Best Places for British Citizens to Move Abroad in 2026

Why more Britons consider moving abroad

Moving abroad is rarely about one factor. For some Britons, the trigger is housing or tax; for others, it is climate, work or retirement. In practice, the decision usually comes down to a mix of residence rules, costs, healthcare, safety and day-to-day convenience.

Cost of living

For many households, the first comparison is simply what the same income can buy elsewhere. In July 2026, UK CPI rose by 2.9% year-on-year, while CPIH, which includes owner occupiers’ housing costs, rose by 3.1% ^[1] Source: Office for National Statistics, UK consumer price inflation in July 2026 .

Housing remains a major pressure point. Average UK private rents increased by 3.7% in the 12 months to July 2026, and the average UK house price reached £272,000 ^[2] Source: Office for National Statistics, UK private rent and house prices in July 2026 .

Lower-cost countries can make UK income, pensions, or savings go further. Expatistan estimates that Spain is 39% cheaper than the UK overall, with housing 47% cheaper ^[3] Source: Expatistan, Spain and United Kingdom cost comparison . Portugal is estimated to be 40% cheaper than the UK overall ^[4] Source: Expatistan, Portugal and United Kingdom cost comparison .

National averages can hide expensive cities and resorts. Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, and popular coastal areas often cost far more than smaller cities or inland locations. Even so, rent, transport, eating out and everyday services can still be cheaper than in the UK.

Tax and business considerations

In the UK, taxable income above £125,140 falls into the 45% additional rate ^[5] Source: GOV.UK, Income Tax rates and allowances for 2026/27 , company profits can be taxed at up to 25%, and the tax-free dividend allowance is only £500 ^[6] Source: GOV.UK, Corporation Tax rates .

Lower-tax jurisdictions therefore enter the comparison for some founders, investors and company directors. Cyprus taxes personal income at up to 35% from 2026 and applies a 15% corporate tax rate. The UAE has no personal income tax and charges 9% corporate tax only on taxable income above AED 375,000.

The pressure increased after the UK changed the rules for non-domiciled residents. Until 6 April 2025, many non-doms could use the remittance basis and pay UK tax on foreign income and gains only when they brought that money into the UK.

From 6 April 2025, this system was replaced by a residence-based regime. The new 4-year foreign income and gains regime is mainly available to new arrivals who have not been UK tax resident for the previous 10 tax years. Long-term UK residents no longer get the same protection for foreign income and gains.

Inheritance Tax also became more relevant for internationally mobile families. A person can fall within the UK Inheritance Tax scope on non-UK assets if they were a UK resident for at least 10 of the previous 20 tax years. After leaving, this exposure can continue for 3 to 10 years, depending on the length of UK residence.

Brexit 

After Brexit, UK citizens can still visit most EU and Schengen countries without a visa, but only for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

A holiday stay and a move are now legally separate things. To live, work, study, retire or run a business in an EU country, Britons usually need a national visa or a residence permit, for example, through investment.

Climate

At London Heathrow, Met Office climate normals show about 1,519 sunshine hours and 107 days with at least 1 mm of rain a year ^[7] Source: Met Office, London Heathrow climate averages . For example, in Málaga, AEMET records 2,905 sunshine hours, 109 cloudless days, and only 42 rainy days a year ^[8] Source: AEMET, Málaga Airport standard climate values .

Portugal and Spain also have much drier summers than the UK. Lisbon records 793.5 mm of rain a year across 75 rainy days, but July averages only 2.6 mm of rain and less than one rainy day ^[9] Source: IPMA, Lisbon climatological normal 1991—2020 . Madrid is drier overall, with 371 mm of annual rain and about 55 rainy days ^[10] Source: AEMET, Madrid Airport standard climate values .

Where do people emigrate from the UK?

More British nationals are leaving the UK than returning. According to the Office for National Statistics, 246,000 British nationals left the UK for at least 12 months in the year ending December 2025, compared with 257,000 in the previous year. In 2025, around 136,000 more British nationals left the UK than arrived ^[11] Source: Office for National Statistics, UK emigration trends and destination data limitations .

Young adults make up an important part of the trend. ONS data shows that negative net migration was especially strong among people aged 16 to 34 ^[12] Source: Office for National Statistics, UK emigration explained, May 2026 . This suggests that emigration from the UK is not only about retirement, but also about work, study, lifestyle, and early-career mobility.

