Leaving the UK
You've moved past the pub conversation about moving to Spain and started googling visa requirements. That's either a mid-life crisis or the most sensible thing you've done since voting with your feet became the only vote that counts.
This page is for Brits who've moved past "I should leave" and into "where do I actually go, and what happens to my pension?" We're not selling you anything. We're not going to tell you which country has the best sunsets. We're going to tell you which ones will let you in now that you need a visa for the continent next door, what it'll cost, and whether your NHS-shaped expectations will survive first contact with a foreign healthcare system.
The decision frame for leaving post-Brexit Britain is unique. You lost freedom of movement in 2021 — the right to live and work in 27 EU countries vanished overnight. You're now a third-country national everywhere except Ireland. Every European destination requires a visa, proof of income, and private health insurance just to get started. Meanwhile, the cost of living in the UK keeps climbing, the NHS waiting lists keep growing, and your state pension's triple lock is one chancellor's autumn statement away from being "reviewed."
Below: the destinations that make the most sense for Brits, ranked by our data. Every number comes from real sources. Nothing invented, nothing sponsored.
The numbers don't lie
Side-by-side for the countries Brits actually move to
| Country | UK visa difficulty | Path to PR | Citizenship | Partner can work? | Language | Avg rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 5 yr | ✅ Yes | Very High | $1,358 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Some paperwork | 3 yr | 3 yr | ✅ Yes | Very High | $1,631 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 7 yr | ⚠️ Separate permit | High | $737 |
| 🇫🇷 France | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 5 yr | ✅ Yes | Moderate | $1,110 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 10 yr | ✅ Yes | Moderate | $1,355 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Unknown | — | — | — | English | $2,198 |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | Smooth sailing | 2 yr | 5 yr | ✅ Yes | Very High | $2,522 |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Some paperwork | — | — | ⚠️ Separate permit | Moderate | $2,288 |
Rents are city-centre 1BR averages across all tracked cities in each country. Visa difficulty rated for UK passport holders specifically.
Where Brits actually go
One paragraph each. Click through for the full breakdown.
Portugal has become the other default. Cheaper than Spain, English-friendly, and the D7 Visa works for anyone with passive income (even a modest UK pension). Lisbon's gotten expensive but Porto is reasonable, and the Algarve is basically a British colony. Five years to citizenship, dual nationality allowed, and once you're Portuguese you're EU again. NHR tax status has been restricted since 2024 but existing holders are grandfathered. The bureaucracy is slow but the seafood compensates.
Canada appeals to Brits the way it appeals to Americans — same language, similar culture, colder winters. Express Entry is the primary path for skilled workers. Toronto and Vancouver are expensive; Montreal is the value option if you can do French. The points system is transparent: age, education, language, work experience. PR in about 3 years, citizenship in 4 after that. Your UK state pension is frozen in Canada (no bilateral uprating agreement) — same problem as Australia.
Greece is the budget Mediterranean option. Lower cost of living than Spain or Portugal, and the Golden Visa (€250k property investment) grants immediate residency. The non-dom flat tax (€100k on all foreign income for 15 years) is exceptional for pension drawdowns. Athens has improved dramatically since the crisis years. Seven years to citizenship, dual nationality allowed. The healthcare system is adequate but not NHS-level — private insurance is recommended.
France is closer than you think — London to Paris in 2h15 by Eurostar. The visa path is well-established: the Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) for retirees, employed, or self-employed. Nice and the Côte d'Azur are the classic British choices; Lyon is the underrated option. Five years to citizenship, dual nationality allowed, and France's healthcare system is consistently ranked world's best. Property is available at every price point. The catch: B1 French is required for citizenship, and the French aren't known for their patience with broken French.
Spain is the default British expat destination for a reason. 300,000+ Brits already live there — mostly along the costas and in the Balearics. Post-Brexit, you need a visa: the Digital Nomad Visa (€2,334/mo income) or Non-Lucrative Visa (passive income, no working). Valencia is the value play, Barcelona and Madrid are the city options, and the Costas are the retirement default. Ten years to citizenship, but Spain doesn't allow dual nationality with the UK — you'd have to renounce. The Beckham Law (flat 24% tax for 6 years) sweetens the deal considerably.
Australia is the furthest but the most culturally familiar. English-speaking, high quality of life, and Sydney has a British expat population larger than most British cities. The Working Holiday Visa is easy if you're under 35. After that, you need skills: the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or employer sponsorship. Five years to PR is typical; citizenship after 4 years of PR. Major downside: your UK state pension is frozen at the rate when you arrive — no annual increases. On a 30-year retirement, that's devastating.
Ireland is the easy one — the Common Travel Area means no visa, no registration, no restrictions on work. You can move to Dublin tomorrow. It's the only destination where Brexit changed absolutely nothing for UK citizens. The healthcare system isn't as good as the NHS (GP visits cost €55–65 unless means-tested), but it's accessible from day one. Property prices in Dublin are brutal. Five years to citizenship, dual nationality allowed. The cultural adjustment is approximately zero, which is either a feature or a bug.
