When you are planning a move overseas, your State Pension is unlikely to be top of the list. There is a visa to sort, a house to sell, and a home to pack. But a small amount of checking before you go can make a real difference to your income decades from now, and the rules changed in 2026.
We move people overseas; we are not financial advisers. This guide sets out the facts from GOV.UK so you know what to look at. For decisions about your own money, speak to a regulated adviser.
Quick answer: you can claim your UK State Pension in most countries, but it only rises each year in some of them. Since 6 April 2026, people living abroad can no longer pay cheap voluntary Class 2 National Insurance for their time overseas; only the more expensive Class 3 is available, and you now need 10 years of UK residence or contributions to qualify. Check your forecast before you leave.
Will you still get your State Pension if you move abroad?
Yes, if you have paid enough National Insurance (NI). You need at least 10 qualifying years to get any new State Pension, and 35 for the full amount. You can claim from abroad, once you are within four months of State Pension age, through the International Pension Centre.
What can change is whether it goes up.
Which countries freeze your State Pension?
According to GOV.UK, your State Pension increases each year if you live in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, Switzerland, or a country with a social security agreement with the UK that allows for it. Anywhere else, you do not get yearly increases. Your pension stays at the rate it was when you first claimed it or left the UK, whichever came later. Canada and New Zealand are specifically excluded from increases.
Here is how that looks for the countries we move people to most often:
<td”>Yes (social security agreement)
| Destination | Yearly increases? |
|---|---|
| Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Ireland | Yes (EEA) |
| Switzerland | Yes |
| USA | Yes (social security agreement) |
| Australia | No, frozen |
| Canada | No, frozen |
| New Zealand | No, frozen |
| South Africa | No, frozen |
| UAE | No, frozen |
| India | No, frozen |
If you return to live in the UK, your pension goes up to the current rate. It is worth checking the full list on GOV.UK for your own destination, because agreements can change.
A frozen pension does not sound dramatic in your first year. Over 20 years of retirement, with prices rising around you, it matters a great deal. It does not mean Australia or Canada is the wrong choice. It is simply one more thing to plan for, alongside the cost of living and the other factors that decide where you go.
What changed in April 2026?
If you have gaps in your NI record, you can usually pay voluntary contributions. For people living abroad, this used to be cheap. The rules changed in the Autumn 2025 Budget.
From 6 April 2026:
- Class 2 is no longer available for time abroad. It was the cheaper option, at £3.65 a week in 2026 to 2027.
- Class 3 is the only voluntary option for time abroad, at £18.40 a week in 2026 to 2027, which is approx. £957 a year.
- The entry requirement rose. To pay for time abroad after 5 April 2026, you must have either lived in the UK for 10 unbroken years beforehand, or have 10 years of qualifying contributions. It was three.
Some people who applied before 6 April 2026 have transitional rules, and different rules apply to earlier tax years. HMRC estimated around 46,000 people paying Class 2 from abroad would be affected.
You must apply first. GOV.UK is clear that you should not make any payment until HMRC writes to you with the amount and a reference number.
Whether it is worth paying depends on your record, your age and where you are going, which is why a forecast comes first.
Planning A Move Abroad?
While you look at the long-term picture, your move manager can give you a realistic date and a plan for the move itself. Tell us where you are going and when, and you will know what needs doing first.
What should you do before you leave the UK?
Five things, most of which take less than an hour.
- Check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK. It shows what you are on course for and whether you have gaps.
- Check your NI record at the same time, and save or print a copy while you still have easy UK access.
- Find out whether your destination has a social security agreement. This can affect increases, and which country you pay into if you work there.
- Tell HMRC you are leaving. Form P85 is the usual route, and it is also worth looking at how your tax residence changes.
- Speak to a regulated adviser if you have private or workplace pensions. Moving those abroad is a separate matter with its own risks and tax rules.
Which papers should you keep out of the container?
This is where we can help most directly. On packing day, a crew packs what is in the room, and your belongings may be at sea for two or three months. Anything you need to prove your record or deal with HMRC should travel with you, not in a box.
Keep these in your hand luggage, or as secure scans:
- Your National Insurance number and passport
- Your State Pension forecast and NI record
- P60s and P45s from recent years
- Private and workplace pension statements
- Marriage and birth certificates, which can matter for some pension and residence claims
Our guide on what documents you need to move abroad has the full list. A simple habit helps: put one folder aside before the surveyor visits, and tell the crew on the day that it is not to be packed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still pay into my UK State Pension if I move abroad?
You may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions if you lived in the UK for 10 unbroken years beforehand or have 10 years of qualifying contributions. Class 2 is no longer available for time abroad after 5 April 2026. Check your own position with HMRC before you pay anything.
Why is the UK State Pension frozen in Australia and Canada?
Yearly increases only apply in the EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland and countries with a qualifying social security agreement. Australia is outside those groups, and Canada is specifically excluded even though it has an agreement. Your pension is paid, but it does not go up.
Does my State Pension go up if I move back to the UK?
Yes. GOV.UK says your pension will rise to the current rate if you return to live in the UK. It is worth checking how this applies if you plan to go back and forth.
How many years of National Insurance do I need for a State Pension?
You usually need at least 10 qualifying years to get any new State Pension, and 35 for the full rate. Years paid while working in some other countries may help you qualify, depending on agreements with those countries. Your forecast on GOV.UK shows your own figure.
Is it worth paying voluntary National Insurance when living abroad?
That depends on your record, your age and how long you expect to draw your pension, so there is no general answer. Start with your forecast, and contact the Future Pension Centre or International Pension Centre. For a personal view, speak to a regulated financial adviser.
Do I have to tell the UK government I am moving abroad?
There is no single form for everyone, but you should tell HMRC, usually with form P85, as well as the Department for Work and Pensions if you claim benefits or a pension. You should also update your bank, your pension providers and your local council. Our leaving the UK checklist covers the full list.
Related Topics
- Leaving the UK checklist
- What documents do I need to move abroad?
- Best countries to move to from the UK
- How to plan an international move
One less thing to work out
We cannot tell you what to do about your pension, but we can take the move itself off your list. Your dedicated move manager will plan your dates, your paperwork and your delivery, and tell you early what you will need to carry with you.
