UK Expats Abroad Can Still Claim £300 Winter Fuel Payment In 2025

Many older Britons depend on the Winter Fuel Payment every year to help with the rising cost of heating during the cold months.

What some people don’t realize is that even if they have moved abroad, they may still be eligible to receive this benefit. The UK government allows certain pensioners living overseas to get this support, but only under specific conditions.

What Is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment from the UK government meant to help older people manage their heating bills during winter. The amount can range between £100 and £300, depending on your age and personal situation.

For the 2025/26 winter season, you qualify if you were born on or before 22 September 1959. Payments are usually made automatically if you already receive the State Pension or certain benefits.

Most people get their money in November or December, and all payments are expected to arrive by the end of January 2026.

If you think you qualify but haven’t received it, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to check your eligibility.

Here is a simple table showing the average payment amounts:

Age Group	Average Payment Amount
66 to 79 years old	£200
80 years and above	£300

Eligibility Rules for UK Residents

To qualify in the UK, you must:

• Be born on or before 22 September 1959.
• Live in the UK during the qualifying week in September.
• Receive the State Pension or another qualifying benefit.

If your household income is above £35,000, you may still get the payment, but you might have to repay it later through the tax system.

Who Can Get the Payment While Living Abroad?

If you are a UK pensioner living overseas, you could still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, but only under strict conditions. You must:

1. Live in a country that is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
2. Have moved there before 31 December 2020, meaning you are covered under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
3. Be born on or before 22 September 1959.
4. Have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK, such as having lived or worked there, paid National Insurance, or still having close family in Britain.
5. Receive a UK State Pension or an equivalent benefit such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit during the qualifying week.

In 2023/24, around 34,300 overseas pensioners received the payment out of 11.6 million total recipients. This shows that only a small percentage of pensioners abroad qualify under these rules.

Countries Where You Can Claim the Winter Fuel Payment

If you meet all the above conditions, you can claim the Winter Fuel Payment while living in any of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

You must have moved to one of these countries before the end of 2020 to remain eligible.

Key Points to Remember

• Most people in the UK receive the payment automatically if they qualify.
• UK pensioners abroad must apply separately and meet all specific criteria.
• The payment is tax-free, but high-income pensioners may need to repay it.
• Moving to a warmer or non-eligible country will end your entitlement.

The Winter Fuel Payment 2025 remains a vital support for millions of older people across the UK. While pensioners abroad can still benefit, they must meet very strict eligibility conditions.

If you are a UK pensioner living in an eligible European country and have maintained a strong connection to the UK, you may receive up to £300 to help with your winter heating costs. Always check that your details and circumstances match the official requirements to avoid missing out on this important benefit.

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