The 9 Easiest Countries to Move to from the UK
Let’s get one thing straight – most moves abroad aren’t easy. After all, you’re picking up your entire life and moving it to a new, unfamiliar country.
On top of this, moving to another country has become a little more complicated for Brits recently, thanks to the UK’s controversial decision to leave the EU.
But fear not, there are ways to make moving abroad easier! Plus, if you’re hoping to move overseas from the UK, there are some countries that will let you do so without a long list of requirements – and we’re here to show you which ones.
So, if you’re after a new adventure, scroll down to find the nine easiest countries to move to from the UK.
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Planning a new adventure with your family? There are plenty of welcoming countries to visit
1. Belize
Belize’s 30-day Temporary Visa makes moving abroad much less stressful. Although it only lasts a short period of time, it can be renewed as many times as you like, costing £9.50 each time.
And, after you’ve been living in Belize for over a year, you can apply for permanent residency with a small payment of £772. It’s really that easy.
Can I buy a property there?
Yes, foreign nationals can buy both land and property in Belize – in fact, the Government of Belize welcomes it.
If you want to buy property here, you’ll be pleased to hear that buyers can enjoy the same rights as Belizean citizens, with no restrictions.
Want to know more about international shipping costs? Our detailed guide will help.
What about the future?
Speaking of citizens, after five years of being a permanent resident in Belize, you’ll be able to apply for citizenship. Although, it might take a bit of patience, since processing the application can take up to a year.
2. Ecuador
If you have a monthly income of £772 or more – and can prove it – then moving to Ecuador will be pretty simple. You can start off with a Temporary Residence Visa, which will last for 21 months – once this is up, you’ll be free to apply for permanent residence status.
Thinking of moving to Ecuador for retirement? You can also get a Retirement Visa – provided you have a monthly income of at least £617. However, bear in mind that you legally won’t be able to work on this type of visa.
Can I buy a property there?
Good news: there are no restrictions on foreign real estate investment in Ecuador. Anyone can buy property here pretty much as soon as they arrive – you just need to have a valid passport to use as identification.
What about the future?
If you want to stay in Ecuador long term, you can always apply for dual citizenship. According to the government, to be successful in your application you’ll have to:
- Take a test on Ecuador’s laws to show your knowledge of the country
- Prove that you’re able to live independently
- Have lived in the country for at least three years continuously, from the date that your identity card was first issued
Quito, Ecuador’s capital, sitting high in the Andean foothills near Cotopaxi volcano
3. Paraguay
If you have a British passport, you’ll be able to live in Paraguay visa-free for up to 90 days.
Anyone wanting to live here for a bit longer can also apply for the country’s permanent residence permit. The government states that to apply for this permit, visitors must make a deposit of an amount equivalent to 35 lots of monthly minimum wage – in other words, a total of PYG 24,554,600 (£2,698).
What’s more, you’ll only need to visit Paraguay at least once every three years to keep your residence status, a rule that could come in handy if you need to visit your home country for an extended period of time.
Can I buy a property there?
There are no laws in Paraguay that bar foreigners from buying property.
In fact, you don’t even need to be a registered resident to buy property here. All you need is a valid passport as a form of identification, and you’re free to go house hunting.
What about the future?
By law, anyone is able to apply for Paraguayan citizenship after three years of being a permanent resident.
However, expats also need to demonstrate significant local ties before they can qualify, which can include marriage, ownership of land or a company, and having a local job.
Like most citizenship processes, you’ll also need to show basic knowledge of the local language (Spanish), and of the country’s history, geography, and politics.
4. Montenegro
The easiest way to move to Montenegro is to use its Temporary Residence Visa, which lasts for one year and can be renewed annually.
Anyone can apply for this visa, but whether you’ll qualify for it will come down to being employed by a company in Montenegro, studying out there, seeking medical treatment, or having family living in the country.
After spending five years as a temporary resident, you’ll also be able to apply for permanent residency, which means you’ll have the same rights as Montenegro’s citizens.
Can I buy a property there?
Once you get your head around the logistics of it, buying a property in Montenegro can be easy.
There are no legal restrictions on foreigners buying property in this country, but foreigners can only buy land through a company. Since land and property overlap, we recommend getting professional legal help if you want to buy a property here.
What about the future?
Compared to some other countries on this list, it takes much longer to become a citizen in Montenegro.
Generally, you’ll need to be a temporary resident for five years, and then spend five years as a permanent resident. You’ll also need basic language proficiency in Montenegrin to get citizenship.
As a fast-track option, the Montenegrin government has introduced a Citizenship by Investment programme – but it comes at a steep cost. To qualify, foreigners need to pay £350,000, which goes towards developing the country’s infrastructure.
5. Singapore
It’s no coincidence that expats make up about a quarter of Singapore’s 5.6 million residents. One of the many perks of living in this city-state is that it’s pretty easy to move to.
Visitors don’t need a visa in the first 90 days of being in Singapore – but once this period is over, you’ll need to have one set up.
