Have you been assigned overseas? Please read this important guidance.

Defence Children Services (DCS) currently advise that due to staffing capacity and demand that education supportability assessments can now take up to six months to complete.

Families are encouraged to start this process as soon as they receive their information from the Families Section.  You should not move forward with other aspects of an assignment, such as booking removals or removing children from school, until they have confirmation of education supportability.

Please see Assessment of Support Needs for more details.

1. Introduction

Are you considering or due to move overseas for an assignment?

Your future overseas admin unit/embassy are responsible for providing you with all overseas assignment information, such as housing, schooling and pertinent local information. This will normally be in the form of a pack or you are given a sponsor to liaise with.

2. Overseas Assignment Checklists and Top Tips

Download and view the resources listed below in PDF format:

Checklists

• Considering An Overseas Assignment
• Planning To Move Overseas
• Returning to the UK

Top Tips

• Bringing your Pets Overseas
• Removals, Storage and Packing
• Assigning from Overseas To Overseas

3. Accommodation

Information on Overseas housing should be made available on receipt of an Assignment Order.  For some Overseas Assignments Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) will assign suitable housing for you and your family once an MOD e1132 (application to occupy Service Family Accommodation) has been completed. For Defence Attache, Support Staff, Loan and Exchange Service the process will be different and information will be provided to you by the Global Defence Network team and/or your Career Manager. For the USA please click here:- Accommodation Policy – BDSUS Information Portal

• The Royal Navy has a Relocations Section who will be able to provide you with the Family Overseas Removals and Travel Pack. Relocations is only responsible for removals and travel to your destination. Email: NAVYNBCP-CoB-LogsRelocations@mod.gov.uk
• Joint Service Publication (JSP)

JSP464 – Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations Volume 1: Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Substitute Service Family Accommodation – UK and Overseas

Long Term Relationships (Established) – LTR(E) Overseas Pilot

• The ‘Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship (LTR(E)) Overseas Pilot’ will give Service personnel in an LTR(E) the opportunity to serve accompanied within The Falkland Islands, Cyprus Sovereign Base Areas (SBA), and now BATUS (Canada) and limited sites across the Global Defence Network (GDN) using Service Family Accommodation.
• LTR(E) Pilots at these locations will now run until 31^st March 2027.
• The pilot will provide a wrap-around package that includes accommodation, allowances, and welfare considerations, for the duration of the assignment. This will ensure that Service personnel and their families are supported when choosing to cohabit overseas.
• The Overseas accommodation policy Volume 5 of JSP 464 has been refreshed and updated, quite comprehensively to aid understanding of some of the more nuanced elements of overseas policy.

Small Stations

Following the phased reform of LOA that commenced in July 2021, the waiver of accommodation and utility charges former Small Station locations will be removed (wef: 01 August 2024): Further information here:

Accommodation and utility charges in Overseas Small Station locations (cloud.microsoft)

4. Assessment of support needs for overseas assignments

Please read here for information on assessment of support needs for overseas assignments.

Please note

Service Personnel should be advised that assessments of supportability for overseas assignments may take up to 6 months to complete. They should not progress with other aspects of their assignment, e.g. booking removals, withdrawing children from schools/specialist support, giving notice on spousal employment or even serving unaccompanied until the supportability process is complete.

Where additional Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) requirements or social care involvement have been identified, further information may be requested. This information is vital to help the MOD fully understand children’s needs before they move overseas. Failure to complete the relevant forms properly or provide all requested information in a timely manner may lead to further delays.

It is recognised that there will be exceptional cases and some short notice postings are unavoidable. However, any genuine short notice assignments will require confirmation and a formal request for prioritisation from the SP’s gaining Unit.

If complex cases emerge during the summer period when schools are closed, DCS will be unable to gather essential details and supportability assessment may have to be paused until the start of the new term. Local Command availability to convene multi-agency assessment (MASO) panels may also be affected during summer stand down periods.

MOD Policy is contained within the Assessment of Support Needs for Accompanied Assignments Overseas.

Where a child is potentially moving to an overseas area supported by an MOD provided DCS schools/settings, the schools/settings will support this process directly (please contact the appropriate DCS school/setting in the first instance).

Where a child is potentially moving to an overseas area not supported by an MOD provided DCS schools/settings, the OES team will continue to support this process directly (please contact RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk).

