Moving from the US to the UK

Thinking About Moving to the UK?

Start here with our complete guide to relocating as an American wanting to live in the UK.

Expert-led advice for Americans making the move including tax, visas, finances, and more.

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Don't leave anything to chance

Moving to the UK deserves proper planning

Moving from the US to the UK is more common than you might think, with more Americans than ever looking to make the move across the Atlantic.

However, despite sharing a common language, the move can be fraught with risks if not carefully planned.

Here are some eye-opening statistics about Americans moving to the UK.

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170,000

Around 170,000 US citizens live in the UK as of 2024, making it one of the most popular destinations for long-term emigration

22,000

Just under 22,000 Americans relocated to the UK in 2022 alone, with Europe as a whole seeing a 22% rise in US moves compared to 2021

44%

The average American expat stays abroad for over a decade, with 44% intending to stay indefinitely

6,100

More than 6,100 Americans applied for UK citizenship last year, a record high and up 26% from 2023

Plan your move

Why the move to the UK deserves proper planning

Moving internationally isn’t just a logistical task, it’s a financial, legal and emotional shift. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to overlook critical steps that could lead to visa delays, tax penalties, costly banking mistakes, or homesickness that catches you off guard.

Our free resources will create clarity, reduce stress, and help you move with confidence on your own terms.

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Regional distinctions

The UK is more than just London, find out how different areas of the UK offer different qualities of life and opportunities to help you choose your perfect location to settle.
Cost of living

One of the biggest day-to-day differences between the UK and the US is the overall cost of living, from fueling your car, to heating your home and property costs.
Healthcare

Healthcare in the UK is very different to anything in the US and accessing it in an emergency is free for everyone. While there are private healthcare options, the NHS provides world-class services without sky-high fees.
Work/life balance

The UK has a very different work culture from the US, but also from the rest of Europe. The UK is a place to work hard, while also recognising that British people work to live, not live to work.
Tax complications

Despite leaving the US, you will still have tax reporting obligations both to the IRS and to HMRC in the UK.

Leaving this to chance could result in fines and penalties - and a lot of stress.
Wealth management

Even experienced investors in the US face significant challenges investing in the UK and decisions will depend on your long term plans.

If you do not get this right, you could be exposed to currency fluctuations and heavy taxation.
Essential reading to get your research underway

What you’ll discover inside our US to UK relocation section

We help Americans moving to the UK, whether relocating for work, lifestyle, or British people returning home after time abroad.

We understand that every move is different, so while we offer information, checklists and guides to relocating to the UK, we support this with events, webinars and introduction services.

Whatever your motivation for moving to the UK, we’re here to give you the confidence and make your relocation smoother and far less stressful.

UK Visas Options and Pathways


Understand the various visa routes for work, or family relocation to the UK. Learn what documents and supporting evidence and you'll need for each. Read about UK Visas

Wealth and Financial Planning


Know when to start speaking to an adviser, how to manage US investments from abroad, what to do with your 401(k) and learn about currency risk. Learn about wealth management

UK/US Tax Planning

 

Tax can be complex and stressful. Avoid double taxation, understand the US-UK tax treaty, and get clear on FBAR, FATCA, and UK residency rules.

 Understand your tax obligations

Lifestyle, Property and Homesickness


Discover how the UK differs day to day, explore cost of living, property options, everyday spending and the things other people forget. Learn more about living in the UK
Timeline

Relocation Timeline and when to speak to specialists

Moving abroad can be like training for a marathon, while anyone can reach the finish line, without training and expert assistance you are more likely to get injured, fail and have an incredibly stressful time.

There's a best order to do things: visas take time, taxes have deadlines, property decisions need preparation and healthcare access depends on when and how you arrive. If you miss a step or do things in the wrong order, it can be stressful and expensive, derail

Our expert-designed UK relocation timeline breaks everything down — from 12 months out to your first month in the UK. Whether you’re moving for work, lifestyle or retirement, it gives you the structure to make smart, timely decisions and reduce the pressure.

For a more detailed overview for moving to the UK, with useful links, please read our Moving to the UK timeline

Important questions answered

Top questions asked by Americans moving to the UK

There are so many questions to have answered before moving to the UK. We've collated a number of the most common questions we get asked, and created a series of articles and videos to answer them.

  1. 01

    Do I need a visa to move to the UK, and which one is right for me?
  2. 02

    Will I still have to pay US taxes if I live in the UK?

  3. 03

    Where should I live in the UK and is London my best option?

  4. 04

    How does healthcare work in the UK for Americans?
  5. 05

    What are the hidden costs of moving to the UK that nobody talks about?

  6. 06

    What happens to my 401k and other US investment accounts?
  7. 07

    How can I overcome homesickness and potential loneliness?

  8. 08

    What are the biggest cultural differences between the US and the UK?

  9. 09

    What is the education system like in the UK?

  10. 10

    What is the best and most cost effective way to move my belongings to the UK?

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