The British Expat Community in Buenos Aires: How to Find Your People

Buenos Aires does not have a large British expat presence — we're smaller than the American, German, or Italian communities here. But the British community is unusually active and well-connected for its size. Once you find a thread to pull, you tend to meet most of the relevant people within a month.

Online communities first

Brits in Buenos Aires (Facebook group): The main hub. Around 3,000 members. Active threads about recommendations, problems, and social events. Post a hello message and introduce yourself — people are welcoming.

WhatsApp groups: The Facebook group regularly shares links to current WhatsApp groups. These are more real-time and useful for specific things (flat-share, language exchange, specific barrio).

Internations Buenos Aires: Not Britain-specific but used heavily by English-speaking expats. Regular events in Palermo.

In-person institutions

The British and Commonwealth Association (BCA): Based in the Microcentro, the BCA is the formal British community organisation. They hold regular social events, host the Queen's Birthday Party (now King's Birthday Party), and maintain connections across the British diaspora. Membership is open and not expensive.

The British Schools in Buenos Aires: Both St. George's College (Quilmes) and the Buenos Aires British Schools have parent communities that pull in British expats with children. If you have kids, these school communities become important quickly.

English-language churches: St. John's Cathedral (Anglican, in the Microcentro) has a small but genuine congregation of British expats and long-term residents. Good if you're looking for a quieter, more established community.

Sports and social clubs

Belgrano Athletic Club: Has a cricket section and a rugby section. The cricket team is primarily British and South African expats. Games are played at weekends.

Hurlingham Club: Historic British sporting club in the suburbs, founded in 1888. Polo, tennis, cricket. More expensive membership but an extraordinary piece of living British-Argentine history.

Buenos Aires Cricket Association: Runs club cricket across the city. Contact through the BCA or directly — they're always looking for players.

Events calendar

Key British community events through the year:

• King's Birthday Party (June): The British Embassy hosts the official reception. If you're connected enough to be invited, it's worth attending.
• Bonfire Night (November): Usually organised informally through the Brits in Buenos Aires Facebook group. Location varies by year.
• Christmas events: The BCA and various pubs and restaurants organise Christmas lunches and drinks.
• Rugby: British expats gather at sports bars during the Six Nations and autumn internationals. Ask in the Facebook group for the current preferred venues.

Meeting people organically

In my experience, the fastest way to meet other Brits in Buenos Aires is:

1. Join the Facebook group and go to the first event listed

2. Find where the expats watch Six Nations (ask in the group)

3. Join a language exchange — you'll meet expats from everywhere, not just Britain

4. Take a Spanish class at a school that teaches a lot of expats (COINED and UBA have mixed communities)

The British community here is warm and not cliquey. Most people arrived not knowing anyone and remember that feeling. New arrivals are welcomed.

Worth reading next

• WhatsApp Groups for British Expats in Buenos Aires
• Making Friends in Buenos Aires as a British Expat
• Language Exchange in Buenos Aires