How to Move to Europe from the UK
If you’re a UK citizen considering moving to a European country, you’re not alone. Government data shows that nearly a million British nationals lived or worked in another EU country as of 2019.
A major reason for this is that the UK’s high cost of living and demanding work schedules have left many Britons overworked and underpaid.
At the same time, European countries are known to offer several benefits for Britons — including better weather, more job opportunities, and an enhanced quality of life. These advantages are so tempting that despite Brexit, the number of Britons moving to EU and Schengen countries continues to rise by the day.
How do they navigate the process? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know as a UK citizen moving to another European country — including the major requirements, considerations, and solutions.
Understanding Post-Brexit Documentation
For several years, moving to Europe was a hassle-free experience, with little to no documentation required for UK citizens.
This decade, Brexit has thrown a spanner in the works.
Since the new immigration changes took effect in January 2021, UK citizens looking to move to an EU or Schengen country have had to put in a little more work. But this is not to say that it’s impossible, or not worth the effort. In fact, with just a little research — and the right documents — a world of promising options can open up.
Here’s a handy checklist:
Visa Requirements
Following 2021, the UK is considered a “third country” by EU member nations. This means that you need a visa to stay for longer than 90 days over a 180-day period.
Fortunately, there are several visas you can apply for to move to Europe. Depending on the country of your choice, you could get an employer to sponsor your visa, obtain a temporary permit to look for work, leverage a points-based system to emigrate as a skilled worker, or even show proof of sufficient funds to secure a retirement visa.
The exact rules and procedures differ from country to country, so ensure you do your due diligence. Scour online resources and follow up with embassies to find out which visa you’re most eligible for and how to secure it.
Passport & Entry Requirements
Since 2021, there have been two major passport requirements for UK nationals entering an EU-member country or a Schengen area. For one, the passport must be valid for at least three months after the travel date and must have been issued within the last ten years. This will be checked at border control. Moreover, until a residence permit is secured, UK citizens will have to have their passports stamped when they enter/exit the EU and may be asked to furnish supporting documents.
Professional Requirements
Professionals emigrating from the UK for work may also need to get their qualifications recognised in the country of their choosing. This rule applies to those who work across a wide range of professions, including doctors, architects, engineers and others.
To ensure that you’re qualified to work in the target country, ensure you carry out a thorough check online or with the appropriate embassy.
Insurance Requirements
Almost all European countries will require you to be covered by health insurance, but the Global Health Insurance Card issued by the NHS only covers stays of up to 90 days.
If you’re planning to move abroad permanently, or even for the foreseeable future, you will need to buy insurance in your new home country. Most European nations offer a mix of public and private health insurance options.
Meanwhile, UK citizens who’ve made enough contributions will be eligible to receive their pension payouts anywhere in the EU and Switzerland. Some pensioners who move abroad may also be eligible for healthcare paid for by the UK if they fill an S1 form.
Driving Requirements
Britons moving to EU countries on a long-term basis have to acquire a local driver's licence. In many cases, the UK licence can easily be swapped out for a new one by booking an appointment with the local authorities. However, in some European countries, you will need to retake your driving test before you get a local licence. Whichever the case is for you, it’s recommended that you do this as soon as possible.
Shipping Requirements
The movement of goods between the UK and other European countries — and, well, pretty much every other country in the world — is bound by customs duties and taxes.
What does this mean for your personal belongings?
Fortunately, not much. UK citizens moving to another country permanently are generally exempt from paying duty and tax on their personal belongings. However, to qualify for this exemption, you may still need to provide certain documentation to the authorities. This includes but is not limited to, a comprehensive inventory list, the estimated value of goods, and proof that certain items are older than six months.
This may seem like a lot to handle, but don’t worry. You can always work with a removal company like Gentlevan Removals to reduce the stress of paperwork.
Our reliable team will guide you through the customs clearance process and craft personalised solutions to help you navigate requirements across countries.
How to Choose the Right Destination
While you may have a general idea of the country you’d like to emigrate to, it’s worth analysing your choice with a fine-toothed comb to be absolutely sure you’re making the right decision. Some factors you could consider before settling on a specific country are:
The Language Barrier
Do you speak the local language? If not, do you plan to learn it?
While most Europeans speak at least a little English and offer job opportunities for English speakers, the levels of fluency will differ. This can be a crucial consideration, especially if you don’t speak any other language.
You may not struggle to find work, but you will find it hard to communicate with locals or fill out government documents. Choosing a country whose language you have some familiarity with will go a long way in streamlining the move.
With that said, the three European countries that have the lowest English fluency — France, Spain, and Italy — also happen to be exceptionally expat-friendly and very popular destinations for Britons to relocate to. So, the choice is yours.
Job Market
Depending on what stage of your career you’re planning your move, assess the job market of the relevant country in detail.
