Moving abroad which country

Did you know some countries and places will pay you to move there in ? What are the best countries and cities for expats in ? Moving abroad from the UK Nearly , British citizens were living in other European countries before the pandemic, according to latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Moving abroad from the UK during the COVID pandemic A key consideration before you move abroad in is the changes brought about by the pandemic. What are the best countries for Brits after Brexit? Find out who made the list.

Are there any changes to employment for British expats in ? What about changes to healthcare for British expats in ? Learn more about how Brexit will impact expats. How to move abroad: top tips from expats and a handy checklist We have listed below the most important stages of moving abroad and becoming an expats, together with some tips from people who have already moved abroad.

Visa and staying legally in the new country Brits are lucky than many other nations in the sense that British passport gives you access to living in a lot of countries around the world. Language If you speak multiple foreign languages, the world is your oyster.

For example: Look into virtual language classes. Online classes are becoming a part of everyday life. Companies such as SkyEng offer online classes that support you in learning a new language. Use language apps. There is an app for everything these days, including ones to help you learn a language. We recommend dipping into Duolingo or Memrise to get yourself more familiar with another language. Both apps are free, and make learning a language feel like less of a chore. Immerse yourself in the language digitally.

Meg Jerrard , expat blogger, content creator for Mappingmegan. Before you get settled into your new home, you should also set up an international account. You can either leave your pension in the UK, or transfer it to an approved arrangement in your new country of residence. But before you move, you must inform your current pension holder. However, you cannot put money into it after the tax year following your move. Expat taxes. Whether or not you have to pay expat taxes will depend on your own personal circumstances.

A foreign adventure is always exciting, but every adventure should come with a safety net. There are global expat websites which divide into area-specific communities. Looking for expat health insurance? Learn more about our plans. Check what restrictions are in place if you need to get back to your home country quickly. If you are moving with a job offer in place, be ready to research corporate culture and customs in the new country.

However, you need to find out about your deposit and rent — sometimes you will have to commit to paying the full 6 months or even 1 year rent to secure the property, so it might be easier to get a hotel or Airbnb to explore the area before you get a property contract signed. It helps to know some of the language too. Research helps! Make sure all your medical appointments are up to date before you go, and that you have sufficient medication. Make sure you have researched the healthcare system in the new country.

You can usually vote in UK elections if you move or retire abroad. Thinking of moving abroad in ? Subscribe for more Liked this article? Subscribe to get the latest updates in your inbox, with no spam. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related articles. Expat life. An essential relocation guide with a checklist on living and moving to Mexico as an expat. Expat life Personal finance. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. If you continue your visit, we'll assume you're happy to receive our cookies.

Continue Read more. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you are heading outside of Europe, you need to request an International Driving Permit which you can do from the Post Office.

The International Driving Permit as an annual permit which is recognised internationally, and normally allows the holder to drive a a car or other motor vehicle when accompanied with a valid UK driving licence. It is important that you check with your new country of residence before you travel as you may need to apply for a local driving license as well.

Currency fluctuations and transaction fees can mean that if you earn or spend money, you could be paying unnecessarily.

To avoid this you should initially open an international bank account which is specifically designed to assist with the movement of money.

We also believe it is sensible to open a local bank account which helps with day to day banking. One question we're regularly asked is whether you should close your UK bank account s.

In our opinion it depends on your circumstances. If you have ongoing transactions in the UK for example direct debits or income from rent , it would be best to keep the account open. Also consider if you plan to return to the UK, you will need to open a bank account in the future - so it may be just as wise to keep your account open rather than having to open a new one in the future. You may also be able to open an Expat Bank account. Specifically designed for expats, these accounts allow you to hold money in multiple currencies.

Typically, they are accounts which are neither in the UK or in your country of residence and could allow you flexibility to suit your expat status. If you are planning to retire abroad, your pension is going to be one of your most important factors.

There are a number of things to know about Expat Pensions , which we've extensively detailed on this site. If you have pensions other than your State Pension, you should request a Pension Health Check if you're going abroad long-term or forever and may not return to the UK before you become eligible for your pension.

As an Expat, depending on your plans, you may have unique opportunities available to you and an adviser will be able to discuss each of the options enabling you to make a decision. If you currently have an ISA and are planning to move abroad, you may not be eligible to carry on paying into it while you're away. However, there are a number of things you should consider such as whether you want to keep your ISA while you live abroad, payments before you move and whether you are returning to the UK at some point in the future.

If you are serious about moving abroad, you should get professional advice on your options to ensure you continue to get the best return on your investments, both now and in the future. If you are considering retiring abroad, it is important that you plan your estate and what happens to it when you die. Different countries have different rules when it comes to tax and estate planning.

