Moving Abroad from the UK: Complete 2026 Guide
5.5 million British citizens already live abroad — and 246,000 more left the UK in 2025 alone. Whatever your reason for moving, most destinations need a residence visa — though Ireland, via the Common Travel Area, needs none at all. This hub covers five destinations with full guides, visa comparisons, and free tools.
EES (Entry/Exit System) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. UK citizens crossing EU/Schengen borders must now register biometric data (fingerprints and facial photo) at the border on first crossing. Allow extra time at EU airports — especially during peak travel periods. ETIAS (a €20 pre-travel authorisation, valid 3 years) is expected in late 2026. Neither system affects people with a valid EU residence permit.
Choose Your Destination
Select a guide for full visa requirements, cost of living breakdown, step-by-step timeline, and a free downloadable document checklist.
Spain
from United Kingdom
Portugal
from United Kingdom
France
from United Kingdom
Australia
from United Kingdom
Ireland
from United Kingdom
We also have full guides for Canada, Germany, and Dubai from the UK. Use the Proof of Funds Calculator to check which visas you qualify for. Considering destinations beyond the UK’s usual routes? Compare the best countries to relocate to worldwide.
Why So Many Brits Are Moving Abroad in 2026
An estimated 5.5 million British citizens now live outside the UK — and emigration has remained steady at around 246,000 per year (ONS provisional figures, year ending December 2025). Contrary to popular assumption, the typical British emigrant is not a retiree: around three-quarters of those who left in 2025 were under 35, driven by career opportunities, cost of living, and climate.
Spain is home to approximately 282,000 British-born residents — the largest UK community in continental Europe. Australia hosts over 1.2 million UK nationals. France and Portugal are consistently among the top five UK emigration destinations. Across EU member states, an estimated 1.3 million British citizens now live under a formal residence permit, having made the transition since the UK’s exit from the EU single market.
Brexit changed the rules fundamentally. The UK is now treated as a “third country” in the EU. British nationals can visit any EU or Schengen country for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa — but to live there legally, a residence permit is required. The 90-day allowance is counted cumulatively across all Schengen countries, not per country. Exceeding it without a visa can result in fines or future entry bans. Each destination covered in this hub has a clear, established visa route for UK citizens — the process is more involved than before Brexit, but it is entirely achievable with the right preparation.
In 2025–2026, two new EU border systems further changed the experience of crossing into Europe. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES), fully operational since April 2026, requires all non-EU citizens — including UK nationals — to register biometric data at the border on their first entry into the Schengen Area. This does not affect people holding a valid residence permit. ETIAS, a €20 pre-travel authorisation valid for three years, is expected to launch in late 2026, adding another layer for short-stay visitors. Neither system changes the requirements for obtaining a residence visa.
For those choosing Europe, the financial case is compelling: Portugal and Spain cost 30–40% less than London, and France offers significant lifestyle benefits even where costs are comparable. Australia presents a different equation — major cities there are broadly similar in cost to the UK — but for many Brits the appeal lies in climate, space, and a familiar cultural base. There is, however, one important financial difference that affects retirees specifically.
If you retire to Australia, your UK State Pension is frozen at the rate when you first receive it — it never increases with inflation. After 20 years, the shortfall versus what you would receive remaining in the UK can exceed £7,000 per year. By contrast, if you move to Spain, Portugal, or France, your State Pension continues to receive the same annual triple-lock increases as it would in the UK. This is a significant factor for retirees choosing between Europe and Australia. Read the full Australia guide — pension section before deciding.