Exact destination data is limited. ONS explains that it is difficult to track where British nationals move each year because UK citizens do not need a visa to leave the country, and different states use different migration definitions.

English-speaking countries remain major destinations. The best available picture comes from migrant stock data, which shows where UK-born people already live abroad. Australia has the largest British-born population overseas, with about 1.1 million UK-born residents in 2024. Canada, the US, and New Zealand also remain important long-term destinations.

Spain is the most popular European destination for UK-born residents. UN data cited by ONS estimates about 295,000 UK-born people living in Spain in 2024. Spain’s national statistics office estimated around 282,000 British-born residents in January 2025 ^[13] Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Annual Population Census 2025 .

Europe remains attractive for people who want to stay closer to the UK. Spain, France, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands, Malta, and Cyprus are common choices for British citizens who want shorter flights home, a familiar time zone, EU residence options, better weather, or lower everyday costs.

Spain — the most popular European destination for Britons

Warm weather, frequent UK flights and large British communities make this one of the most familiar EU moves for Britons. Several residence routes cover retirees, financially independent applicants and remote workers.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Retirees, remote workers, families, and second-home owners	Climate, healthcare, British communities, and regular UK connections	Spain is not a low-tax country

Lifestyle 

Spain offers a more outdoor lifestyle than the UK. Coastal cities and towns often revolve around cafés, beaches, walking routes, local markets, and longer evenings outside. In Valencia, the Turia riverbed — a former river diverted in the 1960s — is now a 9-kilometre green ribbon of jogging paths and orange trees that fills up every evening after 7:00 PM.

The climate is a major reason to move. Alicante records around 3,000 sunshine hours a year, while many UK locations have much shorter sunny seasons.

Cost of living

Spain is usually cheaper than the UK for everyday life. Expatistan estimates that living costs in Spain are 39% lower than in the UK overall, with housing 47% cheaper.

Taxes

Spain taxes residents on worldwide income. Income tax is progressive. Employment income is generally taxed from 19 to 47%, while savings income, such as dividends and capital gains, is taxed from 19 to 30%.

How to move to Spain

Remote workers can apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa if they earn at least €2,850 a month and mainly work with clients or employers outside Spain.

The Non-Lucrative Visa suits retirees and financially independent Britons who do not plan to work in Spain. The main applicant needs at least €2,400 a month in 2026.

Portugal — an Atlantic base for remote workers and retirees

Mild winters, the Atlantic coast and lower living costs are the main lifestyle draw. The D7 and Digital Nomad routes also cover many retirees, financially independent applicants and remote workers.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Remote workers, retirees, families, and people who want a quieter European base	D7 and Digital Nomad Visa options, ocean lifestyle, milder winters, and lower everyday costs	Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve have become more expensive

Lifestyle 

Life in Portugal is closely tied to the ocean. Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Madeira, and smaller coastal towns offer beaches, seafood, walking routes, outdoor cafés, and regular surf spots.

The climate is milder and sunnier than in the UK. Visit Portugal states that the country has around 3,000 sunshine hours a year, with regional differences between the cooler north, warmer south, islands, and Atlantic coast.

Cost of living

Expatistan estimates that living costs in Portugal are 40% lower than in the UK overall, with housing 39% cheaper. Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are the main exceptions. These areas attract expats and tourists, so rent and property prices can be much higher than in smaller inland towns.

Taxes

Portugal taxes residents on worldwide income. Personal income tax is progressive, with rates from 12.5 to 48%. Income from foreign sources, such as dividends, is generally taxed at 28%. 

How to move to Portugal

Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote employees and freelancers with income from outside Portugal. The main applicant must earn at least €3,680 a month.

Portugal’s Golden Visa, or residence permit by investment, starts from €250,000. It is issued for 2 years and can be renewed for further 2-year periods. Investors can choose one of 5 eligible investment options: invest in culture and the arts, research activities, investment fund units, a business, or the creation of 10 jobs.

Greece — one of Europe’s lowest-cost Golden Visa routes

Greece is one of the few European countries where investors can still obtain a Golden Visa by buying property. The minimum investment starts at €250,000 for specific property categories, while standard thresholds are higher.