Luckily, there is a long list of visas – more commonly referred to as ‘passes’ – available for expats in Singapore. Generally, you’re required to have a job offer before moving to the country permanently, which means its Employment Passes are pretty popular.
After six months working in Singapore with this visa, you’ll be eligible to apply for Singapore PR (permanent resident) status.
Can I buy a property there?
You can buy property in Singapore, but the process comes with some red tape – for example, government approval is required. If you want to apply to own property, you’ll need to apply through the Singapore Land Authority and have made ‘an adequate economic contribution’ to Singapore.
What about the future?
If you’re enjoying life in Singapore, you can easily become a citizen after being a permanent resident for at least two years. You’ll also have to take a test to show your knowledge of the local laws, history, and culture.
Pea-green lilypads floating in the Marina Bay Garden, located in the centre of Singapore
6. Thailand
British passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days, but if you want to stay longer, you’ll need a permit.
Overall, the most popular Thai visa options are business, education, marriage, and retirement visas.
If you intend to work in Thailand, or have invested in a Thai company, then you will need a Business Visa. These can also be used for multiple entries over a one-year period. However, any expats over 50 years might find the best option is to go for a Retirement Visa.
Want to become a permanent resident in Thailand? You’ll be able to apply after renewing your visa for three years.
Can I buy a property there?
Although foreigners can’t buy land in Thailand, they can purchase buildings, condominium units, and apartments without any restrictions.
What about the future?
Before applying for citizenship, you need to have been a permanent resident of Thailand for five years, and either owned your own business in Thailand or worked for a Thai company for three years.
7. The United Arab Emirates
Moving to the UAE tends to be a fairly easy process for UK citizens – though, it’s certainly not the cheapest system.
UK passport holders can stay for 30 days once they arrive at the airport. But if you’re looking for a longer stay, you can apply for one of the UAE’s popular employment, student, or investment visas.
Alternatively, you can apply for residence in the UAE for one, two or three years (or up to 5-10 years without a sponsor) if you are:
- Employed by a company in the UAE
- Employed by the government
- An investor in a business in the UAE
- Buying a property in the UAE
- A university student, sponsored by a university in the UAE
Can I buy a property there?
Foreigners moving to the UAE are free to buy houses and apartments without any restrictions. In fact, the country encourages property investment so much, there isn’t even a minimum age requirement.
What about the future?
When it comes to citizenship, the UAE is pretty strict – until recently, foreigners were unable to apply for it at all. However, in 2021, the country announced that foreigners will now be able to apply for citizenship if they’re nominated by UAE royals or officials.
Dubai’s dramatic skyline, sitting in front of a bold sunset
8. New Zealand
One of the main reasons why New Zealand is quite easy to move to is that it offers a wide variety of visas – the most common types for Brits being the Work Visa, Working Holiday Visa, and Essential Skills Work Visa.
After living in New Zealand for two years, you might also be able to qualify for permanent residency – although, you’ll have to meet some extra criteria. Make sure to check out the rules and requirements on this by visiting the government’s website.
Can I buy a property there?
Good news – New Zealand’s government allows expats to buy a property if they adhere to all of the following points:
- Have a New Zealand residence class visa
- Have been in the country for a minimum of 12 months
- Have spent more than 180 days of the last 12 months in New Zealand
- Can commit to living in the country for more than 180 days in the next year
What about the future?
Foreigners are allowed to apply for citizenship in New Zealand after they’ve been a resident for at least five years, and have only travelled outside of the country for a ‘short amount of time’.
9. Australia
Although Australia’s immigration programme is strict, it is one of the most efficient systems – which makes the moving process slightly easier.
If you’re looking to move to Australia, the easiest way to do so is by applying for jobs that are listed in its official Skilled Occupations List. If you are qualified for any of the occupations found on the list, you’ll probably find the visa process pretty straightforward.
There are, of course, other ways to go about moving here. You can always apply for the Global Talent Visa, Employer Nomination Scheme, or Skilled Nominated Visa.
There are also multiple different ways to become a permanent resident in Australia, including through a Family-Stream Permanent Visa, a Work-Stream Permanent Visa, or a Business or Investor-Stream Permanent Visa.
Can I buy a property there?
One major plus for anyone moving to Australia from the UK is how easy it is to buy a home out there.
In fact, the Australian government offers a First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) to anyone holding a permanent residency visa. Buying (or building) your first new home in Australia would make you eligible for a grant of $10,000 AUD (£5,357).
What about the future?
To be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, you only have to have been an Australian permanent resident for one year. You’ll also need to have lived in Australia for at least nine out of 12 months before you apply.
Transferring money from the UK
If you’re considering moving abroad from the United Kingdom, or maybe wanting to buy property abroad, then you will need to transfer your money into the right currency.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with Wise, an easy-to-use international money transfer company who can help you save on exchange fees when you do.
Fill out Wise’s form below to see how they could help.
Summary
If you’re itching for a new adventure, there are lots of places you can move to from the UK – it doesn’t have to be complicated.
And even if you do end up moving to somewhere with a slightly more complex immigration system, there are things you can do to stay on top of it all. Want to simplify your move? Check out our moving abroad checklist.
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