Free tools
Start with the numbers
Before you research destinations, understand your financial position — how much you'd take home, what living costs look like, and what HMRC still has a claim on.
Live calculator
UK vs UAE Income Calculator
Enter your salary and lifestyle. See your exact UAE take-home versus UK net pay, annual tax saving, and monthly surplus after Dubai living costs.
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Personalised planner
UAE Relocation Planner
8 questions. Instant report with your visa route, monthly budget, UK tax obligations, action timeline, and risk flags for your specific situation.
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Global calculator
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare your current UK lifestyle costs against any destination worldwide — rent, food, transport, healthcare, and discretionary spending.
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Destination guides
Where are British nationals moving in 2026?
In-depth guides covering visa routes, tax position, healthcare, real cost breakdowns, and step-by-step checklists for each destination.
🇦🇪
United Arab Emirates
0% income tax
Golden Visa 10yr
English everywhere
Zero income tax, world-class infrastructure, direct UK flights. The financial case is compelling for high earners — if the lifestyle trade-offs work for you.
Read full guide →
🇵🇹
Portugal
D7 visa
IFICI 20% flat rate
Pension unfrozen
35–55% cheaper than the UK, excellent public healthcare, great climate. NHR ended in 2024 — the new IFICI tax regime has a narrower qualifying criteria.
Read full guide →
🇪🇸
Spain
Non-Lucrative Visa
Beckham Law 24%
Pension unfrozen
400,000+ British residents, 30–45% lower costs, and the Beckham Law flat tax rate for qualifying workers. The largest British expat community in the EU.
Read full guide →
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8 Destinations Compared
Ireland
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
France
Side-by-side comparison of the 8 most popular destinations for UK nationals — visa ease, costs, NHS gap, pension frozen status, and who each suits.
See comparison →
Before you leave
Essential reading for every UK mover
These apply regardless of which country you choose — HMRC obligations, residency rules, and what the UK still taxes after you leave.
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UK Tax · Must read
UK Tax When Moving Abroad — HMRC, Non-Residency and What You Owe
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Tax Guide
Expat Tax Guide — Residency, Double Tax Treaties and What to File
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Banking
Expat Bank Account Guide — What to Open Before and After You Move
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Healthcare
Expat Health Insurance — What You Need and When the NHS Ends
Common questions
What British nationals ask most
Quick answers to the questions that come up in every conversation about moving abroad from the UK.
Do I still pay UK tax after I move abroad?
Not on foreign income, once you are non-resident under the UK Statutory Residence Test (SRT). Spending fewer than 16 days in the UK in a tax year makes you automatically non-resident. Once non-resident, HMRC still taxes UK-source income — rental income from UK property, UK government service pensions (NHS, civil service, military, teaching), and any days you physically work in the UK. You must submit form P85 to notify HMRC when you leave. Full guide →
Is my UK State Pension frozen when I move abroad?
It depends on the country. In the EU (Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland), the UAE, and most of the world, your State Pension increases with the annual triple lock — the same as if you stayed in the UK. In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and a small number of other countries, the pension is frozen at the rate when you first claim it and never rises with inflation. This is a significant consideration for long-term movers to those destinations. Destination comparison →
Can I still move to EU countries freely after Brexit?
No — UK nationals lost EU free movement after Brexit. You now need a long-stay visa for any EU country you want to live in. Each country has its own routes: Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa and Digital Nomad Visa, Portugal's D7 and D8, France's Talent Passport and Long-Stay Visa. The applications are made at the country's consulate in the UK before you move. The process is manageable but takes 2–4 months typically.
What happens to my NHS entitlement when I leave?
You lose NHS entitlement once you are no longer ordinarily resident in the UK. Your GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) gives you access to state-provided emergency and necessary care in EU countries at local rates, but it does not cover routine care. For most destinations you need private health insurance until you enrol in the local public health system. In Spain and Portugal, enrolment in the public system is possible once you are a legal resident. In the UAE, all residents are required to hold private insurance.
Should I keep paying National Insurance contributions after leaving?
Usually yes. You need 35 qualifying years for the full UK State Pension (£241.30/week in 2026–27). Voluntary Class 2 contributions cost £3.65/week (if you were self-employed before leaving) — one of the best value financial decisions most British expats can make. Class 3 costs £18.40/week. One qualifying year at Class 3 costs ~£957 but adds roughly £6.89/week to your pension for life — payback in under 3 years. Check your NI record at gov.uk.
UK to UAE Relocation Pack
Complete visa document checklist, UK tax obligations summary, cost comparison by emirate, school research worksheet, net income calculator, and 90-day pre-departure countdown — all in one printable PDF.
Download Pack
Coming soon · UAE pack first