For buyers already considering a home in Greece, the route combines property ownership with a renewable residence permit and access to the Schengen Area.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Property-focused investors, retirees, and Britons looking for a Mediterranean base	Warm weather, island and coastal lifestyle, lower costs than in the UK, and access to the Schengen Area	Bureaucracy can be slow, and island or rural life may feel seasonal outside major cities

Lifestyle

Greeks don’t really do indoor evenings. From May to October, life moves outside — to the kafeneio for a slow coffee, onto a Blue Star ferry from Piraeus to islands like Symi, or to a panigiri festival on Ikaria that runs into mid-September and doesn’t wind down until the roast lamb is gone.

Cost of living

Greece is usually cheaper than the UK. Expatistan estimates that living costs in Greece are 43% lower than in the UK overall.

The difference is most visible in rent, local food, cafés, transport, and everyday services. Athens, popular islands, and tourist areas can be more expensive, especially in summer.

Taxes

Greek taxation is not as light as the lifestyle may suggest. Employment, pension, and business income are taxed on a progressive scale from 9 to 44%.

Investment income follows separate rates. Dividends are taxed at 5%, interest at 15%, royalties at 20%, and capital gains at 15%. Rental income from Greek property is taxed separately, from 15 to 45%, depending on the amount.

How to move to Greece 

The Greece Golden Visa grants a renewable 5-year residence permit to non-EU investors. Real estate is one of the available investment routes.

Current property thresholds depend on the location and type of real estate:

• €800,000+ in Attica, the Thessaloniki Regional Unit, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with more than 3,100 residents;
• €400,000+ in other areas of Greece;
• €250,000 — industrial properties for conversion into residential use or buildings for renovation.

Other Golden Visa routes include investment in funds, a long-term lease of hotel or tourist accommodation, a fixed-term deposit with a Greek bank, and the purchase of securities such as shares or Greek government bonds.

Malta — permanent residence from the start

English is widely used, flights to the UK are frequent, and the Malta Permanent Residence Programme grants permanent rather than temporary residence. These factors make relocation comparatively straightforward for British families and retirees.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Investors, families, retirees, and Britons who want permanent residence rather than a temporary visa	English is widely used, the country is small and easy to navigate, and permanent residence can be obtained from the start	Malta is compact and densely populated, so housing, traffic, and personal space can feel more constrained than in larger countries

Lifestyle

Malta has a strong English-speaking environment, which makes relocation easier for Britons. The country has about 3,000 sunshine hours a year, Mediterranean food, historic towns, island festivals, and regular flights to the UK.

Safety and inclusion are part of Malta’s appeal. ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map ranked Malta first in Europe for LGBTI rights for 10 years before Spain took the top place in 2026 ^[14] Source: ILGA-Europe, Rainbow Map 2026 .

Cost of living

Malta is usually cheaper than the UK, but not always cheap by Southern European standards. Expatistan estimates that living costs in Malta are 26% lower than in the UK overall ^[15] Source: Expatistan, Malta and United Kingdom cost comparison .

The difference depends heavily on location. Sliema, St Julian’s, Valletta, and popular coastal areas can be expensive, especially for rent. Smaller towns and Gozo may offer better value.

Taxes

Malta has a progressive personal income tax system, with resident single rates from 0 to 35%. The highest rate applies to chargeable income above €60,000.

How to move to Malta

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme provides residence rights for foreign nationals seeking alternative residence in Europe. The investment conditions include:

• renting or purchasing property in Malta;
• paying government fees;
• making a charitable donation to a Maltese organisation.

Malta permanent residence is granted for life.

Cyprus — a tax-friendly island for Britons

Long-standing UK ties, widespread use of English and relatively low taxes make Cyprus particularly relevant to business owners and investors. It also has established British communities in coastal areas such as Paphos and Larnaca.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Business owners, investors, remote workers, and retirees	Favourable tax rules, warm climate, coastal lifestyle, and strong UK ties	Cyprus is not yet fully in the Schengen Area, so residence there does not give the same Schengen mobility as residence in Spain, Portugal, Malta, or Greece

Lifestyle

Cyprus has a more relaxed island rhythm than the UK. Limassol and Nicosia suit people who want business, offices, schools, and city infrastructure, while Paphos, Larnaca, and smaller coastal towns feel more lifestyle-driven.

Daily life is shaped by beaches, marinas, seafood, cafés, mountain villages, and short distances between the coast and the Troodos Mountains. The island has long dry summers, mild winters, and over 300 sunny days a year.

