Later Life · UK, from Ireland and abroad

UK State Pension from Ireland and Abroad (2026): Voluntary Class 2 and Class 3 After the April Change

If you worked in the UK and now live in Ireland or anywhere else, you can usually fill gaps in your UK National Insurance record and raise your UK State Pension. Each year you add is worth about £6.89 a week, roughly £359 a year for life, and has often cost a few hundred pounds. On 6 April 2026 the rules for people abroad changed, and two deadlines now fall on 5 April 2027.

Work out your own years with the voluntary NI from abroad calculator: which years you can still buy, at which class, what each costs, its deadline and what it adds to your pension.

What changed on 6 April 2026

• Class 2 ended for time abroad from 2026–27. It was the cheap route. Years up to 2025–26 can still be paid at Class 2 if you worked in the UK immediately before leaving and worked while abroad.
• New Class 3 applicants now need 10 years of UK residence in a row, or 10 years of qualifying contributions, instead of 3.
• Existing payers are protected if they applied for 2024–25 or 2025–26 on or before 5 April 2026, pay those years by 5 April 2027 and apply for 2026–27 Class 3 by 5 April 2027.
• Earlier years are not affected: you can still pay for gaps before 2026–27 under the old 3-year test, inside the 6-year window.

What each year costs, and the deadline

Paying in the 2026–27 tax year. Class 2 for the previous year and Class 3 for the previous two years are charged at the original rate; older years at today’s rate.

Is it worth it? Worked examples

Computed by our calculator’s tested code, for someone with 20 qualifying years who lived in the UK for 12 years:

• Three Class 3 years (2023–24 to 2025–26): £2,787 in contributions adds £1,075 a year of pension, paid back in about 2.6 years.
• The same three years at Class 2 (worked before leaving and abroad): £562, the same £1,075 a year, paid back in about 0.5 years.
• Someone with only 8 qualifying years who buys two: they reach the 10-year minimum, so the whole pension unlocks, £3,585 a year from nothing.
• A new applicant with 5 UK years wanting 2026–27: not possible: from 2026–27 new applicants need 10 years of UK residence or contributions. Years up to 2025–26 can still be bought under the 3-year test.

It adds nothing once you have 35 qualifying years. People who built up a record before 2016 may have a different starting amount, so check your GOV.UK forecast before paying: it shows exactly which years would raise your pension.

How to do it, step by step

1. Check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast on GOV.UK. They show your qualifying years, your gaps, and whether filling each one raises your pension.
2. If you are within 6 months of State Pension age, or over it, ask the International Pension Centre for advice first.
3. Apply to pay voluntary contributions for time abroad (form CF83, or online where offered), listing the years you want.
4. Wait for HMRC’s letter with the amount and a payment reference before paying anything.
5. Pay before each year’s 5 April deadline, oldest first.

Getting the pension while living abroad

The UK State Pension can be paid to you anywhere, but the yearly increase is paid only if you live in the European Economic Area (which includes Ireland), Switzerland or a country with an agreement that provides it. It is taxable income where you live, so check how your country taxes it. UK years can also help you qualify for an Irish State Pension under the social security agreement between the two countries; see our Irish State Pension guide.

Related

• Voluntary NI from abroad calculator
• UK State Pension guide
• Irish State Pension guide and State pensions by country

Sources

• GOV.UK: Voluntary National Insurance (who can pay from abroad, the 6 April 2026 change, rates, original-rate window, 6-year deadline)
• HMRC policy paper: voluntary NI for periods abroad from 6 April 2026
• GOV.UK: National Insurance rates and allowances
• GOV.UK: The new State Pension, what you’ll get (£241.30 a week, 35 years)
• GOV.UK: State Pension annual increases if you live abroad

Rules and rates read on the linked GOV.UK pages on 3 November 2026. General information, not financial advice: HMRC decides what you can pay and the Department for Work and Pensions what you get.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still pay voluntary National Insurance if I live in Ireland?
Yes, if you meet the conditions. For tax years up to 2025–26 you need 3 years in a row living in the UK or 3 years of UK contributions. From 2026–27 you need 10 years of either, unless you applied for 2024–25 or 2025–26 on or before 5 April 2026 and apply for 2026–27 Class 3 by 5 April 2027.

Is Class 2 still available from abroad?
Only for tax years up to 2025–26, and only if you worked in the UK immediately before leaving and worked while abroad. From 2026–27 only Class 3 is available for time abroad: £18.40 a week against £3.65 for Class 2.

How much does one year add to my UK State Pension?
About £6.89 a week (1/35 of the full new State Pension of £241.30), roughly £359 a year for life, as long as you have fewer than 35 qualifying years and at least 10 in total.

What is the deadline to buy back missing years?
Six years. Each tax year must be paid by 5 April seven years after it starts, so 2020–21 must be paid by 5 April 2027 and 2025–26 by 5 April 2032.

Will my UK State Pension go up each year if I live in Ireland?
UK State Pension is paid worldwide, but the yearly increase is paid only if you live in the European Economic Area (which includes Ireland), Switzerland, or a country with an agreement that provides it.

How do I apply?
Check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast on GOV.UK, then apply to pay voluntary contributions for time abroad (form CF83, or online where offered). Do not pay until HMRC writes with the amount and a payment reference.