How to Leave the UK
The step-by-step playbook for Brits who've decided to leave. Not "think about leaving" — actually leave. In order.
Moving abroad from the UK involves ~30 things nobody tells you until you've already made 10 expensive mistakes. This page puts them in order. The timeline assumes 3–9 months from decision to departure — rushing creates tax problems, pension problems, and healthcare gaps that cost more than the move itself.
Phase 1: Research (months 1–2)
Pick your destination
Use data, not Instagram. Visa requirements, cost of living, healthcare quality, language barrier, and pension uprating status matter more than weather. Take the Townleap quiz.
Understand your visa path
Post-Brexit, every EU country requires a visa (except Ireland under CTA). Check requirements for your specific situation — employed, self-employed, retired, or remote worker.
Review your pension position
State pension: check uprating status in your target country. Workplace pension: confirm it's payable abroad. Consider QROPS — but get advice before committing.
Talk to an expat-specialist IFA
Before you leave, not after. They'll advise on SRT planning, pension portability, ISA status, and DTA provisions. A good expat IFA costs £500–£2,000 for the initial review.
Phase 2: Prepare (months 2–4)
Apply for your visa
Processing times vary: Ireland (none needed), Portugal D7 (4–8 weeks), Spain DNV (4–8 weeks), Australia skilled visa (3–6 months). Some require apostilled documents — add 2–4 weeks.
Plan your SRT exit
Time your departure date carefully. Leaving near the start of the tax year (6 April) maximises the benefit of split-year treatment. Reduce UK ties: let or sell property, move family, stop UK employment.
Set up banking infrastructure
Open a Wise account for multi-currency banking. Keep your UK account for Direct Debits and UK income. Research destination-country banks. Don't close UK credit cards — keep your credit history alive.
Arrange health insurance
Buy expat insurance or travel insurance to cover the gap. If you're a state pensioner, apply for an S1 form via NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. Get a full medical, dental, and eye check on the NHS before you leave.
Handle property and council tax
Sell, let, or keep. Inform your council of the departure date. If letting, the tenant pays council tax. If keeping empty, budget for the standard rate or premium.
Phase 3: Execute (months 4–6)
Move your money
Use Wise or OFX, not your bank's wire transfer. Convert enough for deposit + 3 months upfront. Move the rest in 2–4 tranches. On £200k, Wise saves £3,000–5,000 vs. bank transfers.
Establish residency
Register at the local town hall / mairie / ayuntamiento. Get your tax ID (NIF, NIE, numéro fiscal). Open a local bank account. These three unlock everything else.
File P85 with HMRC
Complete the 'Leaving the UK' form. This establishes your departure date for tax purposes. File Self Assessment for the departure year if required.
Register for local healthcare
Present your S1 form (if pensioner) or private insurance. Register at the local health centre. Use private cover during any gap period.
Register pension providers as non-resident
Notify your UK pension providers of your new tax residence. Under most DTAs, this removes UK tax withholding on pension drawdowns — the income is taxable only in your new country.
Phase 4: Settle (months 6+)
Build local credit history
Your UK credit score doesn't transfer. Start with a secured card or the Amex Global Card Transfer. Budget 6–12 months before you look normal to a local lender.
File your first dual-country tax return
UK: Self Assessment for the departure year (split-year treatment if applicable). New country: register and file according to local deadlines. Keep records of days in each country.
Track your citizenship timeline
Most EU countries require 5–10 years of continuous legal residence. Gaps can reset the clock. Start tracking from your registration date, not your arrival date.
Pick your destination
Country-specific guides with visa paths, pension treatment, and city data
❓ Common Questions
How long does it take to move abroad from the UK?▾
Plan for 3–9 months from decision to departure. Visa processing takes 2–12 weeks depending on the country (Ireland: instant under CTA; Spain: 4–8 weeks; Australia: 3–6 months for skilled visas). SRT tax planning, pension review, healthcare transition, and property decisions each take time. The tax year runs April–April, so timing your departure around 5/6 April can be advantageous for split-year treatment.
What's the cheapest country for Brits to move to?▾
Portugal and Greece have the lowest cost of living among popular British-expat destinations, with monthly expenses of $1,200–1,800 for a single person. Spain is mid-range at $1,400–2,000. France varies dramatically by location ($1,000 rural to $2,500+ Paris). Australia and Dubai are comparable to or more expensive than London. See our cost-of-living data for exact numbers.
Can I keep my UK bank account after moving abroad?▾
Yes, and you should. Most UK banks (HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds) maintain accounts for customers with overseas addresses, though some may restrict account types. Monzo and Starling operate in a grey area — terms technically require UK residence, but enforcement varies. Keep a UK account for receiving any UK income, managing Direct Debits during transition, and visiting. Open a Wise account for multi-currency banking.
Do I need to tell HMRC I'm leaving?▾
Yes. Complete form P85 (Leaving the UK) after departure. This notifies HMRC of your departure date and helps establish non-resident status. If you have Self Assessment obligations, file a return for the departure year and claim split-year treatment if applicable. Register as non-resident with your pension providers to avoid UK tax withholding (where DTA applies).
Not sure where to go?
16 questions. 2 minutes. We'll rank every city in our database for your specific priorities.
Take the quiz →