Cost of living

Cyprus is usually cheaper than the UK, but not as low-cost as some people expect. Expatistan estimates that living costs in Cyprus are 24% lower than in the UK overall ^[16] Source: Expatistan, Cyprus and United Kingdom cost comparison .

Limassol is the main exception. It is the business and international services hub, so rents and property prices can be much higher than in Paphos, Larnaca, or smaller towns.

Taxes

Cyprus has a progressive personal income tax system, with rates from 0 to 35%. The first €22,000 of taxable income is tax-free, while the highest 35% rate applies to income above €72,000.

Corporate income tax is 15%, which remains relatively low compared with many European countries.

How to move to Cyprus

Cyprus offers permanent residence by investment from €300,000. Investors can qualify through residential or commercial property, investment in a Cyprus company, or units of a Cyprus investment fund.

The status is also granted to the investor’s family members: a spouse and children.

United States — a global hub for work and business

Immigration paperwork is more demanding than for most countries in this guide, but the labour market is a draw in its own right. Britons move to the US through employer sponsorship, intra-company transfers and investment, particularly for careers in technology, finance, healthcare, media and research.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Skilled professionals, founders, executives, researchers, and people transferring within global companies	High salaries, global companies, startup funding, top universities, and a large English-speaking market	Visas are competitive, healthcare can be expensive, and life in major hubs costs more than in many European countries

Lifestyle

Life in the US depends heavily on the state and city. New York and San Francisco suit finance, technology, media, and startups, while Los Angeles is stronger for entertainment, creative industries, and lifestyle relocation.

Cost of living

Expatistan estimates that the United States is 11% cheaper than the UK overall, with transport 36% cheaper and housing about the same ^[17] Source: Expatistan, United States and United Kingdom cost comparison .

New York, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, and parts of Miami can be very expensive, especially for rent, childcare, healthcare, and private education. Smaller cities can offer much better value.

Taxes

US federal income tax is progressive, with rates from 10 to 37%. The top federal rate applies to taxable income above $640,600 for single filers ^[18] Source: IRS, federal income tax rates for 2026 .

State taxes matter as much as federal taxes. Some states, such as Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Washington, do not tax wage income, while others apply their own income tax rates. The federal corporate tax rate is 21%, but state corporate taxes can also apply ^[19] Source: US Code, federal corporate income tax rate .

How to move to the US

The main work route is usually an employer-sponsored visa. The H-1B is used for specialty occupations, while the L-1 allows international companies to transfer managers, executives, or employees with specialised knowledge to a US office.

The EB-5 Investor Visa suits applicants who want permanent residence through investment. The minimum investment is $800,000 for projects in targeted employment areas or infrastructure projects, and $1,050,000 for other projects. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualifying US workers.

New Zealand — an English-speaking option for work and outdoor living

For Britons who want an English-speaking country with more space and easy access to nature, New Zealand is one of the most natural alternatives to the UK. The country attracts skilled professionals and families, while younger UK citizens also have an unusually flexible route for trying life there before making a permanent move.

Best for	Main appeal	Main limitation
Skilled professionals, healthcare workers, engineers, tradespeople, young adults, families, and investors	English-speaking environment, outdoor lifestyle, skilled residence routes, and a Working Holiday Visa available to Britons up to age 35	Long distance from the UK, a relatively small job market, and expensive housing in some major cities and resort areas

Lifestyle

Auckland has the biggest job market and the largest concentration of international firms. Wellington is where government, tech, and creative work overlap. Christchurch feels smaller and easier to navigate — the mountains and coast are half an hour away, and the rest of the South Island is just a short drive further.

Cost of living

New Zealand can be cheaper than the UK despite its reputation for high prices. Expatistan estimates that the country is 32% cheaper overall, with housing 42% cheaper and food around 10% cheaper.

National averages do not tell the whole story. Auckland and Queenstown can be expensive, particularly for housing, while smaller cities and regional areas usually offer better value. Imported goods can also cost more because of New Zealand’s geographic isolation ^[20] Source: Expatistan, New Zealand and United Kingdom cost comparison .

Taxes

New Zealand has a progressive personal income tax system, with rates from 10.5% to 39%. The highest rate applies to income above NZD 180,000, while companies generally pay 28% corporate income tax.

