Complete guides for moving, working & living in the UK
Clear, practical guides for every stage of moving to the UK — from visas and housing to the NHS, employment rights and everyday life. Written by expat specialists and aligned with the latest GOV.UK guidance.
Start with our most important guides
UK visa routes explained clearly
The primary route for qualified overseas workers — sponsorship, salary thresholds, eligibility and the full application process explained.
Fast-track NHS and care sector entry — reduced fees, no IHS and a clear, structured path to settlement in Britain.
Visa routes, work permits and ETA requirements for European nationals navigating UK immigration after Brexit.
Understanding UK healthcare as an expat
How ambulances work, when to use A&E or urgent care, waiting times and what expats should expect from emergency NHS services.
How much prescriptions cost, who is exempt, prepayment certificates and what expats need to know about ongoing medication expenses.
Family healthcare explained — what to arrange before and after arrival, maternity care, children's health and what the NHS covers for families.
Moving to the
UK from the USA?
A dedicated suite of guides for US citizens covering ETA, visas, taxes, healthcare and everything Americans need to know about life in Britain.
See all US guides →Plan your move to Britain
Air, sea and road options — everything you need to know about getting your possessions to Britain, including customs relief and ToR1 forms.
Vehicles, customs paperwork, ferry and tunnel options, transit times and costs for moving from mainland Europe to the UK by road.
Containers, UK ports, transit times, costs and what to expect when shipping your possessions to Britain by sea freight.
Find trusted expat services in our directory
Car insurance, international money transfers, financial advisers and Companies House — the services newcomers in the UK rely on most, all in one place.
Every aspect of life in Britain covered
Skilled Worker, family, student and settlement visas. Post-Brexit EU routes, ETA rules, ILR and British citizenship explained clearly.
Explore visa guides →Complete relocation planning — shipping belongings, customs relief, housing setup and everything needed to settle in Britain.
Explore relocation guides →UK job market, employment rights, NI registration, UK-style CVs, pension contributions and all work visa routes explained.
Explore work guides →GP registration, NHS eligibility, prescription costs, private healthcare, the IHS, emergency care and healthcare for families.
Explore healthcare guides →Cost of living, best places to live, education, driving licences, culture and the everyday realities of life in Britain.
Explore living guides →Car insurance, money transfers, financial services and the trusted providers expats and newcomers in the UK rely on most.
Browse the directory →Written by specialists.
Built for real people.
Moving to the UK is an independent editorial resource built for expats, international residents and anyone navigating life in Britain. Every guide is written by a subject specialist and sourced against official UK government guidance.
We are not a legal firm. We are an editorial team committed to making UK systems — visas, employment, healthcare, housing — genuinely navigable for the people who need that information most.
Find work, understand your rights, get started
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Everything you need to work legally in Britain — visa routes, employment rights, job market guides, NI numbers, tax and pay explained.
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Job boards, recruitment agencies, sectors hiring internationally and what UK employers actually look for — a practical starting point for expat job hunters.
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What right to work checks are, which documents you need, how employers verify your status and what happens if your visa is pending.
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Explore every aspect of life in Britain
How to find a rental, what landlords require, tenancy agreements, deposits and your rights as a tenant in England, Scotland and Wales.
High-street banks vs digital accounts, what ID you need, and how to bank in the UK when you've just arrived without a credit history.
Region-by-region breakdown of what life in Britain actually costs — from London to Leeds — with budgeting benchmarks for newcomers.
How UK income tax works, NI contributions, PAYE, self-assessment and what to do when you first arrive and start work in Britain.
Everything newcomers need to know about UK workplace rights — minimum wage, holiday entitlement, notice periods and unfair dismissal rules.
Why you need a NI number, how to apply, what to say to your employer in the meantime, and how long the process takes.
How to exchange a foreign driving licence, what car insurance you need, UK road rules and how to drive legally in Britain from day one.
State vs independent schools, how to apply for a school place, the admissions timeline and what UK education looks like at each stage.
How council tax is calculated, who pays it, how to register, discounts and exemptions, and what happens if you move between councils.
Frequently asked by people planning a move to the UK
Most non-UK nationals require a visa to live and work in Britain. Common routes include the Skilled Worker visa, family visa, student visa and Health & Care Worker visa. EU citizens post-Brexit also need a visa to work in the UK.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required from 2025 for nationals of many countries visiting without a visa, including the US and EU. It costs £10, links to your passport and covers multiple trips for two years.
Most people on a visa longer than six months pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) with their application, giving full NHS access on the same basis as UK residents. You need to register with a local GP to access most services.
Costs vary significantly by region. London is most expensive, with one-bedroom flat rents typically £1,500–£2,500 per month in Zone 2. Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are considerably more affordable.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is typically available after five years of continuous lawful residence. British citizenship by naturalisation usually requires one further year, so most people are eligible after six years in total.
Yes. US citizens can move via the Skilled Worker visa, family visa, student visa or Ancestry visa. From 2026, Americans also need a UK ETA before visiting. Our dedicated US citizens section covers every aspect of the move in detail.