Britons in UAE Face £1,000 UK Pension Top-Up: What Expats Need to Know

Britons living in the UAE could soon pay over five times more each year to top up their UK state pension.
In this video, we explain the new UK budget rules that will see voluntary National Insurance contributions for many expats jump from around £182 a year to about £1,000 from 6 April 2026, and what that means if you are planning to retire on a UK state pension while living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the Emirates.
You will learn:
How Rachel Reeves’ latest budget changes affect Britons who move abroad and want to protect their UK state pension entitlement.
The difference between Class 2 and Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions, and why some expats will be pushed onto the higher Class 3 rate.
Why the government is tightening the rules for people who only lived or worked in the UK for a short period before leaving.
What happens if you already have at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance before leaving the UK, and who can still benefit from the cheaper rate.
How the 35-year contribution rule for a full new UK state pension works, and what British expats in the UAE should consider when deciding whether to keep paying into the system.
Other key tax changes in the budget, including the new mansion tax on £2m+ properties and higher taxes on dividends, property and savings, and how these might influence decisions to remain in the UK or relocate.
This video is for information only and does not provide personalised financial advice. Always speak to a regulated financial adviser before making decisions about pensions or tax.
Keywords: UK state pension abroad, British expats in UAE, National Insurance contributions from overseas, Class 2 vs Class 3 NI, Rachel Reeves budget changes, £1,000 pension top up, moving from UK to Dubai, retiring in the UAE on a UK pension, UK mansion tax, UK tax changes for high earners.