How to Claim Your UK State Pension from Abroad (2026/27 Guide for Expats)

Retiring to Spain, India, Australia or the US? You can still get your UK State Pension. This guide explains who qualifies, how to claim from overseas, which countries get yearly increases, and how tax works. It was refreshed in November 2026 with the 2026/27 rates and the April 2026 changes to voluntary National Insurance for people abroad, and it now also covers our shorter article “Can you claim UK pension if you live abroad?”. All facts are checked against GOV.UK.

Can you get the UK State Pension if you live abroad?

Yes. The State Pension can be paid in almost any country. What matters is your National Insurance (NI) record, not where you live:

• You need at least 10 qualifying years on your NI record to get any new State Pension.
• You normally need 35 qualifying years for the full rate (more if you were “contracted out” before 2016).
• You can claim once you are within 4 months of State Pension age. State Pension age is currently 66 and is rising to 67 for people born on or after 6 April 1960, phased in between 2026 and 2028. Check yours on GOV.UK.

Years worked in the EEA, Switzerland or a country with a UK social security agreement may help you reach the 10-year minimum, though the UK pension itself is based only on your UK years.

How much is it in 2026/27?

Source: DWP benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027. Your own amount depends on your NI record; get a State Pension forecast.

Will your pension rise each year? The “frozen pension” rule

Your State Pension only increases each year if you live in:

• the European Economic Area (EEA);
• Gibraltar or Switzerland;
• a country with a social security agreement that allows increases, such as the USA, the Philippines, Israel, Jamaica, Barbados, Mauritius, Turkey, Serbia and several others.

Canada and New Zealand have agreements with the UK but do not get increases. In most other countries, including Australia, India, South Africa and Pakistan, your pension is “frozen” at the rate you first received abroad. If you move back to the UK, it goes up to the current rate, but missed increases are not back-paid. See GOV.UK: how your pension is affected.

How to claim from abroad, step by step

1. Check your forecast and NI record online with your Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login account.
2. Wait until you are within 4 months of State Pension age.
3. Claim through the International Pension Centre (IPC), either by phone on +44 (0)191 218 7777 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time) or by sending the international claim form to the address printed on it.
4. If you live in the EEA or Switzerland, you can also start the claim through your local pension authority, which will notify the UK.
5. Provide bank details: an overseas account (IBAN and BIC) or a UK account.

Source: GOV.UK: claim State Pension abroad.

How you’re paid

• You can be paid every 4 or 13 weeks into an overseas or UK account.
• Payments to overseas accounts are usually converted to local currency, with a 0.39% conversion charge.
• If you split the year between two countries, you must choose one country for payment.
• Report changes of address or bank details to the IPC by phone or letter.

Filling NI gaps from abroad: rules changed in April 2026

If you have gaps in your record, voluntary contributions can increase your pension. From 6 April 2026:

• You can no longer pay voluntary Class 2 contributions for time abroad.
• To pay Class 3 (£18.40 a week in 2026/27) for periods abroad after 5 April 2026, you need either 10 continuous years of UK residence or 10 years of qualifying contributions.
• For 2025/26 and earlier years, the older 3-year rules may still apply.

Check GOV.UK voluntary NI abroad before paying, and confirm with HMRC or the Future Pension Centre that a payment will actually raise your pension.

Tax on your UK State Pension abroad

The State Pension is taxable income. If you’re not UK resident, where you pay tax usually depends on the double taxation agreement between the UK and your new country. Under many agreements, the country where you live has the main taxing right on pensions. You may need form DT-Individual to claim relief, and you should tell HMRC when you leave the UK. See GOV.UK: tax on pensions if you live abroad.

Workplace and private pensions

These can usually be paid abroad too; contact each scheme directly. Moving a pension to an overseas scheme (a QROPS transfer) can trigger a 25% overseas transfer charge in many cases, so get regulated advice and beware of pension scams.

Common mistakes

• Not checking whether your new country gets yearly increases before you move.
• Assuming you can still pay cheap Class 2 contributions from abroad.
• Forgetting to update your address, which can lead to suspended payments.
• Paying for voluntary years that won’t raise your pension.

FAQ

Can I claim online from abroad?

GOV.UK directs overseas claimants to the International Pension Centre by phone or the international claim form.

Will my pension be frozen in Australia or Canada?

Yes. Neither country gets yearly increases.

Can I get a pension with fewer than 10 UK years?

Not a UK State Pension on its own, but time in the EEA or an agreement country may count towards the minimum.

Do I need to tell anyone if I move abroad?

Yes: tell the Pension Service and HMRC.

Can I get Pension Credit abroad?

No. Pension Credit is generally not paid if you live abroad permanently.