The first step is to create a will. But also seek advice from a financial adviser who will be able to help you manage your estate to ensure you minimise the various tax liabilities, including UK Inheritance Tax. You don't want to miss important post, so you'll need to set up a mail redirection at the Post Office as soon as you know where you'll be living.

There are charges to organise this, but the Post Office will redirect your mail for up to twelve months. Let your utility providers know that you are leaving. If you're keeping your home in Britain and renting it out, you should also let your insurance company know this. Your existing policy may not cover the rental of the home. If you're still paying a mortgage on the property, you should also let your mortgage provider know. Let the local authority know that you will be leaving and give them your new address so they can send you your Council Tax bill.

There is a lot to think of when you're planning to go and live or work abroad, and not all of it is obvious. As with anything, when people move abroad they will often make mistakes. However, most are avoidable. Find out what the most common mistakes British expats make when moving abroad , and avoid making the same mistakes. Even as an expat you have an important role to play in the UK voting system.

After all UK government policy will still affect you via taxation, immigration policy and foreign affairs. This is even more important if you maintain assets in the UK. Find out about expat voting and how to vote in the UK when you live abroad. Gain expert guidance to help you better plan for your financial future, with independent financial advice tailored specifically to you. As an expat who has been living outside the UK for 30 years, it was reassuring to speak to a representative of your company who seemed to have his clients interest at heart, especially when the client has no expertise in finances and investment.

I learned a lot from the consultant, including very simple things like what inflation is! He explained things very clearly and did not mind explaining simple things. The world is a big place with thousands of cities, programs, and work opportunities to choose from. How could you ever come to a final conclusion on the best places to live abroad for a year? Sometimes, big decisions are made easier by constraining the number of available options. To help you narrow down the possibilities, we have selected the nine best places to live abroad for a year.

These countries include some of the best English speaking countries to move to, some of the cheapest places for expats to live, and the best countries for expats to work, study, volunteer, or travel. By the end, you should have a good sense of where do American expats go and why those locations have ended up as expat favorites. To come up with you list, we chose countries that we thought covered a range of different experiences.

In terms of culture, we wanted to provide locales that both promise to give a culture shock for those who are feeling adventurous as well as more conservative locations for those who may be heading out abroad for the first time.

We also know from experience that people often rank language acquisition as an important part of their international experience, so we wanted to provide as many locales as possible whose primary language is not English but has a high utility and might carry weight as a professional.

And finally, we picked locations that have a ton of programs options to choose from and where we get some of our best reviews and feedback.

We want to help narrow down your options by providing a list of some of the best places to live abroad for a year based on where American expats tend to go and where they report having the most positive experiences. Oh Spain. Is it your beautiful cities, your delicious wine, your world renowned tapas, or your flowery language that steals our heart? Por que no los todos? Either way, Spain is a popular live abroad destination for a reason. Yes, please , while also harboring a distinct culture with a unique language and food scene.

Where do American expats go? With a completely foreign culture, incredible culinary scene, and home of a highly valued language in the professional world, there are a million and one reasons that China is not only a great place to live abroad for a year personally, but also professionally. It is so cliche to dream about eating a French croissant sitting in the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower And with fantastic universities, amazing hospitality internships, and cultural exchange programs all offered, France offers almost every living abroad for a year experience anyone could ask for.

And also… the croissants. Interested in experiencing a developing economy and one of the largest economies in South America? What about learning a foreign language? Living at the beach? If so, Brazil has it all. With study abroad programs ranging from studying environmental conservation to business as well as plenty of work opportunities thanks to a growing economy, there are tons of opportunities in Brazil. And when you are done with your work and studies, there is a colorful culture to delve into.

Students, workaway travelers, and professionals can all find opportunities down under. With incredible but hot! Australia is without a douubt one of the best English speaking countries to move to. Head to the cities to feel that you have entered the future and head to the countryside to transport back to a simpler time. And with an aging population, work opportunities abound, making Japan one of the best countries for expats to work.

If you are wondering where do American expats go? Britain is great for those not ready for an exotic locale but definitely in need of a change of scenery. Without a language barrier, Great Britain is one of the best countries for expats to work and one of the best English speaking countries to move to. With ancient streets, a storied history and plenty of sites to see, you likely will end your year in Britain wishing for more. Home to london, one of the financial capitals of the world as well as being home to some of the world best universities, living in london can also provide an academic or professional boost on top of all that culture.

Beautiful and harsh, chaotic and peaceful, modernizing and traditional, India is constantly in flux and no two days living here are the same. India will give you all the culture you can handle: home to 22 languages, nine recognized religions, and 1, recognized political parties, living in India is an incredibly rich experience.