.

You formay authorisationalso wish to entercontact our consular team in Chile withfor petadvice dogsor andsupport. catsIf (inso, Spanish)

  • takingplease yourcall pet+56 dog,22 cat370 or4100 ferretand follow the prompts to athe non-EUConsular country
  • Section.

    Returning to the UK  

    Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanentlythe UK permanently. Thiswhich includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

    Your non-British family members backwishing to return with you will require their own immigration status.

    Once permanent residence in Chile has been obtained, it may be lost if the UK,person taxremains outside Chile for more than 1 year. In case of wanting to maintain the residence and accessnot being able to services.return within 1 year, you must inform the Chilean embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence to justify the reason for not being able to return and express the will to maintain your permanent residence. Read the guidance on how to request this extension (in Spanish). This can only be requested once, and after being 2 years outside of Chile you will automatically lose your permanent residence.

    DisclaimerOther useful information

    WeRemember providethat thisthe informationSupport asfor British nationals abroad: a guide only. sets Forout definitivehow information,to contactstay safe abroad, and explains how the ChileanFCDO authorities.

    Readcan oursupport consularyou informationif disclaimer.you get into difficulty.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 August 2015
    Last updated 12 FebruaryDecember 20262025 + show all updates
    1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).

    2. Update December 2025

    3. Updated version of guidance

    4. Added specific information on COVID-19 vaccines in Chile

    5. Updated guidance May 2020

    6. Website updates.

    7. First published.

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