Living in Chad
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Chad, including guidance on residency, healthcare, security and education.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Chad. Read about how our embassy in Chad can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Chadian 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 Chad on Twitter.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Chad for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Chad in our travel advice.
British nationals need a visa to visit Chad. To apply for a visa contact the Chadian Embassy in Belgium at 52 Boulevard Lambermont, 1030, Brussels. Telephone: +32 2 215 1975 Fax: +32 2 216 3526
Alternatively, you can contact the Chadian Embassy in France at 65 rue des Belles Feuilles, 75116, Paris Telephone: +33 (0)1 45 53 36 75 Fax: +33 (0)1 45 53 16 09
If your visa is valid for longer than a short visit period, on arrival in Chad, the immigration officer will ask you to register at the Commissariat Central (police headquarters) on Avenue General Kerim Nassour (formerly Boulevard de Strasbourg) within 3 days. You will need to provide a passport photograph.
To obtain a residency permit, you may contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chad or Chadian immigration for more details.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Chad.
Check the Chad travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Chad
There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement in Chad.
You cannot register for healthcare as a resident in Chad. However, you can subscribe to private clinics.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Chad.
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 Chad. Certain medicines may not be available in Chad (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 Chad to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines.
Working in Chad
If you are planning to move to Chad and work, you may need a visa. Your employer must explain how to get a visa and also take the necessary steps to obtain the visa from the National Office for the Promotion of Employment.
Studying in Chad
If you plan to study in Chad, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Visas are issued on arrival, and schools do not request to see a visa before registering a student. For visa applications, it is necessary to contact the Chadian embassies in France or Belgium. There is no electronic link to apply for the visa.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Chad to check what fees you have to pay. Unfortunately, you will need to obtain all information in-person as information is not readily available online.
Tax
The UK does not have a double taxation agreement with Chad. You may contact the Ministry of Finance about what tax arrangements are in place for you in Chad.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Chad. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Chad.
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.
In Chad, you can contact The Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale du Tchad (CNPS) for more details.
If you retire in Chad, 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
In Chad, everything is paid for in cash. There are very few places where credit cards are used. Some hotels accept credit cards, however the network is usually very unstable. Therefore, it is generally necessary to have cash to operate on a day-to-day basis.
Accommodation and buying property
In general, real estate owners require payment guarantees for transactions, otherwise, payments on the spot are accepted, as the market is generally informal.
Driving in Chad
Read the guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in Chad.
Read the guidance on driving abroad.
If you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office.
See also Guidance for travelling by road in Chad.
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK.
Voting
You must be Chadian by either birth or naturalization to be eligible to vote.
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 Chad 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 Chad read our guidance on:
What to do if someone dies abroad.
Chad is a Muslim-majority country. Thus, deaths are quickly recorded at the hospital and the burial is done the same day (less than 24 hours).
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Emergencies
Dial the Chadian emergency number: 2121 for the police, +235 225 177 28 for ambulance and +235 225 21 211 for the fire brigade.
Contact the police to report a missing child.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Chad, read the Chad: information for survivors of rape and sexual assault - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
A list of lawyers can be obtained in police stations and at the council of the Bar Association of Chad, as well as in law firms. It is very unlikely you will find information online, so it is best to consult in person.
If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Chad.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk .
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.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British citizens wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.