Moving to Timor-Leste from United Kingdom

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What to Expect

Considering a move from United Kingdom to Timor-Leste? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from United Kingdom to Timor-Leste, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese and Tetum.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Timor-Leste compared to United Kingdom.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

GB
1.0
TL
4.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GB
2.4
TL
12.0

United Kingdom performs better than Timor-Leste across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GB
$6,606
TL
$461
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GB
31.7
TL
7.7

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GB
13.0
TL
61.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GB
4.2t
TL
0.5t

United Kingdom generally does better on environment, though Timor-Leste leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GB
41.4
TL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GB
14.3%
TL
28.3%

United Kingdom performs better than Timor-Leste across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GB
4.1%
TL
1.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GB
$54,100
TL
$4,600

United Kingdom generally does better on employment & economy, though Timor-Leste leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GB
81.9 yrs
TL
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GB
3.8
TL
33.7

United Kingdom performs better than Timor-Leste across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United Kingdom and Timor-Leste. To live, work, or study long-term in Timor-Leste, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Timor-Leste's immigration authority.

United Kingdom passport

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
United Kingdom passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting United Kingdom

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Timor-Leste passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to United Kingdom.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Timor-Leste?

Connectivity is usually fine (Timor-Leste: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Timor-Leste offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Timor-Leste safe for expats?

United Kingdom performs better than Timor-Leste across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Timor-Leste is 4.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.0 in United Kingdom.

How is healthcare in Timor-Leste compared to United Kingdom?

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 7.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Timor-Leste, compared to 31.7 in United Kingdom. Timor-Leste scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United Kingdom: 88).

What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?

The official languages in Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In United Kingdom, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

GB TL
Population 67,791,400 1,445,006
Currency British Pound Sterling (£) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English Portuguese, Tetum
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +44 +670
Time zones 9 1
Emergency number 999