Everyday living services for life in the UK

Getting connected with a SIM card, setting up TV, broadband and utilities, buying a car, finding the groceries you miss from home — the practical services that turn a new address into a settled life. Every provider is checked before listing, and the directory is always free to use.

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2026
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Living

Set up the essentials of daily life

From a phone and broadband to groceries, schooling and a car, each area below has its own checked list of providers and guidance on how it works for new arrivals.

Car Sales & Rental

Dealerships, rental firms and driving services for getting on the road in the UK, whether you are buying, leasing or hiring a vehicle.

Buy & Lease Rental Driving Lessons
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Charities & Helplines

Free support services and charities offering advice, crisis help and community assistance for people finding their feet in a new country.

Free Advice Crisis Support Community Aid
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Family Lawyers

Solicitors specialising in family matters — marriage, divorce, child arrangements and related legal advice for individuals and families in the UK.

Divorce Child Arrangements Legal Advice
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Groceries & Food Delivery

Supermarkets and delivery services that bring the weekly shop to your door — useful before you know the local shops or while you settle in.

Supermarkets Home Delivery Meal Kits
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International Grocery Stores

Shops and online stores stocking the ingredients and brands you grew up with, so a taste of home is never far away.

World Foods Home Brands Specialty
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Media & News

British newspapers, broadcasters and news services to help you follow current affairs and understand life in your new home.

Newspapers Broadcasters Current Affairs
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Online Shopping

Trusted retailers and marketplaces for everything from home essentials to electronics, with delivery across the UK.

Retailers Marketplaces Home Goods
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Places of Worship

Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other faith communities where you can continue to practise and find a welcome.

All Faiths Community Services
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Political Organisations

Parties and civic groups for those who want to understand UK politics, engage with representation or get involved in their community.

Civic Groups Engagement Representation
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Pre-Schools & Daycare

Nurseries, pre-schools and daycare providers for the early years — many Ofsted-registered and offering funded hours where eligible.

Nurseries Early Years Funded Hours
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SIM Cards & Mobile Phones

Mobile networks, SIM-only deals and eSIMs to get a UK number and data quickly — pay-as-you-go or contract, on the major networks.

SIM-Only eSIM Pay-As-You-Go
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Summer Camps

Holiday clubs and activity camps that keep children busy and making friends during the school breaks, day or residential.

Holiday Clubs Activities Day & Residential
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TV & Internet Providers

Broadband, fibre and TV providers for getting your home connected — from streaming bundles to full-package deals.

Broadband Fibre TV Bundles
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Utility Providers

Energy and water suppliers for setting up gas, electricity and water at a new address, and comparing tariffs when you move in.

Energy Water Tariffs
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VPNs & Online Services

VPNs and digital tools for privacy, security and accessing the services you rely on from back home while living in the UK.

Privacy Security Home Access
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Questions & answers

Common questions about daily life in the UK

Practical answers on phones, broadband, utilities, groceries, schooling and getting set up after you arrive.

The quickest route is a SIM-only or pay-as-you-go SIM, which gives you a UK number and data without a contract or credit check. You can buy one online before you travel or pick one up in most supermarkets and phone shops on arrival. An eSIM is a good stop-gap if your phone supports it, letting you stay connected from the moment you land while you choose a longer-term plan.
When you move in, contact the existing energy supplier to register in your name and take a meter reading on day one, then compare tariffs before deciding whether to switch. Water is supplied by a single regional company, so there is no choice of provider — you simply register with the one serving your area. Your tenancy agreement or estate agent can usually tell you who currently supplies the property.
If you watch or record live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer, you need a TV Licence by law, regardless of the device you use. It is a separate cost from your broadband or TV package. If you only ever watch on-demand services other than iPlayer, you may not need one, but it is worth checking your viewing habits against the current rules to be sure.
All the major UK supermarkets offer home delivery and click-and-collect, which is useful before you know the local shops or while you settle in. You book a delivery slot online and pay a small fee that varies by time and day. For ingredients from home, international grocery stores — many of which also deliver — stock brands and products the mainstream supermarkets do not.
Some services work normally in the UK, while others restrict content by location. A reputable VPN can help you access the services you already pay for from back home, and adds privacy and security on public networks. Always check the terms of the service you are using, as access rules differ between providers.
Whether you can drive on your existing licence, and for how long, depends on the country that issued it. Some licences can be exchanged directly for a UK one, while others require you to pass a UK theory and practical test within a set period. Check your specific country’s rules on GOV.UK soon after arriving, as the clock often starts from the day you become a resident.
Early-years childcare in the UK includes nurseries, pre-schools and registered childminders, most inspected by Ofsted. Funded hours are available for eligible children from as young as nine months, though entitlement depends on your circumstances and immigration status. Demand for good settings is high in many areas, so it is worth registering interest as early as you can.
The UK is religiously diverse, and most towns and cities have established communities across all major faiths. Many places of worship welcome newcomers warmly and can be a valuable source of community and practical help when you are finding your feet. Local directories and community groups are a good starting point for finding one near you.
It depends how long you will need it and how much you will drive. Renting or a short lease suits a few weeks or months and avoids the upfront cost and admin of ownership. Buying makes more sense for the longer term, though you will need insurance, road tax and an MOT for older vehicles. Factor insurance in early, as premiums for new arrivals can be higher until you build a UK record.
A number of UK charities and helplines offer free, confidential support on everything from money and housing to mental health and legal rights, and many are used to helping people new to the country. You do not need to be in crisis to reach out. If you are unsure where to start, a general advice charity can point you to the right specialist service.

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This page was last updated on 2 June 2026.