The largest populations of British citizens living outside the UK are in Australia, Spain, the USA, and Canada. Other major destinations include Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and Germany, with a significant concentration of retirees in Spain and professionals in the UAE.
Some of the most popular countries for British expats include Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. When it comes to the EU, Brits usually choose Spain, Portugal and Ireland. It's estimated that around 1.3 million UK citizens reside in the EU.
What is the easiest country for UK citizens to move to?
Australia, Canada, the USA, and New Zealand are among the most popular visa-free destinations for UK citizens—all except the USA are members of the Commonwealth Nations. But in light of political instability, British citizens seek options in the EU more often.
Of the countries polled, Sweden is the non-Anglosphere country seen as friendliest to Britain, with 80% of the public seeing the UK and Sweden as having a positive relationship.
The ONS reports that 517,000 people emigrated from the UK in 2024, including around 77,000 British nationals. Current trends show: Europe remains dominant – Spain, Ireland, France, and Germany continue to top the list. More non-EU moves – Canada, Australia, the USA, and UAE are steadily gaining.
The UK achieves the highest attractiveness ratings in Kenya and the Ukraine (both 88 per cent) and lowest in Japan (55 per cent). However, percentage figures mask cultural differences across countries in the way people answer questions in a survey.
Brits are moving to tax-efficient locations like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (especially Dubai) for zero income tax, while Malta attracts many with EU access and favorable remittance-based tax schemes. Other popular spots include Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus, offering tax incentives and lifestyle benefits, with some also considering the Bahamas, BVI, and Jersey for nil/low-tax environments, according to migration advisors.
Several countries, especially in Europe like Italy, Spain, Greece, and Croatia, offer cash incentives or grants to attract new residents, often targeting remote workers or those willing to renovate properties in depopulated areas, with examples including Italy's regional grants or Croatia's low-cost housing. Ireland also has programs for its remote islands, while some Swiss towns like Albinen have incentives, though often with residency requirements like under 45 and a 10-year commitment.
The Times: “Forget Dubai — Britons Are Moving Here to Cut Tax Bills Instead” A recent article in The Times reports that Malta is emerging as a preferred destination for British taxpayers responding to major UK tax reforms. The report highlights Malta's remittance-basis tax system and lifestyle benefits.
Moving to another country typically requires obtaining a visa or residency permit. The requirements for obtaining these documents will vary depending on the destination country and the reason for your move.
How long can you live outside the UK without losing benefits?
You can typically stay abroad for up to 4 weeks without losing most UK benefits, but must tell the DWP if longer; some benefits like Universal Credit allow up to 6 months for specific reasons (like medical treatment), while disability benefits (PIP, ADP) usually allow 13 weeks, or 26 weeks for medical treatment, requiring advance notification for any absence over 4 weeks to avoid suspension.
Where can you live permanently with a British passport?
British citizens can live permanently in many places by obtaining residency or citizenship, with popular options including Commonwealth nations like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (often via skilled/retirement visas) and EU countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy (through specific visas like Non-Lucrative or long-term permits after 5 years). Other destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE also offer pathways, but securing permanent residency or citizenship depends on meeting specific criteria, points systems, or visa requirements.
Australia remains a top-tier destination for UK expats in 2025, offering a familiar language, high standard of living, and robust public services. Its laid-back lifestyle, strong job market, and excellent healthcare and education systems make it particularly appealing to families and skilled professionals.
What is the cheapest and safest country to live in?
There's no single "safest, most affordable" country, as it depends on priorities, but top contenders often mentioned for combining safety and low cost include Portugal, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic, offering good infrastructure, low living expenses (rent, food), and high quality of life in specific regions or cities, though some Southeast Asian nations like Thailand and the Philippines also rank high for affordability with safety considerations. Portugal is noted for EU access and good healthcare, Malaysia for English-speaking expat communities, Vietnam for extreme affordability, and Czechia for central European travel.
Where is the cheapest place to live outside the UK?
The cheapest countries to live in Europe are Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. While Europe includes several countries with a high CoL, such as the UK, France, and Norway, there are also many attractive EU destinations at the cheaper end of the spectrum.
In 2022, the United Kingdom was ranked 16th out of the 38 OECD countries in terms of the tax-to-GDP ratio. 1. In this note, the country with the highest level or share is ranked first and the country with the lowest level or share is ranked 38th. Equal to the OECD average from value-added taxes.
Malta's historical and cultural ties to the UK make it a natural fit for British expats who want to retain familiar systems while benefiting from EU access. Key reasons include: Common-law foundation and similar financial regulation. Driving on the left, British-style education, and a familiar social etiquette.
Honey/hun. Another word that tends to get shortened slightly in common usage – this happens often with terms of affection. Honey is a word that's typically used between couples, but rarely by strangers.
Our carefully curated list of the most beautiful counties in the UK combines all these elements, featuring counties that offer diverse experiences for every age and preference.
Cornwall. Cornwall is the jewel of England's southwest. ...
