United Kingdom: Living

The information in this section is subject to change and regular updating during the UK's post-Brexit transition period. We will publish the updated information as soon as it becomes available.

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates: In 2019 there were approximately 6.2 million people with non-British nationality living in the UK (9% of the total population) and 9.5 million people who were born abroad.
As of December 2019, 3.7 million EU nationals were living in the UK. (Migration Statistics, UK Parliament)
Blogs For Expats: List of expatriate websites
Expat Exchange
Immigration Authority: Living in the UK after 31 December 2020 (information for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens)
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals: Really Moving Directory
List of removal companies
Pickfords
Contact the Embassy: Contact the Embassy of the United Kingdom in the United States.
Contact Your Embassy: Contact the Embassy of the United States in the United Kingdom.

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living: According to the latest available edition of the Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings Survey by Mercer, London is ranked 17th out of 227 cities worldwide in terms of cost of living.
Quality of Life: According to the latest available edition of the Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings Survey by Mercer, London is ranked 41st out of 231 cities worldwide in terms of quality of living.
Hotel reservation websites: Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings (Survey by Mercer)

Renting an Apartment

Rental Agency Websites: Zoopla

School System

The Education System: Education is compulsory in the UK between 5 and 16. Many children attend nursery classes from earlier ages. Around 65% of pupils currently remain voluntarily in education beyond age 16. Pupils transfer from primary to secondary school at 11. Only around 6% of children attend private (independent) schools. Universities in the UK are self-governing and have academic independence.
International Schools: For International Schools see Schoolsearch.
Hotel reservation websites: The Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Schools search engine

Health System

The Healthcare System: The availability of public and private hospital care, together with modern medical infrastructure, means healthcare standards in Europe are generally very high. While good medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System is only for UK residents and certain EU nationals (subject to change following the UK's withdrawal from the EU).
International Hospitals: For information for non-British citizens regarding the UK medical system, and for a list of hospitals, consult the National Health System web pages for visiting England. For health insurance information consult Expat-medical-insurance.
Health System Insurance Body: NHS

Tourism and Culture

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: Roman remains, castles, palaces, stately homes, museums of maritime heritage or the Industrial Revolution. The UK has a wealth of historic places to visit.
Cultural: Painting, literature, theatre and music. Prestigious and leading-edge museums, galleries and centres for arts and crafts.
Nature: 49 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 40 National Scenic Areas, 14 National Parks and an amazing 27 World Heritage Sites, five of which have World Heritage status due to their outstanding natural features. The landscape is very varied. Scotland and Wales are mountainous with Ben Nevis (Scotland) the highest peak in the UK and Snowdon the highest peak in Wales.
Religious: Many thousands of beautiful churches, abbeys and cathedrals spanning 13 centuries of history. They are found in every city, town and village, and most are open for visitors to enter and explore freely. Canterbury Cathedral is one of the UK 's top destinations.
Consult these websites:
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Thermal: There are several spa towns in Britain, Bath Spa being a very popular destination because of its historic past (Roman remains).
Beach: Best areas are the South-East, the South-West, Wales, Norfolk, Northumberland and Scotland. Visit Goodbeachguide.
Winter Sports: The natural snow resorts are in Scotland and all have invested heavily in recent years.
Outdoor Activities: For a list of activities for all tastes, from walking, cycling, riding, golfing to sailing, visit Visitbritain.co.uk.
Shopping: Britain is a great place for specialty shopping, whether for souvenirs or luxury treats.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
The London Eye
The British Museum
The Tower of London
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Kew Gardens
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
Covent Garden and the West End
Tate Galleries
London pubs

Top Highlights of the Country
Roman Baths in Bath
Beatles’ story, Liverpool
National Railway Museum, York
The Eden Project in Cornwall
The Isle of Skye in Scotland
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
Stonehenge
Shakespeare's birthplace

Tourism Organisations: British Tourist Authority

Individual and Civic Freedoms

Civil Liberty: 1/7
: World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 33/180

Religion

Beliefs: Anglicans 46.3%
Catholics 21.5%
Muslims - Sunni 10.8%
Sikhs 4.2%
Protestants 2.6%
Hindus 1.4%
Jewish 1.3%
Others 11.9%.

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