Going abroad: your benefits and pension

For the Republic, see living and working across the border.

Tell the office that pays you

If you want information about receiving your benefits during a temporary or permanent absence, you must tell the office that pays your benefit. You must contact your Case Manager or Work Coach straight away if you plan to go abroad, to check if your entitlement will be affected.

In some circumstances, you may keep getting Universal Credit for up to one month during temporary trips abroad.

Looking for work in Europe

You may be able to get contribution-based New Style JSA in the EEA for up to three months if you meet the conditions, for example if you have registered as a jobseeker for at least four weeks before you leave.

Your State Pension abroad

If you are planning to live abroad when you retire, you can still claim your State Pension. You might be eligible for an overseas state pension as well as the new State Pension in the UK. You can get advice from the International Pension Centre.

Preparing to move

Give Land Registry an address where you can be contacted abroad, because empty properties or those with tenants can be targeted by fraudsters. When you arrive, make a will if you do not already have one.

If you are moving with children, contact the education authority or schools information service in the place you are moving to: not all countries have free state education.

Common questions

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