5. British Forces Post Office (BFPO)

Please see https://www.gov.uk/bfpo for up to date information and guidance.

BFPO Latest Christmas Posting Dates – 2025

MOD – Christmas Families Free Mail Service – 2025

Friends and family members of UK Service personnel based in The Falkland Islands, Ascension Islands and Diego Garcia will be able to access the MOD Christmas Families Free Mail Service at any UK Post Office/overseas Forces Post Office from 27 Oct – 24 Nov 25, after which the entitlement to a free small parcel service will cease.

BFPO numbers/locations which are additionally included within this welfare entitlement, are:

• BFPO 485 – Diego Garcia.
• BFPO 494 – Falkland Islands.
• BFPO 655 – Falkland Islands.
• BFPO 677 – Ascension Islands.
• BFPO 678 – Ascension Islands.

Customers can post MOD Christmas Families Free Mail Service items to the above BFPO numbers/locations, if they follow the below conditions:

• Free small parcels do not exceed 2 kg in weight.
• Free small parcels must have a fully completed customs declaration (CN22) and customers must tick the ‘gift’ declaration box on the CN22.
• Free small parcels don’t contain prohibited items (e.g. aerosols, shaving foam or alcohol).
• Free small parcels must be within size limits: Minimum one surface at least 90 mm x 140 mm. Maximum length + depth + width = 900 mm width greatest single dimension not more than 600 mm (e.g. an average medium shoe box size).
• Only relatives and friends within the UK or at BFPO overseas addresses can send free small parcels to named Service personnel and entitled MOD civilians.
• All free small parcels must be handed in to a UK Post Office/overseas Forces Post Office and customers are advised to keep their certificate of posting.

6. Certificate of Good Conduct / Police Certificate and Criminal Records Bureau Check

If you are still in country, please search here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to find out how to obtain a certificate/record whilst still in country.  Or Check with your local NSE or Admin Office.

If you are already back in the UK, you can get a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC), which is a police and criminal check for Service personnel or their entitled family members, where they are required by a new employer to cover a period spent abroad. The CGC or equivalent is required in addition to a DBS check. 

The certificates are issued by the Service Police Crime Bureau Vetting Officer. The process can take up to 40 days for you to receive your certificate from the application date.  

You will need to put your request in writing – email is fine – to SpecOpsRMP-SPCB-Vetting0Grp@mod.gov.uk, providing the following details: 

• Full name (including any previous names i.e maiden name, deed poll and dates) 
• Date and place of birth 
• Military Service Number if applicable 
• Current Address that will appear on the Police Certificate (please also provide a 5-year history) 
• Overseas Country and dates spent in that country 
• Valid Proof of ID (either photo page of passport or photo driving licence) This can be scanned or photo taken of the document and attached to email) 
• You should then receive a PDF Certificate of Good Conduct back via email.

7. Children/Education

Childcare Overseas

See Childcare Services for Serving Families | NFF  

Education Overseas

If you are offered an overseas assignment, you will have to look carefully into the overseas education available for your children. It is essential that your children are registered on JPA, and that you contact the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST) for advice. This is especially important if you have a child with an additional need or disability.

The type and quality of education available will differ from country to country and often from one part of a country to another. Remember that what is right for one child is not necessarily right for another. The age and ability of your child will have an effect on your decision. The opportunity for a child to be educated in a different system and different culture can be attractive, but you will have to weigh up carefully the advantages and disadvantages.

Age 18-24

Do you have child/children who are not in full education, employment and training? If yes then please look at the JSP 752 Chapter 2 Microsoft Word – 20240701-JSP 752 v59 Jul 24 regarding the regulations surrounding being out of full-time education for up to one year between further and higher education. Also for children age 18-21 and the need to submit a PACC.   

Please note for some they may not be able entitled to accompany you at Public Expense, or be entitled to Military Allowances and Local Support. Please link in with your future Overseas Command and your UPO/Admin Office (if submitting a PACC) at the earliest opportunity. 

8. Dental care: ISODET Locations

There is no Service provision for dental care by Defence Primary Healthcare (DPHC) (Dental) in ISODET locations, please refer to ‘ISODET Locations’ on our Dental Health page.

