Free Guide  ·  2026/27 Rates  ·  September 2026

Claiming Attendance Allowance as a UK Expat: The Complete Guide

If you're a British national who moved to Spain, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta or another EU country before Brexit, you could be entitled to a UK benefit worth up to £5,959 a year — tax-free, non-means-tested, and often missed entirely. Here's everything you need to know, and a free downloadable guide to keep for reference.

Why this benefit gets missed

Attendance Allowance is one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK system. It doesn't appear on most people's radar because it isn't advertised, it isn't means-tested, and — crucially — many British expats simply assume that moving abroad ended their entitlement to any UK benefit. For Attendance Allowance, that assumption is usually wrong.

The legal basis — the Withdrawal Agreement

Under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, British nationals who had already established residency in an EU or EEA country before the end of the Brexit transition period retain the right to claim certain UK benefits — including Attendance Allowance — even while living abroad.

How much is it worth?

Attendance Allowance is paid at one of two weekly rates, depending on how much help you need:

It's paid tax-free, it doesn't reduce your State Pension, and your savings, income or property make no difference to your entitlement.

Do you qualify?

• Aged 65 or over
• Established EU/EEA residency before 31 December 2020
• Previously lived or worked in the UK at some point — no minimum National Insurance record is required, as Attendance Allowance is non-contributory
• A physical or mental health condition that affects your daily life
• Need help or supervision with daily living for 6 months or more

How the claims process actually works

There's a lot of outdated information online about claiming UK benefits from abroad — including references to forms and signatures that are no longer part of the process. Here's how it genuinely works:

• A short, free call or message to confirm you meet the basic criteria — no cost, no obligation
• No paperwork to sign — everything is agreed verbally on a recorded call, with no Letter of Authority or power of attorney required
• Your application is completed and submitted directly through the DWP's online Attendance Allowance service
• Regular follow-up with the DWP until a decision is made — most claims take 8–12 weeks

We work on a No Win, No Fee basis throughout — there's nothing to pay upfront, and nothing at all if a claim isn't successful.