Getting help with living in Chile
Help from the Chilean government
For any questions about moving to or living in Chile, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Santiago cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Chile.
Professional help in Chile
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Chile, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Chile to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Chile. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Chile before you travel.
Visas and residence permits
Check which visa or residence permit you need to live in Chile. The Chilean National Migration Service (SERMIG) explains the different options available to you.
You can get a visa or residence permit to:
- work
- study
- retire
- live with family in Chile
- invest or do business in Chile
If you want to extend your visa or residence permit, read guidance on:
You can also contact your local office of the Chilean National Migration Service (SERMIG).
RUN and RUT
RUN (‘Rol Único Nacional’) is a national identity number used for many essential procedures. RUT (‘Rol Único Tributario’) is a taxpayer number. In Chile, both numbers are the same, but they are used for different purposes depending on the context.
Foreign nationals must get their RUN through the Civil Registry (‘Registro Civil’). The Civil Registry provides information about identity cards (in Spanish). Read the section ‘Identity card for foreigners’ (‘Cédula Nacional para Extranjeros’).
Permanent residency
You may be able to apply for permanent residency (‘residencia definitiva’) in Chile. You will need to have lived there for at least 12 months on a ‘residencia temporal’ residence permit.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply:
Citizenship
Chile recognises dual citizenship. This means that you do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Chilean citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Chilean citizenship:
Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Santiago cannot help with Chilean visa, residency or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
Passports and travel
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian
Read the Chilean government’s guidance on minors entering and leaving Chile (in Spanish) for information on authorisation for resident children travelling without a parent or legal guardian.
Contact the Chilean Consulate in London (in English and Spanish) for more information.
Healthcare in Chile
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Chile does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Chilean or international providers.
If you work in Chile, you will need to choose between:
You must do this even if you already have international health insurance.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
Working in Chile
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Chile, you need a residence permit.
The Chilean National Migration Service (SERMIG) explains the different residence permits available to you.
Read SERMIG’s guidance on:
You can also read the Chilean Labour Directorate’s guidance for foreign workers in Chile.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide an apostilled police records certificate. This is called a ‘certificado de antecedentes penales’ in Chile. For more information, read about police records and legalising UK documents in our guidance on documents for British people abroad.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Chile, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
For more information:
Driving in Chile
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
If you’re resident in Chile, you must apply for a Chilean driving licence (in Spanish). You’ll need to pass theory, practical, psychometric and medical tests.
You’ll also need to show proof of completion of education (in Spanish). If you don’t have documents to prove you completed your education, you may need to take an exam. You can read further information from the Ministry of Transport (in Spanish) on getting a Chilean driving licence.
When you get or renew your Chilean driving licence, the Chilean authorities may issue you with a new digital driving licence (in Spanish).
For more information:
Disabled drivers
You may be able to register on the Chilean National Disability Register. Once registered, you will get a disability credential which states:
- the characteristics of your disability
- whether you have reduced mobility
This allows you to access different benefits, including disabled parking spaces.
Read the Chilean government’s guidance on:
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Chile, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Chile so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Chilean Internal Revenue Service (SII) (in Spanish) for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Chile. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Chile.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming a Chilean pension
Contact the Chilean Pension Authority (‘Superintendencia de Pensiones’) to find out whether you can claim a pension in Chile.
You can also read the Chilean government’s guidance on retirement in Chile (in Spanish).
Chile and the UK do not have a bilateral agreement on pension funds. You may be able to withdraw pension fund contributions at the end of your stay in Chile, as long as you do not have Chilean citizenship. However, this process can be complicated. Read the Chilean Pension Regulator’s guidance on applying for a pension abroad (in Spanish).
Check that your employment contract contains a clause or annex that 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:
- have a university degree or technical qualification which has been legalised in the UK
- have paid the necessary National Insurance contributions in the UK to cover you for illness, invalidity, pension and death benefit
It is generally very difficult for foreign nationals to withdraw funds successfully when they leave. Contact your Chilean Pension Fund (AFP) for guidance as soon as you start your job. They can help you to understand the documentation you will need to provide at the end of your time in Chile.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Chilean benefits
You may be entitled to some Chilean benefits if you work and pay social security contributions in Chile.
To find out if you’re eligible and how to claim:
Buying and renting property in Chile
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Contact an English-speaking lawyer in Chile if you’re considering buying property or land.
Voting in Chile
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Chilean elections
You may be eligible to vote in Chilean elections if you are resident in Chile. You can check if you’re eligible to vote using your RUN number (in Spanish).
For more information, read guidance from the Chilean Electoral Service (in Spanish).
Studying in Chile
If you plan to study in Chile, you must meet all visa and residence requirements before you travel.
Read guidance on:
For more information:
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Chilean Ministry of Education (in Spanish) provides information about the school system in Chile.
All children aged 6 to 18 must attend school or home school in Chile. To enrol your child in public school, you must apply for a place via the Chilean School Admissions System (in Spanish). There are also private, international and British schools. These are mostly located in Santiago, Viña del Mar, and Concepción.
For more information, read the Chilean government’s guidance on:
Childcare
The Undersecretary of Early Childhood Education (in Spanish) is responsible for early childhood education and care in Chile.
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Chile, register the birth with the Chilean authorities (in Spanish). You can apply for a Chilean birth certificate online (in Spanish) or at your nearest civil registry office (in Spanish).
The Chilean Civil Registry will register two surnames for a child. These are usually the mother’s and the father’s. If you only give them one, they will often use it twice, e.g. Jack Jones Jones. You can choose the order of the surnames. The Chilean government provides more information on registering a child’s name (in Spanish).
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Chile, read guidance on:
Marriages and civil partnerships
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You can also read the Chilean government’s guidance on reserving an appointment to register a civil or religious marriage (in Spanish).
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Chile. The Chilean government also offers guidance on accessing free legal advice for divorce proceedings (in Spanish).
Documents for British people in Chile
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Chile, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with you to Chile, read guidance on:
Returning to the UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Chilean authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
