Where are people moving to from UK?

Top destinations for UK movers

Spain: the long-time favourite

Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for British expats, with several hundred thousand UK citizens living there (including more than 225,000 whose residence is protected under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement alone).

Coastal areas like the Costa del Sol, Alicante, and Barcelona continue to draw the most movers, and Spain’s appeal goes well beyond retirement. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa remains the standard route for those living on pensions or passive income, while its digital nomad visa (ranked the world’s top scheme for remote workers in 2025) is increasingly popular with professionals who want the lifestyle without giving up their UK income.

Read our full guide to Brits moving to Spain.

Ireland: seamless under the CTA

Ireland stands out because of the Common Travel Area. Unlike every other destination, Brits don’t need visas, residency permits, or income checks.

Several thousand UK citizens move to Ireland in a typical year, with net migration from the UK to Ireland consistently positive. Moves to Dublin, Cork, and Galway are popular among professionals, while many families relocate for work in Ireland’s tech and pharma hubs.

Proximity to the UK also makes Ireland appealing for those wanting change without distance. Explore our removals to Ireland dedicated page.

Australia: work and lifestyle combined

Australia continues to attract skilled professionals, and the figures back it up. According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, over 1.1 million UK-born residents were living in Australia at mid-2024, making it the largest British community anywhere in the world. 2024 also saw nearly 40,000 new arrivals from the UK (the highest annual figure in a decade).

Skilled visas, employer sponsorships, and the Working Holiday Maker route (now open to UK citizens up to age 35 following the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement) are all common pathways. Healthcare, engineering, IT, trades, and education remain the most in-demand sectors for UK workers.

Canada: clear pathways and quality of life

Canada’s Express Entry system remains one of the most structured immigration programmes available to UK professionals, though it has evolved. Draws are now increasingly category-based, prioritising healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, and French-speaking applicants – which actually improves the odds for many UK nurses, engineers, and tradespeople.

Canada is especially appealing to families looking for safe communities and affordable education.

Moves to Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary remain steady, with Calgary offering the best balance of affordability and professional pay, particularly for those in healthcare. See our guide on moving to Canada from the UK.

France: lifestyle and convenience

France continues to be a favourite, particularly for those who want to stay close to the UK.

Retirees are drawn to Provence, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the south coast, while professionals often choose Paris and Lyon. Affordable rural property also attracts families seeking space.

Discover our removals from France to England services.

Portugal: evolving but still a strong choice

Portugal’s D7 passive income visa remains one of the most accessible routes for retirees and those living on investment income, with applicants typically needing to show around €850–870 per month for a single person. The D8 digital nomad visa is still active for remote workers, requiring around €3,500–3,700 per month in remote income.

What has changed is the tax picture: Portugal’s original Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime closed to new applicants at the end of 2023 and has been replaced by a narrower IFICI regime, which still offers a 20% flat tax rate but only for qualifying high-skill professionals in tech, research, and innovation – not for most retirees.

Portugal has shifted its profile somewhat, from a retirement tax haven to a working professional and digital nomad hub, though it remains highly attractive for the right mover.

Best countries by lifestyle goal

• For families: Ireland, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, thanks to schools, healthcare, and strong job markets.
• For careers: Australia, the USA, and the Gulf states, where demand for skilled professionals remains high.
• For retirement: Spain, Portugal, Malta, and Cyprus, combining sunshine with accessible healthcare.

Each of these destinations appeals for different reasons, but all provide thriving expat communities that ease the transition.

Other European destinations

Alongside Spain, France, and Portugal, many Brits are relocating to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Berlin, Amsterdam, and Brussels are hubs for international business, finance, and EU institutions.

Moves to Sweden and Denmark are also rising, especially among families attracted by progressive education and strong social systems.

Migration Observatory data also shows that Poland, Malta, and Romania saw the fastest growth in British resident populations between 2020 and 2024 (if you’re open to less traditional destinations).

USA: global opportunities

The USA continues to attract ambitious professionals despite its strict visa requirements. Popular destinations include New York, California, and Texas. Work visas in finance, healthcare, and tech are key pathways.

New Zealand: safe and family-friendly

With its dramatic scenery and focus on family life, New Zealand appeals to younger families and skilled tradespeople. English-speaking and relatively open, it remains a popular but less common choice compared to Australia.

Switzerland and Norway: high salaries and stability

Switzerland and Norway offer some of the highest salaries and safest living standards in Europe. Zurich, Geneva, and Oslo remain top choices for finance, engineering, and healthcare professionals.

See our dedicated guide to moving to Norway, or explore removals to Switzerland.

UAE and the wider Gulf: tax advantages and expat hubs

Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain magnets for UK professionals. Personal income tax is still zero in the UAE – the 9% corporate tax introduced in 2023 applies to company profits, not employee salaries.

