A Comprehensive Guide on Moving to the UK

Jump right in:

• Visa types & work permit requirements
• Finding housing in the UK
• Things to know about relocating your household goods and pets
• Finding a job & working in the UK
• Opening a bank account & managing your taxes
• Health insurance & the healthcare system of the UK explained
• The education system in the UK
• Living & finding your way in the UK

To live and work in the UK, you will need a work permit and an employment visa. There are several types of work visas, depending on the length of your stay or the work you will do. You can find out your UK work permit eligibility and which visa applies to you by following the steps in this useful tool.

If you want to work independently in the UK, then you will need a self-employment or business visa.

In order to apply for permanent residency, you must first have spent a certain amount of time in the UK, which varies depending on your visa. Tables for fees for all types of temporary and permanent residency and family visas can be found in the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees page.

Read our full guide on visa types and work permits to find information about your specific situation and how to move forward with the application.

The housing market is fast-paced, but the upside is that the UK has many different types of housing to offer. From modern apartments, to the classic Victorian terraced houses and warehouse spaces.

Check our full guide on how to find a new home in the UK as we cover all the tips on how to find a place that you can call your new home as well as mention the realistic prices.

If your aim is to live in the capital, you will have to be prepared for the high London prices. When it comes to utilities, UK has quite expensive electricity, but relatively cheaper gas compared with other EU countries.

Acquiring property does not give you any citizenship rights, so be clear about that before putting your money into real estate. There are certain rules for buying property in the UK. When you decide to purchase, make sure to fit all the requirements and have your documents ready. To make things easier read our full guide on housing in The UK.

During your relocation process, you will have to think about moving, shipping, and storing your household goods. Since the UK is an island, its rules and regulations are stricter than in other countries, which adds complexity to the logistics of your move.

Bear in mind that rules are different depending on your point of departure. After Brexit, goods arriving from an EU and non-EU countries are treated as coming from outside the UK, but you may claim Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief so that eligible personal belongings are imported without customs duty or import VAT.

What about your cat and your dog? Is moving to the UK with your pets difficult? What vaccinations are required? Know that it’s mandatory to get your pet microchipped before or at the same time as getting their rabies vaccine. You should not microchip your pet after the vaccine, as it will not fulfil the requirements. 

Read our complete guide on relocating to the UK

This guide covers information on how to find a job in the UK, average salaries, social security system, business culture, and maternity and paternity leave benefits. While it is stressful to find a new job, we include sites, events, and networking options you should look into when trying to find a job. For those looking to work independently, you will be classified as a sole trader or self-employed. You can find the steps you should take to become self-employed in our full guide.

In the UK, a social security number is called the National Insurance number (NINO). If you are working in the UK, you must pay National Insurance to become eligible for pensions and other benefits, such as insurance in the face of illness or loss of a job.

Women on maternity leave are entitled to the same rights they normally have at work (paid holiday, pension payments, and other employee benefits). For fathers, there are not as many benefits.

Read our full guide on managing your work-life in the UK

A critical aspect of your new life in the UK will be understanding the local tax system and swiftly opening a local bank account that serves your needs. Expats have financial commitments in both their home country and destination. This means that it is essential to grasp the new tax systems, have the ability to easily move money between countries, and be clear on how to administer finances in different currencies.

We cover information on the best banks in the UK, what you will need to do to open a non-resident bank account, and how high taxes are in the UK. You will find all this information and more in our dull guide on opening a bank account and managing your taxes.

Read our complete guide on banking & taxes in the UK

In this guide, you will find information on public and private healthcare, and how the healthcare system works in general, as well as how to find a doctor or a dentist, and what you need to know about giving birth in the UK.

The country’s National Healthcare System (NHS) offers health services to everyone living in the UK. As an expat, you will be entitled to all of those services provided by the NHS. You can find all of the information about how to become a part of the UK healthcare system and get public insurance in our full guide.

Read our complete guide on insurance & healthcare in the UK

In the UK, preschool isn’t mandatory, though, and there are other options for early years or preschool education, such as daycare, “nursery schools” (similar to kindergartens), childminders, and au-pairs.

Schooling is compulsory for your kids from age 5 to 16. The national curriculum is divided into year groups known as “key stages” (KS), guiding students’ progress. Each stage covers specific years and ends with assessments to check learning.

KS 1 to 2 make up primary education. This is followed by secondary education, which lasts for five to seven years.

While vocational training is growing in popularity, A-levels are still the most common route to university. Students prepare for their A-levels during Years 12 and 13 in school.

You can find everything you need to know about kindergartens, schools, universities, private and public options, as well as international education options in our full guide on the education system in the UK.

You might be wondering what it is like to live in the UK. Here, you will find information about the pros and cons of living in the UK, evaluating the job market, weather, location, education system and more. We will also touch on life aspects such as navigating public transport and driving, the cost of living, and practical information. The Brits are known for driving on the other side of the road. If you’re not yet comfortable with this, start driving in more remote areas until you gain confidence, as traffic in the UK can get rough. Read our full guide on to find the costs of living how to navigate daily life in the UK.