Quick Comparison: All Four Destinations (2026)
All income figures in GBP. Approximate — verify at the official consulate before applying.
| Factor | Spain | Portugal | France | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passive / retiree visa | Non-Lucrative (NLV) | D7 Passive Income | VLS-TS Visiteur | ✗ No retiree visa |
| Remote worker visa | Digital Nomad (DNV) | D8 Digital Nomad | ✗ No DNV — remote work banned on Visiteur | Subclass 482 (employer-sponsored) |
| Min income — single | £2,010/mo (NLV) £2,394/mo (DNV) |
£780/mo (D7) ~£3,100/mo (D8) |
~£1,175/mo (Visiteur) | AUD $76,515/yr (skilled) WHV: no income min |
| Processing time | 3–5 months | 6–9 months | 2–3 months | WHV ~14 days Skilled: 9–18 months |
| Background check | DBS Enhanced + FCDO apostille | ACRO NOT DBS | DBS Enhanced | ACRO NOT DBS |
| Cost vs London | ~33% cheaper | 30–40% cheaper | Paris ≈ London; rural up to 40% less |
Sydney/Melbourne ≈ London |
| UK State Pension | ✓ Annual increases | ✓ Annual increases | ✓ Annual increases | ✗ Frozen at claim rate |
| Key 2026 update | Golden Visa ended Apr 2025 | UK–PT DTT in force Jan 2026 | Remote work ban enforced Jun 2025 | Property purchase ban for temp visa holders Apr 2025 |
Portugal and Australia require an ACRO Police Certificate (from acro.police.uk), not a DBS Enhanced check. ACRO takes 42+ days — order it as soon as you decide on your destination. Spain and France accept a DBS Enhanced check with an FCDO apostille stamp.
Wise charges up to 8× less than high-street banks on international transfers. Open your account before you leave the UK and have local currency ready on arrival.
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Use the free Proof of Funds Calculator to check which visas you qualify for based on your monthly income — instantly, no signup needed. Or generate a personalised document checklist with the Visa Checklist Generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — but you now need a residence visa. Since Brexit, the UK is a “third country” in the EU. British nationals can visit any EU or Schengen country for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period without a visa. To live there long-term, you must apply for a long-stay visa before you travel. Spain, Portugal, and France all have well-established visa routes for UK citizens — covered in detail in each guide.
UK nationals are allowed a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day rolling period across the entire Schengen Area — not per country. A week in Spain plus a week in France plus a week in Portugal all count towards the same 90-day limit. Exceeding it without a residence visa is illegal and can result in fines or future entry bans. If you plan to live in Europe permanently, apply for a long-stay visa in your chosen country before travelling.
For passive income and retirees, Portugal’s D7 visa has the lowest income threshold: £780 per month for a single applicant — roughly equivalent to the full UK State Pension (£958/mo). Processing takes 6–9 months. For the fastest processing, France’s VLS-TS Visiteur typically takes 2–3 months, though it prohibits remote working. Ireland is the easiest of all: under the Common Travel Area, British citizens can live, work, and access public services there with no visa required at all.
It depends entirely on your destination. If you move to Spain, Portugal, or France (EU member states), your UK State Pension continues to receive the same annual triple-lock increases as it would in the UK — no financial penalty. If you move to Australia, your pension is frozen at the rate when you first receive it and never increases with inflation. After 20 years, this gap can exceed £7,000 per year versus remaining in the UK or moving to an EU country. Always verify pension implications with the DWP International Pension Centre before committing to Australia.
Your UK tax liability depends on your residency status under the Statutory Residence Test (SRT). Once you become a non-resident, you generally stop paying UK income tax on overseas income. However, UK-source income — rental income from UK property, some UK pension income — may remain taxable in the UK. You must notify HMRC by submitting Form P85 when you leave, and may need to file a Self Assessment with form SA109 (split-year treatment) for the year you depart. Each destination guide covers the applicable double tax treaty and how it interacts with UK obligations.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. All non-EU nationals — including UK citizens — must register biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image) at the EU/Schengen border on their first crossing. This applies to short-stay visitors only; it does not affect people holding a valid EU residence permit. ETIAS, a €20 pre-travel authorisation valid for three years, is expected to launch in late 2026 for short-stay travellers. Neither system replaces or affects your residence visa application. Allow extra time at EU airports until queues stabilise.
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Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the official consulate or embassy of your destination country before applying. This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Last verified June 2026.