
Relocating to the UK is a relatively painless affair. European Union citizens are free to work in the UK without requiring a visa or work permit (except the recent accession states of Bulgaria & Romania). There are certain other exceptions that can be obtained from the UK immigration bureau.
61,113,205 (July 2009 est.)
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
+44
London
English (official) - Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales) - Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
HM Revenue & Customs - www.hmrc.gov.uk
HM Revenue & Customs - www.hmrc.gov.uk
Accommodation rental in the UK differs from city to city with London being the most expensive. Typically people rent rooms in houses or apartments rather than studio apartments.
To satisfy a landlord you will need proof of ID (Passport or ID card), social security number, employer reference and possibly a copy of a bank statement. You will need to pay one months’ rent in advance and a months’ deposit in order to secure a room.
| Single Room | £380 - 600 |
| Bed in Shared Room | £200 - 400 |
| Double Room | £400 - 800 |
| Studio | £750 - 2000 |
You must be aged at least 18 and provide two forms of identification (including one with a photograph, such as a passport) plus proof of residence in the UK (e.g. a recent utility bill) if applicable. It’s sensible to keep an account open in the country you’re leaving to deal with final bills and unexpected expenses.
You’ll want to select a branch near to where you will be living. Although it’s possible for non-resident homeowners to do most of their banking via a foreign account using debit and credit cards, you will still need a UK bank account to pay your utility bills and receive pay from your employer.