Everyday living services for people settling in the UK

For most new arrivals, an eSIM activated before you land is the easiest option — you get a working UK number and data from the moment you step off the plane, with no need to find a shop or wait for a SIM to be delivered. If you prefer a physical SIM, SIM-only pay-as-you-go plans from networks like EE, O2 and Vodafone require no contract and no credit check, making them ideal if you don't yet have a UK credit history. Once you are settled and have a bank account, a monthly rolling SIM-only contract typically offers better value.

When you move into a rented or purchased property in the UK, the existing energy supplier continues to supply the property automatically — you don't need to do anything immediately. You should contact the supplier to register yourself as the new account holder and take meter readings on move-in day. You can then switch to a different supplier if you want a better tariff — comparison sites like Uswitch and MoneySuperMarket make this straightforward. For broadband, the main providers are BT, Sky, Virgin Media and a range of smaller providers — installation typically takes 1–2 weeks, so it's worth ordering early. If you are a new homeowner and the boiler is old or unreliable, getting it replaced before winter is strongly recommended.

Whether you can use your overseas licence depends on where it was issued. If you hold a licence from a "designated country" — including the USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan and most EU states — you can drive in the UK on that licence and exchange it for a UK licence without retaking your test. If your licence is from a country not on the designated list, you can drive on it for 12 months from when you became a UK resident, but after that you must pass the UK driving test. In either case, you will need UK car insurance, which requires a UK address. If you need to take the UK test, intensive driving courses can significantly speed up the process.

Before buying any used car in the UK, run a vehicle history check through a service like the DVLA's free MOT history checker and a paid HPI check, which reveals outstanding finance, write-off history and mileage discrepancies. Check that the car has a valid MOT (the UK's annual roadworthiness certificate) and that the V5C logbook is present and matches the seller's details. Also consider taking out a used car warranty — particularly if buying from a private seller rather than a dealer — as this protects you against unexpected mechanical failures in the months after purchase. New arrivals often underestimate how quickly repair costs can add up on an unfamiliar vehicle in an unfamiliar country.

The TV licence is required if you watch live television on any device or use BBC iPlayer — it currently costs £174.50 per year and applies to your address, not per person. If you only use streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ or YouTube and never watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you do not need a licence. Beyond the BBC, the UK's main free-to-air channels — ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 — all have their own on-demand apps and are free to use. For news, the BBC, Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph are widely read. For families settling in with children, children's magazine subscriptions are a particularly good way to help younger arrivals connect with British culture.