Moving to the UK: the ultimate checklist

The United Kingdom has long since been a popular destination for expats looking for new beginnings. Its capital, London, is a truly global city with a wide array of opportunities for expats looking for work, particularly in the financial services sector. The UK’s other major towns and cities all have sizeable expat communities, while outside these the country’s more rural areas have varied and at times spectacular scenery.

If you’re planning to relocate yourself and your family to the UK, there are certain things you should be aware of before you leave, from immigration paperwork and post-Brexit entry rules to healthcare, customs and housing. To help you out, here’s our checklist for moving to the United Kingdom, including information on the following topics:

AnyVan

Stressed about moving to the UK? Not anymore. AnyVan is your all-in-one answer to a smooth, affordable international move- without the chaos. Whether you’re relocating a few boxes or your entire life, AnyVan’s expert movers, unbeatable prices, and zero-hassle service make it feel effortless. They handle everything – packing, customs, paperwork, logistics – so you can just breathe. With trusted pros, flexible scheduling, and savings up to 40% compared to other companies, it’s no wonder over 3 million people have chosen AnyVan.

Go to website

Do your research

Many expats moving to the UK will have a good understanding of what life is like in the country before they arrive, thanks largely to its portrayal in popular culture. However, the reality of everyday life in the United Kingdom is likely to be different from what you see on the screen. For example, the high number of opportunities in London is reflected in London’s high cost of living, but northern areas of the country are generally much more affordable. Similarly, while most large towns and cities have diverse populations and popular night-time economies, this is often not the case in more remote, rural locations.

To give you an idea of what to expect, make sure you read the following guides:

• An introduction to the United Kingdom
• Cost of living in the UK
• British etiquette

Brexit and what it means for you

The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020, and free movement between the UK and the EU ended on 31 December 2020. Since 1 January 2021, most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens moving to the UK for work or study have been subject to the UK’s immigration system in broadly the same way as other foreign nationals. Irish citizens are treated differently under Common Travel Area arrangements and generally do not need permission to live or work in the UK.

If you or an eligible family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, check the immigration route that applies to you before moving. You can also read Expatica’s guide to the consequences of Brexit for expats.

Arrange your visa

Check the UK’s immigration requirements for every family member before you move. EU, EEA and Swiss nationality no longer gives most new arrivals an automatic right to live or work in the UK. Depending on your nationality and purpose of travel, you may need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) even for a short visit; an ETA or visitor permission does not give you a general right to live or work in the UK. Irish citizens generally do not need immigration permission under Common Travel Area arrangements, while eligible people who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 may have rights under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Use the UK Government’s visa and ETA checker to confirm what applies to you. If you plan to work, read our guide to UK work visas. For more information on immigration routes and residence, see our complete guide to UK visas and immigration.

Transport your belongings

How are you going to get you and your family’s belongings to the UK? It’s an important question, and the answer will vary depending on where you’re moving from. If you’re moving personal belongings from outside the UK to Great Britain, or from outside the EU to Northern Ireland, you may be able to claim Transfer of Residence relief from customs charges. GOV.UK advises eligible movers to complete form ToR01 before moving. Different customs rules apply when moving belongings from the EU to Northern Ireland.

If you’re relocating with a family or simply want to take the stress out of your move, you may prefer to use a relocation specialist who can help with shipping and customs paperwork.

Sirelo

It’s no secret that moving abroad can be stressful. Sirelo’s team of removal advisers is here to help. They provide five free quotes from international shipping companies so you can find the best options at the best prices. Take the stress out of your relocation to the United Kingdom with Sirelo.

Go to website

Relocation specialists can help you with every step of your move to the UK, from physically moving your treasured household belongings, to helping you through the immigration process and even helping you find your child’s school. Whether you’re after the full door-to-door service, or simply some international shipping, check out these relocation services:

• AnyVan
• ReloAdvisor
• The Relocator
• Sirelo

For more information, read our guide to relocation options for moving to the UK.

Manage your finances

When moving to the United Kingdom, it’s essential that you get your finances in order to ensure you can support yourself and your family. This relates to any short-term money needs as well as long-term financial management, including:

• Bank accounts: Research your banking options before you arrive, including retail banks and mobile banking options in the UK. For more information, read our guide to opening a bank account in the UK.
• Pensions, tax, and investments: Can your pension be transferred to the UK? How will your investments be affected? Find out before you move with our guide to the UK tax system and our guide to the UK pension system.
• Insurance: Whatever your needs, make sure your family’s belongings have the protection they need by sorting out insurance premiums before you leave. For more information, read our guide to insurance in the UK.