Around 240,000 British nationals now live in Dubai alone, more than double the estimated figure from 2010, making Britons one of the largest Western expat communities in the city.

Beyond the UAE, Qatar (Doha) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Dhahran) are seeing continued demand in energy, healthcare, and education.

Malta and Cyprus: lifestyle choices

For retirees and English speakers, Malta and Cyprus remain appealing. Both offer straightforward residency options, mild climates, and thriving expat communities. And Malta, in particular, has seen one of the fastest-growing British resident populations in Europe in recent years.

Easiest countries for UK citizens to move to

Some destinations involve minimal hurdles, while others require extensive paperwork.

• Ireland – still the simplest move a UK citizen can make, with no visa, no income checks, and full work and residency rights under the Common Travel Area.
• Spain – structured pathways for most types of movers: the Non-Lucrative Visa for those on passive income or pensions, and the digital nomad visa for remote workers, both with clear income thresholds.
• Portugal – the D7 and D8 visas keep Portugal accessible for retirees and remote workers alike, though the old NHR tax regime is closed to new arrivals, which has changed the calculus for purely pension-led moves.
• Malta and Cyprus – both remain straightforward for retirees and English speakers, with residency options that don’t require employment.
• Canada – still points-based and transparent via Express Entry, but the system has become more selective since 2024, with category-based draws favouring healthcare workers, STEM professionals, and skilled tradespeople over more general applicants.

In contrast, moves to the USA, Switzerland, and Australia require higher thresholds for income, skills, and visa approvals (though Australia has eased some routes for UK citizens through the Free Trade Agreement).

Relocation ease isn’t the only factor, but for many families, it can make the difference between a plan and a reality.

Migration trends

According to the ONS’s latest provisional figures, nearly 693,000 people emigrated from the UK in the year to June 2025 – the highest level in recent years. Around 252,000 of those were British nationals, with ONS estimating net emigration of British citizens at approximately 109,000 in that period, meaning more Britons are leaving than returning.

The scale has shifted considerably from earlier estimates, and the direction of travel is clear. Current trends show:

• Europe remains dominant – Spain, Ireland, France, and Germany continue to attract the largest numbers of British movers, consistent with the ease of access and established expat communities.
• Non-EU destinations gaining – Canada, Australia, the USA, and the UAE are all seeing sustained demand, driven by skilled worker pipelines and lifestyle appeal.
• Demographics – the typical British emigrant is a working-age adult, often in their late 20s to 40s, moving for better jobs, higher pay, and lower living costs. Alongside them, there is a steady stream of families with school-age children and retirees heading to Spain, Portugal, France, Australia, and the Gulf.
• London and the South East leading departures – London’s high concentration of mobile professionals and foreign-born residents means it accounts for a disproportionate share of international departures, alongside the South East.
• Fastest-growing British communities – Migration Observatory data shows the steepest growth in British resident populations between 2020 and 2024 was in Poland, Malta, and Romania, rather than the traditional hubs.

The wider picture of net migration has also shifted sharply. Overall net migration to the UK peaked at around 944,000 in the year to March 2023, fell to 345,000 by December 2024, and dropped further to 204,000 in the year to June 2025, with a provisional estimate of around 150,000 by December 2025.

Emigration is gently rising while immigration is falling – which means the UK’s net migration debate is moving in a very different direction from where it was two years ago.

Key things to consider before moving abroad

Every international move involves balancing opportunity with logistics.

• Visas and residency: Ireland remains almost frictionless under the Common Travel Area. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa requires around €28,800 per year in passive income; its digital nomad visa requires around €2,700 per month in remote income. Portugal’s D7 and D8 visas are similarly accessible with clear income thresholds. Canada’s Express Entry is still points-based and transparent, but has become more selective, with category-based draws now favouring healthcare, STEM, and trades applicants.
• Cost of living: Spain is typically around 20–30% cheaper than the UK for everyday expenses, and Portugal around 30–40% cheaper, with the biggest savings on groceries, eating out, and utilities. Switzerland, Australia, and Canada’s major cities sit at broadly similar levels to the UK or higher.
• Housing: property costs vary enormously. In popular Spanish coastal areas, typical apartments run from around €150,000–€250,000, though prime areas like Marbella and Barcelona are considerably higher. In Canada, average house prices range from around CAD 700,000 in Calgary to over CAD 1.1 million in Toronto and CAD 1.8 million or more in Vancouver. In Sydney, the median dwelling price has reached around AUD 1.3 million, with houses higher still.
• Healthcare access: UK state pensioners moving to Spain or Portugal can still register an S1 form and access public healthcare on local terms, with costs billed back to the UK. Working-age movers not employed locally generally need private health insurance; a family of four can expect around €1,500–€3,500 per year in Spain or Portugal, depending on age and cover level. Canada has no reciprocal agreement with the UK, and new residents often face waiting periods of up to three months before provincial healthcare applies. Australia has a limited reciprocal arrangement for visitors and Medicare access for eligible long-term residents.
• Language and culture: English-speaking destinations are easier to settle into initially, but established expat communities across Spain, Portugal, France, and the Gulf make integration more manageable than many people expect.

