Moving to United Kingdom: your relocation checklist
How to move to United Kingdom: the visa and residency routes, cost of living, banking, healthcare and taxes you'll deal with, organized by phase. Generate a free plan tailored to your passport, family, and budget below.
The average advertised salary is about £43,053 a year and English proficiency is rated “native” (EF EPI).
Moving from the United States? See the United Kingdom from the USA guide.
Budgeting the move? See the cost of living in United Kingdom.
United Kingdom at a glance
Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.
Air quality · London
AQI 35 · Good
WAQI
Internet
~120 Mbps median
Ookla
Messengers
No known issues
OONI, 6 months to July 2026
Foreign-born residents
17.1% of population
World Bank 2024
Population
69.5M
World Bank 2025
Population density
283 / km²
World Bank 2023
Unemployment
4.8%
World Bank 2025
Avg advertised salary
£43,053 / yr
Adzuna, June 2026
English proficiency
native
EF EPI
Safety advisory
Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution
U.S. State Dept
Currency
GBP
ISO 4217
Timezone
UTC+1
Open-Meteo
4-year FIG regime (ex non-dom)
Foreign income & gains tax-free for the first 4 years
The centuries-old non-dom remittance basis was abolished in April 2025; new arrivals (after 10 years abroad) instead get 4 years of exempt foreign income and gains. Replaced the non-dom regime, abolished April 2025.
Verified June 2026 · HMRC
Getting set up in United Kingdom: key steps & official resources
The main immigration, tax, healthcare and housing bodies you'll deal with, with the official portals and typical costs. Curated and hand-verified — last reviewed June 2026. Figures are approximate; always confirm the current numbers on the official site.
- Immigration is via UKVI / Home Office (www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration); physical BRP cards were phased out in favour of a digital eVisa (UKVI account) by 2025.
- You pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) with your visa, which gives NHS access — register with a local GP (www.nhs.uk); also apply for a National Insurance (NI) number.
- Tax authority is HMRC (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs). Landlords must do a Right to Rent check. Main housing portals: Rightmove (www.rightmove.co.uk), Zoopla (www.zoopla.co.uk), OpenRent. Emergency numbers are 999 and 112.
- Key figures (approximate — verify current values): the Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035/year per adult (£776 for students/under-18s), paid upfront for the whole visa length; the Skilled Worker general salary threshold is ~£38,700/year; tenancy deposits are legally capped at 5 weeks' rent (annual rent under £50k).
The United Kingdom relocation checklist at a glance
1Before you go
- Confirm which visa or residency route fits your situation
- Gather and, where needed, apostille/translate key documents
- Sort out international health insurance for the gap period
- Budget the move and notify your bank of the relocation
2First week
- Register your address with the local authority
- Get a local SIM / mobile number
- Start the local bank account application
- Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy
3First month
- Complete residency registration and get your ID number
- Enroll in the healthcare system or private insurance
- Set up utilities and a long-term rental contract
- Understand your tax residency obligations
4First 90 days
- Exchange or apply for a local driving license if required
- Build a local support network and language basics
- Review and optimize banking, taxes, and insurance
- Handle school enrollment or childcare if you have kids
This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to where you're moving from, your visa status, and your situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to United Kingdom?
It depends on your passport and why you are moving: tourist entry rules are different from working, studying or joining family. Generate a free plan above and we check the visa route for your exact passport and situation, using a 238-country visa matrix.
Does United Kingdom have a special tax regime for newcomers?
Yes: 4-year FIG regime (ex non-dom). Foreign income & gains tax-free for the first 4 years. The centuries-old non-dom remittance basis was abolished in April 2025; new arrivals (after 10 years abroad) instead get 4 years of exempt foreign income and gains. Status: recently changed, verified June 2026 against HMRC.
Can I use WhatsApp and Telegram in United Kingdom?
Network measurements over the last six months show Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook Messenger working normally in United Kingdom (OONI, 5 January 2026 to 7 July 2026). This reflects measured reachability, not an official policy statement.
What do jobs pay in United Kingdom?
The average advertised salary is about £43,053 a year (Adzuna job listings, June 2026). For a benchmark role like software engineer, the median advertised band starts around £60,000. Advertised salaries skew toward roles that are posted online, so treat this as a signal, not a guarantee.
How high are taxes on salaries in United Kingdom?
The OECD tax wedge is about 32% (2025): that is the share of what a job costs an employer that goes to income tax and social contributions for a single average worker. It is not your personal income-tax rate, but it is the honest way to compare countries.
How current is this data?
Climate, inflation and life expectancy were refreshed 12 July 2026; prices, taxes and air quality 7 July 2026; messenger reachability 7 July 2026. Tax regimes are hand-verified against official government sources. Every fact on this page shows its source.