The Probus Club movement was formed in the United Kingdom in 1965. The first to club hold a luncheon meeting was Caterham on March 2, 1966. 

By 1971 about 150 Probus Clubs existed in the UK. In 1974 Probus expanded into New Zealand and by 1976 the idea had spread to Australia. The first Probus club for seniors in North America was in 1987. Although Probus membership has its greatest concentrations in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, clubs today exist in all parts of the world, including the US, Belgium, India, Portugal, Holland, Germany, South Africa and several other countries in Africa and Asia.

Other countries have staffed headquarters to which clubs affiliate, and which can impart advice and support. In the UK and Ireland, it is seen as a strength of the movement that there is no central organising body, so each club has its own rules and guidelines.