UK voluntary National Insurance from abroad: what to buy, and what it’s worth

What changed on 6 April 2026

• Class 2 is gone for time abroad from 2026–27. It was the cheap route (£3.65 a week); from 2026–27 only Class 3 (£18.40 a week) is available for time abroad. Years up to 2025–26 can still be paid at Class 2 if you qualify.
• The test for new Class 3 applicants is now 10 years of UK residence in a row or of qualifying contributions, instead of 3.
• Existing payers are protected if they applied before 6 April 2026, pay what they applied for by 5 April 2027 and apply for 2026–27 Class 3 by 5 April 2027. Miss that and the 10-year test applies.
• Deadlines roll every 5 April. 2020–21 can only be paid until 5 April 2027.

How to do it, step by step

• Check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast on GOV.UK (or ask the International Pension Centre if you are within 6 months of State Pension age).
• Apply to pay voluntary contributions for time abroad (form CF83, or online where offered), listing the years you want.
• Wait for HMRC’s letter with the amount and payment reference before paying anything.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still pay Class 2 National Insurance 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 Class 2 is not available for time abroad. Class 2 is £3.65 a week in 2026–27 (about £190 a year), against £18.40 a week for Class 3 (about £957 a year).

Who can pay voluntary Class 3 contributions for time abroad?
For 2025–26 and earlier: anyone who lived in the UK for 3 years in a row or paid 3 years of UK contributions. From 2026–27: you need 10 years in a row living in the UK or 10 years of qualifying contributions, unless you applied for 2024–25 or 2025–26 on or before 5 April 2026, pay those by 5 April 2027 and apply for 2026–27 Class 3 by 5 April 2027.

How far back can I pay?
Six years. The deadline for each tax year is 5 April seven years after it starts: 2020–21 must be paid by 5 April 2027, and 2025–26 by 5 April 2032.

Is it worth it?
Usually, yes, if you will have fewer than 35 qualifying years: each year adds about 1/35 of the full new State Pension (£241.30 a week in 2026–27), roughly £359 a year for life. A Class 3 year pays for itself in under three years of pension, a Class 2 year in about six months. It adds nothing once you have 35 years, and people with a pre-2016 record should check their forecast first.

How do I apply?
Check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast on GOV.UK first, 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 your payment reference.

Related

• UK State Pension from Ireland and abroad: the 2026 rules explained
• UK State Pension guide · Irish State Pension guide (UK years can also count towards it)
• State pensions by country