How promising are the opportunities within your line of expertise? Do these jobs pay enough for you to support yourself and your family, if any? And, most crucially, are you qualified to do those jobs outside of the UK? Answering these questions will help you avoid making hasty decisions and make the move easier than ever.
Cost of Living
If the main goal of your move is to improve your lifestyle, you should compare the cost of living across various European countries to find the appropriate solution.
Some countries, like Luxembourg, Ireland, or Switzerland, are known to be more expensive — especially when it comes to certain products and goods.
On the other hand, in countries like Hungary or Austria, the cost of living is significantly lower than it is in the UK — often less than half.
Housing
In 2023, the UK was voted “the most difficult place to find a home in the developed world”. To say that the country is going through a housing crisis would be an understatement. The same study found that a quarter of UK renters paid over 40% of their income on rent. In this landscape, it’s not hard to picture how moving to another European country could help you reduce costs. Some countries, like Spain and Italy, are in fact known for offering spacious apartments at much more affordable rates.
Britain’s Favourite European Destinations
When it comes to stunning European destinations, UK citizens are spoilt for choice. There are 44 official countries in Europe, 27 of which are part of the EU.
And to their credit, a community of British nationals can be found across all these countries — including Slovenia, which has a small but thriving group of 600-odd Britons. Let’s take a look at the five countries they prefer the most — along with an overview of the requirements of each.
Spain
Spain is overwhelmingly the most popular country for UK citizens looking to emigrate. It’s said that over 300,000 citizens call the Mediterranean country home, with unofficial estimates claiming the figure to be as high as one million.
And who can blame them?
Spain is renowned for its exceptional food, above-average apartment sizes, lower-than-average cost of living, and year-round sunshine. It’s also exceptionally expat-friendly, with cities like Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga boasting large immigrant populations and islands like Mallorca known specifically for hosting British expats.
Today, the country’s job market is seeing tremendous growth and the number of English speakers is rising by the day — which is great news for anyone planning a move there.
Some ways you can qualify for a Spanish visa is if you get a job in the country or you can prove that you have an income of at least £2,000 per month. But that’s not all; the country also offers visas for seasonal workers, au pairs, and specific other categories.
France
UK citizens make up a staggering 24% of France’s foreign population — with 86,000 owning a second home in France. Since Brexit, the freedom of movement between the two countries has been curtailed and the numbers are likely on the decline.
But this doesn’t mean that there aren’t still several options for you to take advantage of if you want to live in the fashion and lifestyle capital of the world.
France offers various long-term visas that allow you to stay beyond 90 days. This includes long-term permits for skilled workers, students, families, and retirees.
Italy
The Dolce Vita lifestyle has enticed many a Briton over the years. Or well, as per a 2021 poll, it’s enticed 30,000 UK citizens at least.
British nationals live across large parts of Northern Italy, including Lombardy and Lazio, as well as in many smaller communities across the rest of the country.
Interestingly, while 6 out of 10 British respondents of a survey were long-standing residents of Italy, 22% moved merely 1-5 years ago. This proves that the Mediterranean country continues to be a promising destination for UK nationals — and is still easy enough to move to.
Italy is also more affordable in almost every sense —groceries, rent, and more. Plus the food is to die for and the historical and architectural landmarks are unmatched.
Italy offers both employment visas, as well as permits for retirees who can prove that they have the funds to support themselves.
Germany
Beer, bratwurst, and the Bavarian Alps aren’t the only reasons to move to Germany (although they do help). The country is also known for its clean, safe cities surrounded by plenty of green spaces and English job opportunities. Plus the cost of living in Germany — which is the strongest economy in Europe — is 8.6% less than that of the UK. This is true not only in smaller towns and cities but also in the capital, Berlin.
To find out whether you’re eligible to start a new life in Deutschland, check out this handy government tool.
Republic of Ireland
One of the biggest benefits of moving to the Republic of Ireland is, of course, that you aren’t bound by strict post-Brexit regulations. In fact, there’s a special arrangement in place to allow citizens of either country to travel, live and work visa-free. It’s no wonder then that in 2022, there were 83,000 UK citizens living in the Republic of Ireland.
Moving Made Easy
Living in another country always comes with its share of challenges. But you shouldn’t let bureaucratic migraines stop you from setting off on a new and exciting journey.
At Gentlevan Removals, we’re committed to helping you make this transition as smooth as possible. Our reliable team of experts will work closely with you to thoroughly plan every logistical aspect of your move — from packing to storing to shipping. We also help navigate complicated customs clearance rules and transport regulations.
Our fleet of specialised vehicles handles loads of varying weights and travels to almost all European countries — including France, Italy, Germany, Benelux, and more. All you need to do is figure out your visa and find an appropriate home — and we’ll help you relocate all your belongings with ease. Get a free online quote here today.