Taking time to plan around these factors (well before your move date) helps ensure a smooth transition.

The information in this guide is intended to give you a general overview of the destinations and considerations involved in moving abroad from the UK. Total Moving Solutions are international removals specialists – not legal advisers, immigration consultants, tax professionals, or financial planners. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of families, professionals, and retirees make the move, and we understand the journey better than most. But for advice on visas, residency, tax planning, or financial decisions specific to your situation, we always recommend speaking with a qualified professional in the relevant field.

How Total Moving Solutions supports your move

Relocation isn’t just about packing boxes. It’s about safeguarding your belongings, managing paperwork, and starting fresh with confidence.

Total Moving Solutions offers:

• Fully managed international removals across Europe and beyond.

• Export packing and secure transport by road, sea, or air.

• Customs clearance support to reduce stress at borders.

• Storage options in the UK and abroad.

• Specialist relocation services for vehicles, pets, and high-value items.

We’re proud members of MoveAssured, and with MoveProtect Extended Cover, provided through a leading removal cover provider, your belongings are protected from door to door for extra peace of mind.

Explore our dedicated routes:

• Spain removals guide

• Ireland removals guide

Start planning your move today on our international removals page and let our team handle every detail for you.

FAQs about moving abroad from the UK

Which country do most Brits move to?

Spain remains one of the most popular destinations, with several hundred thousand UK citizens living there, including over 225,000 whose residence is protected under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement alone.

What is the easiest country to move to from the UK?

Ireland, thanks to the Common Travel Area, followed by Portugal and Spain, which both offer structured and accessible visa routes for retirees, remote workers, and professionals.

What is the easiest country for Brits to retire to?

Spain and Portugal are consistently the top choices. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa requires passive income of around €28,800 per year for a single applicant, while Portugal’s D7 visa sets the bar at roughly €850–870 per month (both are designed specifically for those living on pensions or investment income). Malta and Cyprus are also popular among British retirees, offering English-speaking environments, mild climates, and accessible residency schemes.

Where are Britons moving to avoid tax bills?

The UAE is the most popular destination for tax-driven moves – personal income tax is zero, and salaries are paid in full with no local deductions. Spain’s digital nomad visa connects to the Beckham Law regime, offering a flat 24% rate on Spanish-source income for up to six years. Portugal’s IFICI regime still offers a 20% flat rate for qualifying professionals in tech, research, and innovation. Malta and Cyprus both offer favourable pension taxation for retirees, with Cyprus applying a flat 5% rate on foreign pension income above a small annual exemption.

Why are so many Brits leaving the UK?

Cost of living, career opportunities, NHS pressures, tax changes, and retirement in sunnier climates are among the most commonly cited reasons.

Can I live in the EU permanently with a British passport?

Yes, but you’ll need a national visa or residency permit – automatic rights ended with Brexit.

Can a Brit fully move abroad?

Yes. Moving abroad does not affect your British citizenship. You remain a UK citizen regardless of where you live, and you can return at any time. If you plan to live in another country long-term, you will need to meet that country’s visa or residency requirements, but your passport and nationality are unaffected.

Where do most retirees move from the UK?

Spain, Portugal, and France are consistently top retirement destinations.

What is the cheapest country to move to from the UK?

Spain and Portugal are among the most affordable options. According to Numbeo’s 2025 data, everyday living costs in Spain are around 20–30% lower than in the UK, while Portugal is around 30–40% cheaper, with the biggest savings on housing, groceries, and eating out.

Where can I move to from the UK without a visa?

Ireland remains the only destination where UK citizens can relocate without a visa, income checks, or residency permits, under the Common Travel Area. All other destinations require an application process.

Where British expats are settling

The most common destinations for people leaving the UK remain Spain, Ireland, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal. Increasingly, movers are also heading to the USA, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UAE, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the wider Gulf region – and the fastest-growing British communities are now emerging in places like Poland, Malta, and Romania too.

People are making these moves for many reasons – from lower living costs and better job opportunities to retirement in the sun. Post-Brexit rules have added complexity, but with nearly 700,000 people leaving the UK in the most recent year of ONS data, the opportunities abroad are clearly broader than ever.

If you’re planning your own relocation, careful preparation (and the right removals partner) can make the process far easier. Get started today with a free, no-obligation quote and take the first step towards your new life abroad.