To help cover your finances in the short-term, you may also need to transfer money internationally quickly and easily. To do this, check out these international money transfer options:

• CurrencyFair offers money transfers to over 150 countries and have exchange rates up to eight times cheaper than the banks, helping you avoid excessive bank fees.
• Wise offers international money transfers from the UK with fees shown upfront and currency conversion at the mid-market exchange rate. Availability, fees and delivery times depend on the currencies, destination and payment method.
• XE provides live currency information and currently supports money transfers to more than 190 countries across 130 currencies.

Move your vehicle

Are you planning on taking your car with you to your new home in the UK? If you bring a vehicle into the UK permanently, you may need to complete customs and registration steps before using it normally on public roads. For permanent imports into Great Britain from anywhere, and into Northern Ireland from outside the EU, GOV.UK says you generally need to deal with any import declaration and VAT or customs duty due, tell HM Revenue and Customs within 14 days, obtain vehicle approval where required, register and tax the vehicle with DVLA, and insure it. Rules differ for some vehicle movements involving Northern Ireland, so check the official vehicle import guidance for your route.

One of the most obvious differences about UK motoring is that traffic drives on the left. There are also specific rules on driving licences, vehicle tax, insurance and roadworthiness, so make sure you do your research beforehand. Find out more with our guide to driving in the United Kingdom.

Take care of your pet

Do you have a family of furry friends? Check the pet-import rules well before you travel because they depend on where you are coming from and whether you are moving to Great Britain or Northern Ireland. For dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain, the standard process includes an approved microchip, rabies vaccination, the correct pet travel document and an approved travel route; dogs may also need tapeworm treatment depending on where they are travelling from. Pets that meet the rules can enter Great Britain without quarantine. Check the official Great Britain pet travel guidance. Northern Ireland has separate pet travel rules, which you can check with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Sort out your health insurance

One of the most important things to do when moving to the United Kingdom is making sure that you and your family understand your healthcare entitlement. Public healthcare is organised separately across the UK’s constituent nations, including the National Health Service (NHS). Eligibility for free treatment depends on your residence and immigration circumstances, not simply your nationality. Most people applying from outside the UK for a visa lasting more than six months must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) unless an exemption applies; once the relevant visa starts, they can generally use NHS services on a similar basis to UK residents.

A valid European Health Insurance Card can give eligible EU, EEA or Swiss visitors access to medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay, but it is not a general substitute for the immigration and healthcare rules that apply when you move to the UK. Private health insurance is optional for many residents and may provide access to private treatment or shorter waits for some services, but having private insurance does not remove the IHS requirement when the surcharge applies. Research your health insurance options ahead of time with one of these health insurance providers:

• Allianz Care
• Cigna Global

For more information, read our guide to health insurance in the UK.

Find a place to live

The UK is a surprisingly varied country when it comes to finding somewhere to live. Do you want to move into a London townhouse? Or maybe a rural cottage somewhere in the Welsh mountains? Whatever you prefer, the UK has a range of housing options for all price brackets. For more information on where to live, read our guide on the best places to live in the UK.

Start looking for a job

Some expats moving to the United Kingdom will already have a job offer lined up. Whether you can move first and look for work afterwards depends on your immigration status: many work routes require you to qualify for the relevant visa before you relocate, and visitor permission does not normally allow you to take employment in the UK. Check your right to work before making plans, then research opportunities in the region where you intend to live. For more information, read our guides to UK work visas and finding a job in the UK.

Look into childcare and schooling options

Are you relocating to the UK with kids? Give them the best start in their new life by researching educational options ahead of time. Generally speaking, the UK has good options for public and private education. So, wherever you move you’ll have a range of choices when it comes to schooling.

For more information, read our guide to the UK education system.

Brush up your language skills

Part of the UK’s attractiveness to many expats is that English is the main language used across the country. However, the UK’s language picture is more varied than that: Welsh has official status in Wales and other indigenous languages are also used in different parts of the UK. If you’re planning to work in the United Kingdom, you might want to consider improving your English skills. Whether you’re looking for conversational or business English, pick the course that’s right for you. If you’re planning to move to Wales, learning some Welsh can also be useful.

Your first week in the UK

Everything planned for your move to the UK? Now, you need to make sure you hit the ground running when you arrive in your new home. To help you out, read our guide to settling into life in the UK.

Useful resources

For more information on moving to and living in the UK, use official guidance for the rules that apply to your circumstances:

• GOV.UK visa and ETA checker – check whether you need a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation
• EU Settlement Scheme – status and eligibility for qualifying EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and family members
• Moving personal belongings to the UK – customs rules and Transfer of Residence relief
• Importing a vehicle into the UK – HMRC, approval, registration, tax and insurance steps
• Bringing pets to Great Britain – pet travel rules for England, Scotland and Wales
• DAERA pet travel guidance – rules for Northern Ireland
• Immigration Health Surcharge and NHS access – healthcare rules for visa applicants
• Healthcare for EU and EFTA visitors – EHIC and reciprocal healthcare guidance