This guide sets out essential information for British nationals residing, or planning to reside, in Peru, including advice on health, education, residence requirements and more. We are unable to provide any guidance on general lifestyle enquiries apart from the information and links listed below.
See our information on what we can and cannot do for British nationals in Peru.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtain definitive information from the Peruvian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Stay up to date
Before you go
See our Peru Travel Advice for up-to-date information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
See moving or retiring abroad and our support for British nationals abroad: a guide.
Coronavirus
You should follow the advice of the Peruvian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Peru Travel Advice for our latest guidance.
For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Peru, see our coronavirus travel advice.
More information (in Spanish) is available on the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) website or by calling the 24/7 call free number 113, sending a WhatsApp message to +51 95284263 or emailing infosalud@minsa.gob.pe. Some private labs are also offering the COVID-19 test.
For contact details for English speaking doctors, visit our list of healthcare providers. Whilst many medications are available over the counter in Peru, local prescriptions will be required for some. Our medical panel list includes details of English-speaking doctors who can assist.
Your emotional and mental wellbeing are important. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health during the pandemic.
View Health for further details on healthcare in Peru.
See also the guidance on healthcare if you are waiting to return to the UK.
Visa, entry and residence requirements
For information on Peruvian immigration law, please contact the Peruvian Consulate in London or, if you are already in Peru, please contact the Peruvian Immigration Office. They will be able to provide you with advice on visas to work and reside in Peru.
Please also visit our Peru Travel Advice, which includes information on entry requirements to the country.
Applying for Peruvian citizenship
If you are a resident in Peru, you may be eligible to apply for Peruvian citizenship (in Spanish).
Renewing passports
See overseas British passports applications and get an emergency travel document (sometimes called an emergency passport) for information.
Healthcare
See the health section of our Travel Advice for Peru.
Healthcare is available in Lima, but medical care outside Lima can be limited. Medical care in public hospitals is free, but you are expected to pay for your medicine and sometimes for a few other things. Public hospitals often experience serious shortages of basic medicines and equipment.
Private medical care is available, but it can be expensive. If travelling and/or living in Peru, it is highly advisable to obtain your own medical insurance. The British Embassy is unable to fund medical care or treatment for British nationals in Peru. Private hospitals may require payment prior to giving treatment to patients.
For mental health matters, see our travel and mental health guide for a list of UK and international organisations that can offer support.
More information about Peru’s public health system can be found on the website of the Health Ministry.
Please find the Embassy’s list of medical facilities and practitioners.
Education
The Ministry of Education oversees the public education system in Peru. There are private schools around the country, although most are located in Lima. The quality of education varies greatly. There are international schools, including British schools, in the country, most of them located in Lima.
Working in Peru
British nationals need a visa to work in Peru. Please contact the Peruvian Consulate in London if you plan to work in Peru for information on their requirements and what kind of visa you need.
The Ministry of Employment Promotion deals with employment matters in Peru. For matters related to recognised educational qualifications, please contact the Ministry of Education.
Driving licenses and vehicles
See our guidance on driving abroad. In Peru, you can drive for up to 6 months using a UK driving license and up to 1 year with an International Driving Permit. Carry your passport with you at all times when driving.
For information on driving in Peru and how to obtain the relevant permissions for your vehicle or how to obtain a local driving license, please contact Peru’s Ministry of Transport.
The Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y Administración Tributaria has information about tax regulations for importing vehicles to Peru.
Driving standards in Peru are poor. The SOAT is a mandatory vehicle insurance established by law that guarantees the immediate attention of road accident victims.
See taking a vehicle out of UK.
Finance
If opening a personal bank account, you will be expected to submit many documents. Please ask the bank of your choice about their requirements.
For information on the banking rules and private funds (AFP) regulations in Peru, please visit the website of the Superintendencia de Banca y Seguros (SBS). The SBS regulates and supervises the financial, insurance and private funds systems, and prevents and detects money laundering and terrorism financing.
For information on taxes, please visit the Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y Administración Tributaria website.
See our guidance on financial assistance abroad and our support for British nationals abroad: A guide.
Pensions
See State Pension if you retire abroad and new State Pension.
If you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax.
Peru and the UK do not have a bilateral agreement on pension funds. If you have any queries in respect to local pension laws and procedures, please contact the Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP and the Asociacion de AFPs in Peru.
The British Embassy is unable to provide a letter confirming your national insurance contributions in the UK, and you will need to direct your enquiry to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs.
Benefits
See claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.
Check which UK benefits you might be able to get while you are abroad and how to claim them.
You can request proof of the time you have worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
Customs in Peru
See customs association on Peru.
Guidance on bringing medication into Peru
Please contact the Peruvian Consulate in London for information on bringing medication into Peru.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
If your child is born in Peru, you can register a birth abroad.
If someone dies in Peru, you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
You may also need a list of lawyers in Peru, or notarial and documentary services in Peru
Pets
Read guidance on:
Check the rules of the country you are travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.
Accommodation and buying property
Read out guidance on buying a property abroad.
Emergencies
Peru uses the following emergency numbers: Police (105) Fire (116) and Covid-19 (107)
If you need urgent help, contact the Embassy in Lima at our 24/7 number: 01 617 3000.
In the case of domestic violence, if you want to report it to the Police, you should call the police on 105. The Peruvian Government has a number set up to address domestic violence, line 100 (information is only available in Spanish), where you can receive guidance and report incidents.
More information on violence against women can be found on the Ministry of Women website.
If you are a victim of sexual assault in Peru, please red our guidance for victims of sexual assault in Peru.
You may also wish to contact our consular team in Peru for advice or support. If so, please call +511 6173000 and follow the prompts to the Consular Section.
Legal advice
See our list of lawyers in Peru.
Returning to the UK
Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.
If you get a UK State Pension, you must tell the International Pension Centre.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently.
If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test, you will be able to access NHS care without charge.
Other useful information
Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can support you if you get into difficulty
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.