New arrivals can also qualify for a temporary tax exemption on most foreign-source income for around 4 years. This can cover overseas dividends, interest, investment income, and rental income, although foreign employment and personal-service income are excluded.

How to move to New Zealand

For Britons aged 18 to 35, the United Kingdom Working Holiday Visa is one of the simplest ways to spend an extended period in the country. It allows a stay of up to 36 months and does not require a job offer, although holders cannot take permanent employment.

For a longer-term move, the Accredited Employer Work Visa requires a full-time job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer and can be granted for up to 5 years. Skilled workers may later qualify for residence through the Skilled Migrant Category.

Comparison of countries for UK citizens moving abroad

A lower cost of living is only one factor to consider when choosing where to move. Income tax rates and the residence routes available to UK citizens can differ just as much. The table compares these factors across some of the most popular destinations.

Cost of living, taxes and residence options by country

Country	Best for	Cost of living vs UK	Personal income tax	Main residence options
Spain	Retirees, remote workers, families, and second-home owners	39% lower	19—47%	Digital Nomad VisaNon-Lucrative Visa
Portugal	Remote workers, retirees, families, and people who want a quieter European base	40% lower	12.5—48%	D7Digital Nomad Visa Golden Visa
Greece	Property-focused investors, retirees, and Britons looking for a Mediterranean base	43% lower	9—44%	Golden Visa
Malta	Investors, families, retirees, and Britons who want permanent residence	26% lower	0—35%	Permanent residence by investment
Cyprus	Business owners, investors, remote workers, and retirees	24% lower	0—35%	Permanent residence by investment
United States	Skilled professionals, founders, executives, researchers, and people transferring within global companies	11% lower	10—37% federal	H-1BL-1EB-5
New Zealand	Skilled professionals, healthcare workers, engineers, tradespeople, young adults, families, and investors	32% lower	10.5—39%	Working Holiday VisaAccredited Employer Work Visa

Taxes for British Expats

British expats usually need to look at two systems at once: the UK rules and the tax rules of the new country of residence.

When UK tax residence can end

UK tax residence is tested for each tax year, from 6 April to 5 April. HMRC uses the Statutory Residence Test to assess several factors:

• how many days the person spends in the UK;
• whether they work in the UK or abroad;
• where they have an available home;
• where their close family lives;
• whether they were UK tax residents in previous years ^[21] Source: GOV.UK, Statutory Residence Test guidance .

A person can usually stop being a UK tax resident by moving abroad for a full tax year, limiting UK visits, and making their main life and work outside the UK. The exact day limit depends on personal ties, so the same number of UK visits can lead to different results for different people.

Split-year treatment can apply in the year of departure. In this case, the tax year is divided into a UK-resident part and an overseas part. This can help people who move partway through the year, but only if they meet the conditions ^[22] Source: GOV.UK, Statutory Residence Test guidance .

Some income can remain taxable in the UK after relocation. This can include rent from UK property, some pension income, income from UK workdays, and business income connected with the UK ^[23] Source: GOV.UK, tax on UK income if you live abroad .

Double taxation agreements

The UK has one of the world’s largest tax treaty networks, covering around 120 countries. For British expats, this includes many common relocation destinations, such as Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Australia, Canada, and the UAE.

The result depends on the income source. Salary is often taxed where the work is physically performed. Rental income is usually taxed where the property is located. Pensions, dividends, interest, and capital gains can follow separate treaty rules.

For example, a British expat who lives in Spain and rents out a UK flat usually pays UK tax on that rental income first. If the annual net rental profit is £20,000, UK tax at the basic 20% rate would be £4,000.

Spain can also include the same rental profit in the person’s worldwide income if they are Spanish tax resident. If this income falls into a 30% Spanish income tax bracket, Spanish tax on the same profit would be about £6,000 before relief.

Double taxation relief prevents the same income from being taxed twice in full. Spain may credit the £4,000 already paid in the UK against the Spanish tax due. In this simplified example, the person would pay about £2,000 more in Spain, so the total tax on that income would be about £6,000, not £10,000.

Income, capital gains and inheritance

After relocation, the UK tax position depends on what the person keeps in the UK. The first things to check are usually:

• rental income from UK property;
• UK pension payments;
• income from work physically performed in the UK;
• dividends or salary from a UK company;
• gains from selling UK land or property;
• Inheritance Tax exposure after leaving.

