Moving Out of the UK? Here’s What You Need to Do

So, you’ve decided to relocate to another country from the UK. Congratulations! This is a huge decision to make, but it’s an exciting one nonetheless.

Relocating abroad comes along with a number of complexities that you can’t avoid. Being as organized as possible is key to a smooth and seamless transition into your expat life.

Luckily, you’re one of the prepared individuals who has decided to do some research before your big move, and you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the most important things that you need to do as a UK citizen planning to live in another country.

What Should You Do When You’re Moving Out of the UK?

Whatever the reason for your move, there are a number of things that you can’t miss when you’re moving out of the UK. Missing just one key step in the relocation process can lead to complications and delays.

Here are some key steps to take when you’re moving out of the United Kingdom to live in a foreign country.

Health insurance

As a UK resident, you’ll be used to the luxury of free healthcare, thanks to the NHS. Your destination country might also offer free healthcare, even for expats, but this isn’t always the case.

Before you can move to your destination country, you will need to arrange international health insurance in the UK. Doing so will ensure that you are able to access the healthcare facilities and services in your new area. A great health insurance plan also enables you to receive specialist treatments and therapies that you might not otherwise be able to access.

Your health insurance provider will cover some of the costs of your medical bills if you do end up needing treatment or surgery while living abroad. Since medical bills can be expensive (especially for long-term treatments), having a great insurance provider minimizes your personal costs and financial worries.

You’ll need to make sure that you sign up for a plan that offers the level of coverage and the types of treatments that you need. While you can’t always predict illnesses and injuries, you can plan ahead if you already have pre-existing health conditions.

Visas

Most countries require their expats to have valid visas to legally live and work there. You need to apply for the most appropriate visa several weeks before you plan on moving so that it can get approved and finalized in time for you to start your new ex-pat life.

If you plan on working when you move abroad, you’ll need a work visa. For those of you who are relocating to study, you’re going to need a work visa. You can also get retirement visas in most countries.

Most visas last for 12 months, after which point you will need to reapply. If your circumstances change, you may need to apply for a different type of visa (such as if you have finished your studies).

After 5-10 years, you may be able to apply for citizenship in your new country, although the time length for this varies from place to place.

Work

If like most people who move out of the UK, you plan on working in your new country, you should try and sort out your employment in advance. Even if you’ve got an emergency fund to fall back on, securing a job before you move means you’ll have some financial stability when you move.

If you work for an international company, speak to your boss to see if you can transfer your employment over to your destination country (remember that you’ll still need a work visa). Those of you who work from home might be able to continue your usual working arrangements after relocating.

The process is a little different for those of you who are self-employed. You’re still going to need a work visa, but you might need to provide more extensive documentation as proof of your earnings. Most countries require that you disclose your unique self-employment Employer Identification Number (EIN) and show at least three years of tax returns.

Informing the council of your move

If you’re keeping your UK home while living abroad, you should contact your local council to inform them of your move as soon as possible. The main reason for this is to prevent you from paying the full amount of council tax while you’re not living at home.

The council will ask for the dates of your move, including if and when you expect to move back to the UK. You’ll need to specify whether you plan on living in the UK for part of the year or if your property will be unoccupied for the foreseeable future. During the period of inoccupancy, you’ll receive a 50% discount on your council tax.