Dubai is the tax-free option. Zero income tax, zero capital gains tax, zero tax on your UK pension drawdowns. The Golden Visa (10-year residency) requires property investment (AED 2M / ~£430k) or qualifying employment. British expats are the largest Western community in Dubai. Cost of living is high but offset by zero tax. The catch: no path to citizenship, ever. You're renting your right to exist, and the government can revoke your visa without explanation. For settlers, not nomads, that's the question.
Also worth a look
Cyprus — 80,000+ British expats already there. English is widely spoken, the weather's Mediterranean, and the cost of living is lower than Spain or Portugal. EU member state, so citizenship (after 7 years) restores freedom of movement. Property is cheap by UK standards. Downside: the north is still politically complicated. New Zealand — English-speaking, stable democracy, incredible scenery. The Skilled Migrant Category visa requires a job offer and points. Far from everything — 24-hour flights to the UK. Your state pension is frozen (no bilateral uprating agreement). Italy — Cheaper than France, better food than everywhere. EU Long-Term Resident status after 5 years, but citizenship requires 10. The flat tax regime (€100k on all foreign income) is exceptional for pension drawdowns.
The leaving-the-UK playbook
Deep dives on the pension, healthcare, tax, and practical gotchas. Each one targets the exact question you'll Google at 2 AM.
The Brexit elephant in the room
Before 2021, you could move to any EU country with nothing more than your passport. Now you're a third-country national — treated the same as someone from Brazil or Japan. Every EU destination requires a visa, proof of income or employment, and private health insurance.
What you lost
- Right to live and work in 27 EU countries
- EHIC (replaced by limited GHIC)
- Automatic pension uprating in EU states
- Right to buy property without restrictions
- 90/180-day rule now applies (Schengen)
What survived
- Ireland: Common Travel Area (full rights)
- S1 form: pensioner healthcare in EU
- Withdrawal Agreement: protects pre-2021 movers
- Bilateral DTAs: still prevent double taxation
- UK passport: still visa-free tourism (90 days)
The silver lining: EU citizenship through residence is the long game. Portugal and France offer it after 5 years, Greece after 7. Once you're an EU citizen, freedom of movement is fully restored — and your British passport stays valid because those countries allow dual nationality.
Good news: the UK doesn't follow you
Unlike the US (which taxes citizens forever, everywhere), the UK taxes based on residency. Once you leave — properly leave, via the Statutory Residence Test — you stop paying UK income tax on foreign earnings. This is the single biggest advantage British expats have over American ones.
Statutory Residence Test (SRT)
- Automatic overseas test: fewer than 16 days in the UK (or 46 days if not resident for prior 3 years)
- Automatic UK test: 183+ days = UK resident
- Sufficient ties test: between 16–182 days, depends on how many UK ties you maintain (family, accommodation, work, 90-day presence, country tie)
- Split-year treatment available for year of departure
What HMRC still cares about
- UK rental income: taxed at source (20% basic, 40% higher) via Non-Resident Landlord Scheme
- UK property sales: non-resident CGT at 18%/24%, file within 60 days of completion
- UK pension drawdowns: taxable if from a UK source, subject to DTA relief
- 5-year rule: return within 5 tax years and previously avoided gains become taxable
Moving with pounds sterling
Your 750 Experian score, your Help to Buy ISA, and your credit card with Avios points. All worthless abroad. Here's how to not lose 3% of your savings to bank transfer fees.
💱 Moving £200k without losing £6,000 to fees
Your high-street bank will happily wire your money abroad. They'll also happily skim 1–3% off the exchange rate. On £200k that's £2,000–£6,000. Here's what actually works:
Wise (best for most)
- Mid-market rate, no markup
- ~0.35–0.50% fee on £100k
- GBP → EUR, USD, AUD, AED all supported
- ≈£350–500 on £100k
OFX (large sums)
- £0 fee above £10k transfers
- 0.4–1.0% FX margin
- Dedicated dealer for large moves
- ≈£400–1,000 on £100k
Revolut Metal (if subscribed)
- Unlimited fee-free exchange
- £13.99/mo subscription
- 1% weekend surcharge — convert weekdays
- ≈£14–140 on £100k (weekday)
High-street bank (avoid)
- £25–40 CHAPS/wire fee per transfer
- 0.5–3.0% hidden FX markup
- Intermediary bank fees £10–25
- ≈£500–3,000+ on £100k
Strategy: don't move it all at once
Convert enough for immediate needs (deposit, first 3 months) upfront. Move the rest in 2–4 tranches over subsequent months. This isn't timing the market — it's not betting your entire savings on one day's GBP/EUR rate. Set a rate alert on Wise and execute when it hits your target. Sterling volatility post-Brexit is real — the pound lost 10% overnight after the referendum and has never fully recovered.
UK reporting (much simpler than the US)
The UK has no FATCA equivalent. Moving your own money abroad is not taxable and triggers no additional reporting requirements. You don't need to report foreign bank accounts to HMRC (unless they generate taxable UK income). This is one area where leaving the UK is dramatically simpler than leaving the US.