Income. UK-source income can remain taxable in the UK after the person moves abroad. This can include UK pensions, income from UK workdays, rental income, and business income connected with the UK. The destination country may also tax worldwide income if the person becomes a tax resident there.

Capital gains. Non-residents who sell UK land or property usually need to report the sale to HMRC. In 2026/27, the annual Capital Gains Tax exempt amount is £3,000. Gains above the allowance are taxed at 18% if they fall within the basic rate band and 24% if they fall above it. For non-residents, the rate is calculated using taxable UK income and the taxable gain ^[24] Source: GOV.UK, Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances for 2026/27 .

For example, a British expat sells a UK flat and has a taxable gain of £50,000 after costs and allowances. If £20,000 falls within the basic rate band, that part is taxed at 18%. The remaining £30,000 is taxed at 24%. The UK Capital Gains Tax would be £10,800 before any treaty relief or destination-country tax calculation.

Inheritance. The standard UK Inheritance Tax rate is 40% above the tax-free threshold. The main nil-rate band is £325,000. If a home is passed to direct descendants, the residence nil-rate band can add up to £175,000, so some estates can pass up to £500,000 tax-free. Unused allowances can sometimes transfer between spouses or civil partners ^[25] Source: GOV.UK, Inheritance Tax thresholds and rates .

From 6 April 2025, Inheritance Tax depends more on long-term UK residence than domicile. A person can fall within the UK Inheritance Tax scope if they were a UK resident for at least 10 of the previous 20 tax years. After leaving, the link can continue for 3 to 10 years, depending on how long the person lived in the UK ^[26] Source: GOV.UK, Inheritance Tax for long-term UK residents .

How to move abroad from the UK: a checklist

Once the country and residence route are chosen, there are a few practical things worth sorting out before leaving the UK.

1. Check the residence route beyond the first visa. Look at the right to work, family eligibility, renewal rules and the route to permanent residence. A visa that is easy to obtain may not be the best option for a long-term move.

2. Take documents you may need later. Each visa has its own requirements, but some documents are useful to have after the move as well:

• university diplomas and transcripts;
• professional certificates;
• medical records;
• vaccination records;
• prescriptions for regular medication.

UK professional qualifications are not automatically recognised in every country. For regulated professions, such as medicine, law or teaching, they may need to be formally recognised before starting work.

If taking prescription medicine abroad, check the destination country’s rules in advance. Controlled medicines should usually travel with a prescription or doctor’s letter.

3. Check how long the UK driving licence remains valid. The rules are different in each country. In Spain and Germany, new residents generally need to exchange a UK licence within 6 months. In Portugal, residents can use a valid UK licence until it expires.

4. Prepare early if moving with a pet. Since 22 April 2026, Great Britain residents travelling with a dog, cat or ferret to the EU generally need an Animal Health Certificate rather than an EU pet passport. A new certificate is required for each trip from Great Britain to the EU ^[27] Source: GOV.UK, New EU rules for pet travel for GB residents .

For countries outside the EU, an Export Health Certificate may be required. Some destinations also have their own vaccination, blood test or quarantine rules.

5. Sort out banking and phone access. Leave your UK SIM active for the first months after the move, especially if the number is linked to banking, two-factor authentication or account recovery.

Before leaving, notify your bank about the relocation and check whether you can continue using the account as a non-UK resident.

6. Try an area before signing a long-term lease. If possible, rent short-term accommodation first and spend some time in different neighbourhoods. An area that looks convenient online or during a holiday may feel very different once you start commuting, shopping and living there every day.

Key takeaways about moving abroad from the UK

1. Britons move abroad for different reasons: lower everyday costs, warmer weather, easier access to Europe, tax planning, remote work, or a better place for family life and retirement.
2. Living costs can be much lower outside the UK. Spain is estimated to be 39% cheaper overall, Portugal 40% cheaper, and Greece 43% cheaper.
3. Europe and English-speaking countries remain the two main directions. Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus attract Britons in Europe, while the US and New Zealand appeal to those looking for English-speaking destinations.
4. Golden Visas are one of the clearest routes for Britons who want residence through investment.
5. Leaving the UK does not automatically end UK tax obligations. UK property income, some pensions, capital gains and Inheritance Tax can remain relevant after relocation.