Advice for British people living in Ethiopia, including information on health, education, finance, moving to the UK and more. Published 26 May 2020 From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Contents
- Introduction
- Coronavirus
- Health
- Education
- Entry and residence requirements
- Benefits
- Driving licences and vehicles
- Finance
- Social ethics and traditions
- Moving to the UK
- Disclaimer
Introduction
This guide sets out essential information for British nationals residing in Ethiopia, including advice on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more. We are unable to provide any guidance on general lifestyle enquiries apart from the information and links listed below. See Our Services for more details of what the embassy can and cannot do to help.
Our publication Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out the steps that British nationals can take to stay safe abroad, and provides details on what help the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) can provide if you do get into difficulty.
You should make a note of the contact details of the British Embassy Addis Ababa, in case you or a British national you know require consular assistance while in Ethiopia.
Stay up to date
You should:
- read our Travel advice for Ethiopia and sign up for email alerts
- follow the British Embassy in Ethiopia on Facebook and Twitter
- see Notarial and Documentary Services available at the embassy
Coronavirus
Cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian authorities have introduced a number of measures to limit the spread of the virus, including declaring a State of Emergency on 8 April 2020. You should follow the advice of the Ethiopian Government and your local authority. See our Travel Advice – Coronavirus page for details of the measures.
Useful links during the coronavirus pandemic include:
- The Prime Minister’s Office (website, Facebook and Twitter)
- The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (website and Twitter)
- Minister of Health (Twitter)
- Official Government of Ethiopia Covid-19 (website)
- Ethiopian Airlines (website)
Residence and Work Permits
The main Immigration Office (near Black Lion Hospital/Main Post Office) remains open and is providing the following limited services:
- Exit visas
- Collection of yellow cards (residence ID for those who were born in Ethiopia) where payment has already been taken
- Applications to obtain or renew an Ethiopian passport for urgent medical or essential government work only
- Advice for permit holders – see below
- Advice for illegal entrants
The office is currently closed for all other services. You should wear a face mask and gloves when attending the office.
For residence permits:
- Permits that have expired since the office closed will be honoured in country until they can be renewed. These can be renewed when the office reopens with no overstay fee or fine.
- Permits that expired before the office closed will be honoured until they can be renewed, but will be liable for an overstay fee or fine. You should contact the main immigration office to discuss your case.
- If you wish to leave the country before you have renewed your residence permit, you will need to visit the Main Immigration Office to arrange renewal or extension. If you leave the country without seeing the immigration office first, you will need to re-apply for your permit when you next return to Ethiopia.
For work permits:
- The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs office is currently closed. Please see the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs website for further details.
- Please refer to the Main Immigration Office if you are concerned about your right to remain in Ethiopia.
Health
See our Travel Advice – Health page for detailed advice on medical services, vaccinations and health risks in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the United Kingdom. You are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel/medical insurance before travelling to Ethiopia. Medical standards differ from the United Kingdom and you will be required to pay for any medical treatment that you receive. There are private medical facilities but these may be expensive. Local government general hospitals may be crowded and shortages in medical material may hinder medical practice. For further information please visit the Ethiopian Ministry of Health website.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any form of medication you should ensure you have a supply of it available, or are able to obtain it once in Ethiopia. Certain medicines may not be available in Ethiopia (including major brands readily available in the UK), and may be prohibited from entering the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Ethiopia to learn of any alternatives which may be available.
Health insurance
If you are resident in Ethiopia ensure you have taken out an appropriate health insurance policy. If you are a visitor, arrange comprehensive travel insurance before you travel. Make sure your policy covers the following:
- an air ambulance, in case you need to be flown home by this means
- full medical cover (medical bills can be expensive)
- repatriation of your remains in the event of death
- repatriation of your family in the event it is necessary for you to return home due to illness or injury
Medical emergencies
If you need emergency medical assistance whilst in Ethiopia, dial 120 and ask for an ambulance. Ambulances can be very slow to arrive and may not have trained responders. 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.
Education
Most schools in Ethiopia do not follow a British curriculum. Education is provided by the State as well as the private sector, including a number of international schools. The standard of education in the both government owned and private schools is variable.
Further information can be found at the Ethiopian Ministry of Education website.
Entry and residence requirements
There are currently changes to entry and residence requirements. See our Travel Advice – Coronavirus page and the Coronavirus section of this guide.
You will require a visa to enter Ethiopia. You can find information on visas at the Ethiopian E-Visa website.
Further information can be found at the FDRE Immigration, Nationality and Vital Events Agency website and on their Facebook page(in Amharic).
Benefits
See the information on UK benefits if you are abroad and advice on retiring abroad.
Driving licences and vehicles
Foreign nationals are allowed in Ethiopia using their foreign licences for two weeks. During this time they are expected to apply for an Ethiopian driver’s licence. You should contact the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport.
You may need to present legalised documents with your application. Follow the procedure for legalisation of UK documents in our notarial and documentary services guide for Ethiopia.
You can also read our guidance on:
- what you need to drive abroad
- road travel in Ethiopia
Finance
For information on banking, insurance and other financial information, see the National Bank of Ethiopia.
Information on taxation can be found through the Ethiopian Ministry of Revenues.
There are many banks in Ethiopia – government and private owned. The requirements for opening an account do vary. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants in Ethiopia.
Money transfer
Transferring money into Ethiopia is possible through all banks and money transferring companies such as Western Union. Transferring money out of Ethiopia is not possible via money transfer agents; refer to the National bank of Ethiopia for further advice.
Social ethics and traditions
Conservative attitudes exist in Ethiopia and homosexuality is illegal. Female Genital Mutilation may be practiced in many parts of Ethiopia.
