Living in Comoros
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Comoros, including guidance on visa, residency, healthcare, study and marriage
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Comoros. Read about how our British Embassy in Antananarivo can help:
Consular support is not available from the British government in Comoros. However, the British Embassy Antananarivo in Madagascar can provide consular support to British nationals.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Comorian 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 Embassy in Antananarivo on Facebook and Twitter.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Comoros for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Comoros in our travel advice.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Comoros overseas-passports.
Check the Comoros travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in COMOROS
There is no healthcare agreements between the UK and Comoros medical service providers.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Comoros. See our list of medical facilities.
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 Comoros. Certain medicines may not be available in Comoros, and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Comoros to find out about any alternative medication.
Check a list of pharmacies in Comoros.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Comoros
If you are planning to move to Comoros and work, you may need to contact the Ministry of youth, employment, labour, sports, arts and culture on +2693495200 or +2693471912.
Tax
The UK does not have a taxation agreement with Comoros. You should get professional advice on paying tax in Comoros. Find an [English-speaking lawyer in Comoros] (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers).
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 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 Comoros, 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
The Comoros Franc (KMF) is the local currency. EUR and USD are accepted and can be exchanged at local hotels, banks and airports. We would advise against exchanging currencies with black market traders (found at the airport or roaming the streets) as it is illegal.
Mobile phones can also be used to transfer and receive money, to purchase some goods and services, to pay certain bills as well as to top up mobile phone credits. You can open a special account with Telma Comores number Money sent will be received in the account instantly, even out after banking hours and also on bank holidays.
MoneyGram is also available in Comoros.
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Comoros
See 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 e.g. the DVLA.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you from the UK, see guidance on taking vehicles out of the UK.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
- check if you are able to vote
- register as an overseas voter
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Comoros, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Comoros read our guidance on:
- what to do if someone dies abroad
Cremation is not allowed in Comoros. If someone dies in Comoros, they are either buried locally or repatriated, for example, to the UK.
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You would need to go to the relevant Comorian authorities (Mayor) to register marriage. Homosexual marriage is prohibited in Comoros.
Emergencies
Dial the local number 117 for the police, a fire brigade 113/114, or dial 117 to report a missing child.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Comoros, call 1760 (Huri number), 1710 (Telma number) or +269 4352393 or +269 3323787 or go to the nearest Police station at the capital where you can get a full support.
See also the guidance on victim-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-abroad.
If you’ve been victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Antananarivo.
Read 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.