9. Employment

When considering an Overseas Assignment, do research and/or make an official in-country contact if this is going to be considered. Some things to look at are:

• Employment opportunities at location
• If you think that continuing to work for your current company is an option – have the conversation about the implications for you both
• Host Location requirements
• Tax Implications
• Dependency status (will working in country effect your dependency status – NATO Sofa, Diplomatic Status etc)
  • UK Defence in Germany and Europe: Information notes – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • SBAA (sbaadministration.org) – For Cyprus
  • Spousal Employment Opportunities – BDSUS Information Portal – For USA
• Contact HMRC for advice – consider getting an online HMRC/gateway tax account before leaving the country
• NON UK – If you are a Non UK Spouse then you may have further things to consider regarding the ability to work Overseas and how your status will be effected.
• How much notice will you have to give if leaving your role?
• Is a career break or sabbatical an option?
• If CPD is required for your trade/profession are you able to continue that Overseas?
• Childcare Options (if applicable) in country

Websites:

• Forces Families Jobs
• Business Start Ups – Forces Families Jobs
• Career advice – Forces Families Jobs
• Supporting military spouses | Forces Employment Charity
• Link in with NFF Employment Lead or Overseas Lead for up to date information.

When returning to the UK:

• Get Job ready (see websites above)
• Don’t Forget Certificate of Good Conduct (see above)
• National Insurance Contributions

10. Finance

Depending on your personal financial situation, you may find information within the following links useful when considering an overseas assignment.

• Top Tips
• Credits Union
• Insurances
• PCP/HP contracts – Car finance
• Global Health Insurance Card
• National Insurance Credits for Partners of Armed Forces Personnel Overseas
• Maternity – For more information on ex-gratia payments in lieu of Maternity Allowance, please click on this link Discover My Benefits – Royal Navy (mod.gov.uk)
• Universal Credits Universal Credit for armed forces personnel posted overseas – GOV.UK

11. Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

How do I apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) if I’m a member of the armed forces? · Customer Self-Service

12. Overseas Allowances

Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) – for information on LOA please click here: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/royal-navy/relocation/ and there is further information in the JSP 752 Chapter 9 Section 7. Microsoft Word – 20240701-JSP 752 v59 Jul 24 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

For Loan Service there will be an additional allowance Discover My Benefits – Royal Navy (mod.gov.uk) as laid down in the JSP 752 chapter 9 section 12 (link above).

For Defence Attaches, Advisers, Defence Staff and Defence Section Support staff see the JSP 752 Chapter 9 Section 9 (link above) about Cost of Living Allowance (The Hornby package).

**The service person should link into their current admin office to confirm all of the above.

13. Mobile Phones

These are links for mobile phone companies who have Armed Forces points of contacts:

1. Three: under the support element there is a phone number but also an opportunity to live chat if your circumstances change which includes Armed Forces Overseas.
2. British Armed Forces contract break – Vodafone
3. O2

If your phone company or provider is not listed above, check their website and find out if they have an Armed Forces policy or point of contact.

You can check if your mobile company or provider has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

14. No Claims Bonus

Please read here for advice on serving Overseas and your No Claims bonus: MoD’s Financial Top Tips for Service Personnel

15. Removals

16. Welfare

Welfare support will vary with location and type of assignment:-

• EJSU – has details of local welfare support in their guides Global Support Organisation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• USA – Welfare – BDSUS Information Portal
• Gibraltar – OLG-Gibraltar-FINAL.pdf – Google Drive
• Also see –British Forces Social Work Service Overseas

Reach back to the UK:-

• All Naval Service personnel and their families can contact the RNFPS Portal on 0800 145 6088
• For service personnel assigned on loan service or exchange assignments you can often access in-country support but they can also reach back to the Joint Service Admin Unit (London) contactable via JSAUL-Welfare-Group-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk

The following resources can also be accessed:-

• Headspace: NFF – Free Access to Headspace for RN/RM Serving Community
• RMRMC Strengthening Families (including Relate, Home-Start etc): Families and Relationships | The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (rnrmc.org.uk)

Return to UK – Compassionate

If a situation requires immediate assessment which may mean return from Overseas to the UK please contact JCCC 01452 519951.

Also for USA see: JCCC & Compassionate Travel – BDSUS Information Portal