Living in Kenya
Advice for British people living in Kenya, including information on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Kenya, including guidance on entry requirements, residency and healthcare.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Kenya. Read about how the British High Commission Nairobi can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Kenyan authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad
To stay up to date: follow the British High Commission Nairobi on Facebook and Twitter
Before you go
See our travel advice for Kenya for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Kenya in our travel advice.
British nationals require a visa to enter Kenya. You must obtain your visa before departure. You can apply for single entry visas on the e-visas website.
For information on residence requirements contact the Kenyan Directorate of Immigration Services and the Kenyan High Commission in London.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Kenya.
Check the Kenya travel advice for passport validity requirements.
You should be aware that renewing your British passport from Kenya can be a lengthy process. You can check current processing times for first applications and renewals online.
Healthcare in Kenya
See information on health in Kenya. Also see the FCDO’s list of medical facilities in Kenya.
Most expats in Kenya prefer to use private healthcare facilities, which are generally considered to offer a higher standard of medical care. If you plan to use private healthcare facilities in Kenya, you should ensure that you have appropriate medical insurance. Accessing treatment in a private medical facility without adequate insurance can be prohibitively expensive. Private health insurance may be provided by your employer in Kenya. If not, you should arrange comprehensive health insurance before you arrive.
A number of insurance companies provide private health insurance cover while the National Hospital Insurance Fund provides public health insurance.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Kenya. Certain medicines may not be available in Kenya (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Kenya to find out about any alternative medication.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Medical emergencies
If you need emergency medical assistance whilst in Kenya, dial 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance. Ambulances can be very slow to arrive. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company as soon as possible to inform them of what has happened. Hospitals may seek immediate payment by cash or card before treatment is given.
A number of private ambulance options are available from the medical facilities in Kenya. Other private ambulance providers include:
Other health risks
Malaria is common in some parts of Kenya, if you’re travelling to malaria areas, take steps to avoid mosquito bites. For the latest updates and advice, visit the NaTHNaC website.
Water-borne diseases occur in Kenya. Drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.
Working in Kenya
All non-Kenyan citizens require a permit to work in Kenya, including for voluntary work.
The British High Commission cannot facilitate work permits. If you are planning to move to Kenya and work, read the Kenya government’s guidance on work permits in Kenya as a foreign national and how to get a visa.
Studying in Kenya
If you plan to study in Kenya, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Kenya to check what fees you have to pay.
Other useful links include:
- the Ministry Of Education
- the Commission for University Education (CUE)
- the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Tax
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Kenya. You can find an English-speaking lawyer in Kenya and more information on the Kenya Revenue Authority’s website.
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Pensions
Read the State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Kenya, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
There are many international banks and investment companies operating in Kenya, some of which are UK affiliated. Most banks offer local and foreign currency accounts.
Card transactions are mainly used in malls, hotels and larger outlets but mobile money transactions are very common.
Requirements for opening a bank account in Kenya may include:
- ID or passport
- Minimum opening balance (which varies with different banks)
- Utility bill/ lease agreement (for purpose of verifying your physical address)
- Colour passport photograph
- Recommendation letter from an employer
Requirements for opening a mobile money account at a retailer outlet desk will include:
- Passport / Kenyan foreigner certificate
- Mobile phone with Kenyan SIM card
Money transfer
Transferring money into Kenya is possible through all banks and money transferring companies such as Western Union and Wise.
Accommodation and buying property
Foreigners can own property in Kenya but this is subject to certain legal restrictions. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Kenya for legal advice.
Driving in Kenya
You can drive in Kenya with a valid UK driving licence or on a valid International Driving Permit for up to 3 months. If you’re staying longer, you will need to get a Kenyan driving licence from the National Transport and Safety Authority, which also provides information about what to do when buying a car (including transferring ownership and registering your vehicle).
Kenya’s driving rules are similar to those in the UK; driving is on the left hand side of the road.
The speed limit is indicated in kilometres per hour.
Also see information on driving abroad.
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA).
See the FCDO’s guidance for travelling by road in Kenya
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking vehicles out of the UK.
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Kenya, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Kenya you should register the birth with the Kenyan authorities. You can then register the birth with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate if you want to. This is not a legal requirement.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
You should be aware that obtaining a first British passport for a child born in Kenya is a lengthy process. You can check current processing times online. You cannot usually get an Emergency Travel Document for a child if they have never had a British passport. Applications for British passports are processed by His Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK and not by the British High Commission in Kenya.
Deaths
If someone dies in Kenya read our guidance on:
What to do if someone dies abroad.
Bereavement guidance for Kenya.
English speaking funeral directors in Kenya.
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
See information from the Kenyan government on getting married in Kenya. Civil partnerships are not available in Kenya.
Emergencies
Dial 999 / 112 / 911 for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or to report a missing child in Kenya.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Kenya, read the guidance for victims of rape and sexual assault abroad. See also English-speaking lawyers in Kenya for legal advice.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British High Commission Nairobi.
You can also report serious crime to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on toll-free number 0800 722 203.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 2 August 2023 + show all updates
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Updated with extra details
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old content replaced with new and latest information
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First published.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Updated entry and residence requirements for British nationals in Kenya.