📊 Your ISA, pension, and investments
ISAs don't travel. Once you become non-UK resident, you can't contribute to ISAs — but existing ones remain open and tax-free. The money continues growing, you just can't add more.
What stays
- Existing ISA balance (tax-free growth continues)
- UK workplace/personal pensions (stay invested)
- UK state pension entitlement (payable worldwide)
- Premium Bonds (still valid, prizes still paid)
What changes
- No new ISA contributions as non-resident
- Some platforms close accounts (HL, ii may restrict)
- Your new country may tax ISA gains (check DTA)
- QROPS transfer may be tax-efficient for pensions
💳 Your credit score dies at the border
Experian, Equifax, TransUnion — all domestic. Your 999 ClearScore means nothing in Barcelona. You'll start from scratch.
The one exception: Amex Global Card Relationship
American Express lets existing UK cardholders apply for a card in their new country using their UK history. Not a credit score transfer — just Amex vouching for you internally. Available in Spain, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, and 15+ other countries.
Keep your UK bank account. Most high-street banks let you maintain a UK account with a foreign address — useful for receiving any UK income, managing Direct Debits during the transition, and keeping your Monzo/Starling card for when you visit. Wise gives you local bank details in EUR, AUD, USD, and 30+ currencies — open one before you leave.
The council tax clean-cut
Council tax doesn't care about your feelings. If you own UK property, you pay — whether you live there or not. Councils can charge 100–300% premiums on homes empty for 2+ years.
Leaving cleanly
- Inform your council of the exact departure date
- If selling: council tax ends on completion date
- If letting: tenant becomes liable (write it into the tenancy)
- If keeping empty: apply for any short-term exemption, then budget for the standard rate (or premium)
- Electoral roll: you can register as an overseas voter for 15 years after leaving
Head-to-head
The comparisons Brits actually search for
Not sure where to start?
16 questions. 2 minutes. We'll rank every city in our database for your specific priorities — including the ones on this page.
Take the quiz →❓ Brits Moving Abroad — Common Questions
What is the easiest country for Brits to move to after Brexit?▾
Ireland is the only country that doesn't require a visa for UK citizens — the Common Travel Area survived Brexit intact, giving you full rights to live, work, and access healthcare. Beyond that, Portugal's D7 Visa (passive income) and Spain's Digital Nomad Visa are the most straightforward options. France has a generous visa policy for UK nationals with income. Australia's Working Holiday Visa is easy if you're under 35, but the permanent path is harder.
Do I still pay UK tax if I move abroad?▾
Unlike the US, the UK taxes based on residency, not citizenship. Once you pass the Statutory Residence Test as non-resident (typically by spending fewer than 16 days in the UK, or fewer than 46 days if you haven't been resident for 3+ years), you stop paying UK income tax on most foreign income. Capital gains on UK property remain taxable. You'll need to file a Self Assessment for the tax year of departure. HMRC's split-year treatment can apply.
What happens to my NHS coverage if I leave the UK?▾
It ends. Once you're no longer ordinarily resident in the UK, you lose NHS entitlement. The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) covers emergency treatment in the EU only — not routine care. If you're a UK state pensioner, the S1 form gives you access to the host country's public system in EU/EEA countries. Everyone else needs private insurance until local coverage kicks in.
Can I transfer my UK pension abroad?▾
Your UK state pension is payable worldwide. But annual uprating (triple lock increases) only applies in countries with bilateral agreements — mainly the EU, EEA, USA, and others. In Australia and Canada it's frozen at the rate when you left. Private pensions can be transferred via QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) — but post-Brexit, transfers to EU schemes may attract a 25% overseas transfer charge. Get specialist advice before moving.
Do I still need to pay council tax on my UK property?▾
If you keep a UK property, council tax is still due — whether you live there or not. If the property is empty, you may get a short exemption (varies by council, usually 1–3 months) before the standard rate applies. Some councils charge a 100–300% premium on properties empty for 2+ years. Selling before you leave eliminates this. If you let it out, the tenant pays council tax.
Can I get EU citizenship through a European country?▾
Yes, and for many Brits this is the long game — restoring the freedom of movement that Brexit removed. Portugal and France offer citizenship after 5 years of legal residence. Ireland requires 5 years and allows dual nationality (plus the CTA makes it easy to establish residency). Greece requires 7 years. Spain requires 10 years and does NOT allow dual nationality with the UK — you'd have to renounce. Most require a language test.
How do I move £200,000 abroad without losing thousands to bank fees?▾
Don't use your high-street bank's international transfer — they'll bury 1–3% in the exchange rate. On £200k that's £2,000–£6,000. Use Wise (0.35–0.50%, mid-market rate) or OFX ($0 fee above $10k, tighter margins). Don't convert everything at once — split into 3–4 tranches over a few months to average out the rate. Set a rate alert and execute when it hits your target. Moving your own money abroad isn't taxable, but opening foreign accounts triggers no UK reporting obligations (unlike the US — the UK has no FATCA equivalent for citizens).