UK diplomats no longer get hardship bonus for being posted to Buenos Aires

What the report says

British diplomats posted to Buenos Aires and Santiago will no longer receive hardship payments, according to a BBC World News report published on 14 August 2026. The UK government has also removed Santiago, Panama City, Pyongyang, Bamako and Sarajevo from its latest list of places that qualify for the allowance, which is intended to offset the added strain of working in difficult or risky overseas posts.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the scheme has been in place for decades and is reviewed regularly. BBC reported that hardship assessments consider factors such as security, climate, natural disasters, isolation and the wider impact on staff wellbeing, including the need for extra rest breaks in some locations. The department said the arrangements reflect the circumstances of the posting and are meant to support staff serving in demanding environments.

The change has drawn political criticism in the UK. Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake said it was unfair on taxpayers to fund extra pay for civil servants in some destinations, including holiday hotspots that still remain on the list. BBC noted that other cities such as Bangkok, Cape Town and Kuala Lumpur continue to qualify, alongside places including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat.

For context, the article said the hardship allowance has been used for around 30 years and is meant to compensate diplomats and their families for the additional costs and challenges of living in harder locations abroad. BBC also reported older published figures showing the amounts were relatively modest for Buenos Aires and Santiago compared with some other postings.