If you are concerned that you or someone you know is at risk, contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the British Embassy Addis Ababa.
Moving to the UK
British citizens
All those with a valid British citizen passport are free to enter the UK and remain for as long as they wish.
Non-British dependants
If you are British, have entitlement to Right of Abode or if you qualify for a UK ancestry visa, and have a non-British spouse, partner, or any children, under the age of 18, who wish to accompany you, these may qualify for entry into the UK as your dependants. Information and advice should be obtained from UK Visas and Immigration.
You can check the opening times, address and contact details for the UK visa application centre in Addis Ababa online. Any children you have over the age of 18 will need to qualify for entry in their own right, except in very exceptional circumstances.
The Habitual Residency Test
British citizens are entitled to live and work in the UK. They should, however, be aware that if they are coming to the UK after a long period overseas they are unlikely to be automatically entitled to state benefits, a state retirement pension or assistance with higher education fees.
To be eligible for any of the above, a British citizen must meet certain residence requirements in order to satisfy the Habitual Residency Test and/or to have made the appropriate National Insurance contributions.
The term “habitual residence” is not defined in UK social security legislation. This means each case is treated on its merits, in the light of the claimant’s individual circumstances. In considering whether a person is habitually resident, decision-makers will consider a wide variety of factors. These include the reasons for coming to the UK; the length of stay; any previous links with the country; the length and general nature of residence in another country; and the claimant’s future intentions once in the UK.
A person with no previous links to the UK or who has been resident outside of the UK for a considerable period of time will need to prove an appreciable period of actual residence, together with a settled intention to settle in the UK. What constitutes an “appreciable period” will depend on the facts of each individual case. In order to satisfy the habitual residence test a person must also show that they have a right to reside in the UK.
If a British citizen wishes to move to the UK for the first time, they should make prior arrangements for accommodation before arrival and bring sufficient funds to support themselves until they have found employment.
British citizens should bring with them evidence of any previous employment and educational qualifications.
The Habitual Residency Test is a notoriously opaque piece of legislation. It has been challenged many times resulting in a variety of case law that may affect your entitlement.
Further information on the Habitual Residency Test can be found on the websites of the Turn2us charity, the Department of Work and Pensions and the UK Parliament website.
Housing
The most readily available housing in the UK is found in the private sector where housing can be bought, leased or rented. Private sector housing can be sought through estate agents in the area in which you wish to live.
Local authorities in the UK have a duty to ensure that housing advice is available free of charge to everyone in their area and some will also be able to provide details of accredited private landlords in their area.
Public sector housing (social housing) is in high demand across the UK and it is mainly provided by local housing authorities and housing associations.
Applications for social housing should be directed to the housing authority in the area where you wish to live although some housing associations will accept direct applications.
See the information on how to apply for council housing and consult the directory of housing associations in the UK.
Returning British citizens should be aware that in many areas, and particularly in London, the South East of England and other major conurbations, waiting lists for social housing are long, and priority for lettings goes to those who are in greatest housing need.
Independent agencies such as Citizens Advice and the charity Shelter, can also provide housing information and advice.
Employment
Those who intend to work in the UK should make arrangements to secure employment before leaving for the UK. Those who cannot do so should visit a Jobcentre Plus office in their local area or a private employment agency as soon as possible after their arrival in the UK or consider responding to advertisements in the media for jobs appropriate to their qualifications. The address and telephone number of local Jobcentre Plus offices can be found in local telephone directories or via the Department for Work and Pensions website.
Health
Residents of the United Kingdom are entitled to register with a local NHS general practitioner (doctor/GP), and must do so before they can qualify for any free medical treatment, other than emergency treatment. British citizens from overseas who settle in the UK are considered “ordinarily resident” for this purpose and can register by contacting a GPs surgery in their local area. GPs are listed in local telephone directories.
Some GPs may not be able to accept new patients, as their lists may be full. A list of local NHS GPs and further information on the NHS can be obtained via the NHS website.
People who are returning to the UK to take up permanent residence will be automatically entitled to hospital treatment free of charge. If a person is not returning on a permanent basis the cost of hospital treatment can be determined by the hospital in accordance with the relevant regulations and patients may be charged. This may be regardless of whether or not a GP has accepted the person as a NHS patient. More information is available on the Department of Health website.
See also the information on entitlement to NHS treatment for those returning the UK.
Dentists
British citizens are entitled to register with a local NHS Dentist. Dental treatment is only given free to a limited range of people, such as children under 18, pregnant mothers and those in receipt of certain state benefits. For people who work, standard NHS charges are applicable. For a list of local NHS Dentists and for further information visit the NHS website.
Education
State education is free in the UK for British citizens between the ages of 5 and 16/18. To qualify for home tuition fees for a higher education course, a British citizen must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before the course starts. For further information, and a list of local state schools, contact your local education authority (the telephone number can be found in the local telephone directory) or visit the Department for Education website. You may also want to see the information from the Independent Schools Council.
State benefits and assistance
The most current information about benefits for those people returning to live in the UK from abroad can be found on the Department of Work and Pensions website.
Citizen Advice Bureau
Offices of the Citizen Advice Bureau can be found throughout the UK. They give free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a wide range of subjects, including state benefits, housing, legal matters and employment. The address and telephone number of your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) will be in the local telephone directory or on the CAB website.
Alternatively details can be obtained in writing from:
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau
Myddleton House
115-123 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9LZ
Telephone 020 7833 2181.
UK Airport Travel Care Organisations
Additional passenger assistance services for returning British nationals may be available at the following airports:
- Travel care at Heathrow Airport
- Passenger services at Gatwick Airport
- The Chaplaincy at Manchester Airport
No financial or accommodation support is available through these 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 FCO and the British embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.