Moving to the United Kingdom
A practical first-30-days checklist for newcomers to the UK — banking, government registration, groceries, telecom, transport, and housing, with links to the official sources you actually need.
Last updated:
- Currency
- British Pound (GBP, £)
- Capital
- London
- Official language
- English
- Dialing code
- +44
- Time zone
- GMT (UTC+0) / BST (UTC+1) summer
Sort out your immigration and government records
Almost everything else — opening a bank account, signing a tenancy, registering with a doctor — depends on having proof of your right to live in the UK and a National Insurance number. Get these out of the way first.
1.Confirm your immigration status
Most newcomers arrive with an eVisa accessible through the gov.uk View and Prove service, or with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Save a copy of your share code — landlords and employers will ask for it during right-to-rent and right-to-work checks.
View and prove your immigration status2.Apply for a National Insurance number
Your NI number is your tax and social-insurance ID. You can apply online once you've arrived; HMRC will write to you with the number once it's issued. Many employers will let you start work before it arrives.
Apply for a National Insurance number3.Register with a GP (NHS)
Healthcare is provided by the NHS and is free at the point of use for most residents. Register with a local GP surgery as soon as you have an address — you can do it online for most surgeries, no proof of address required for the registration itself.
Find and register with a GP4.Register to pay Council Tax
Once you've moved into a permanent address, contact your local council to set up Council Tax. Single occupants get a 25% discount; full-time students are usually exempt entirely.
Find your local council
Open a bank account
Traditional UK banks ask for proof of address, which is hard to provide on day one. App-based banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut, Wise) typically open an account from a passport selfie and do not require a UK utility bill — the easiest first step.
1.Start with an app-based bank
Monzo, Starling, Revolut, and Wise let you open a UK current account from your phone using only a passport or BRP. You receive a UK sort code, account number, and IBAN within minutes — enough to receive a salary or pay rent.
Open a Wise multi-currency account2.Open a high-street bank account once you have proof of address
After 1–2 months of utility bills or a tenancy in your name, switch to (or add) a high-street bank — HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays, NatWest, Santander. They are useful for savings products, mortgages, and depositing cash.
Compare current accounts on MoneyHelper3.Move money in cheaply
Avoid your home bank for the initial transfer — fees of 3–5% are common. Wise and Revolut typically convert at near-mid-market rates with a flat fee under £10 for transfers up to £5,000.
Find a place to live
Most newcomers rent for the first year. Expect a deposit of 4–6 weeks of rent (held in a government-backed deposit protection scheme), one month of rent in advance, and a credit / right-to-rent check.
1.Search the right portals
Rightmove and Zoopla list the majority of properties; SpareRoom and OpenRent dominate flatshares and direct-from-landlord lettings. Move quickly — desirable flats in London and big cities can be gone within hours.
Browse rentals on Rightmove2.Pass the right-to-rent check
Landlords are legally required to verify that every adult occupier has the right to rent in the UK. Have your share code from the View and Prove service, or your BRP, ready when you view a property — it speeds the offer up considerably.
3.Confirm the deposit is in a protection scheme
Within 30 days the landlord must register your deposit with one of the three approved schemes (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) and tell you which. If they do not, the deposit is at risk and you may be entitled to compensation.
Tenancy deposit protection — gov.uk
Get a UK phone number and home internet
A UK phone number unlocks two-factor authentication for nearly every UK service. Pay-as-you-go SIMs are available without ID; contract SIMs require a UK address and often a credit check.
1.Pick up a pay-as-you-go SIM on day one
Giffgaff, Lebara, and Smarty offer 30-day rolling SIMs from around £10/month with generous data — no contract, no credit check, no UK address required. They post the SIM to a UK address or you can pick one up in any supermarket or corner shop.
2.Move to a contract once your credit history exists
After a few months, network contracts (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) often work out cheaper for heavy users and bundle handset finance. Some providers run dedicated newcomer / no-credit-history plans.
3.Compare home broadband
Most homes can choose between BT, Sky, Virgin Media, and a growing list of full-fibre providers (Hyperoptic, Community Fibre, Vodafone Pro). Use Ofcom's broadband checker to see which technologies are available at your address.
Ofcom broadband checker
Where to buy food and household goods
British supermarkets cluster into clear price tiers. Match the chain to the trip: budget weekly shop at Aldi or Lidl, weekday top-up at Tesco or Sainsbury's, premium / specialty at Waitrose or Marks & Spencer.
1.Budget chains: Aldi and Lidl
Aldi and Lidl run tight ranges (around 1,500 SKUs vs 30,000 at Tesco) and price most basics 25–40% below the big chains. Best for staples, fresh produce, and household goods. Pay-by-card only at most checkouts.
2.Weekday standard: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons
The "Big Four" cover almost every product category and run loyalty schemes (Clubcard, Nectar, Asda Rewards) where members see significantly lower prices on selected items. Worth signing up to one or two on day one.
3.Premium and specialty: Waitrose, M&S, Whole Foods
Waitrose and Marks & Spencer carry higher-quality own-label ranges and broader fresh and prepared options. M&S Food Halls also have a strong line in ready meals if cooking time is short while you settle in.
4.Online delivery and clicks-and-collect
Every major chain delivers, with a Saturday slot typically £5–7 and weekday slots from £1. Ocado (a Waitrose / M&S partner) and Amazon Fresh deliver in larger cities with broader ranges.
Get around — public transit and driving
British cities are well covered by public transit; intercity travel is dominated by rail. Driving is on the left, and your home licence may be valid for up to 12 months before you need a UK one.
1.Get a contactless travel card
In London, any contactless debit card (or Apple/Google Pay) replaces an Oyster card and benefits from daily and weekly fare caps. Most UK cities support contactless on buses; trams in Manchester and Edinburgh have their own apps.
Pay as you go — Transport for London2.Buy a Railcard if you travel by train
A £30 / year Railcard saves a third on most off-peak rail tickets. The 16-25, 26-30, Two Together, and Network Railcards cover most newcomers. National Rail journeys can also be planned and booked through the Trainline app.
Compare Railcards3.Driving licence: convert or sit a UK test
EU/EEA, US, Canadian, Australian, NZ, and several other licences can be exchanged for a UK licence within five years of becoming a resident — apply through the DVLA. Other licences require sitting the UK theory and practical tests.
Exchange a foreign driving licence
Other countries
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a UK address before I arrive?
No. App-based banks (Monzo, Starling, Wise, Revolut) and pay-as-you-go SIMs (Giffgaff, Lebara, Smarty) work without a UK address. You only need an address for high-street bank accounts, Council Tax registration, contract phones, and most credit checks.
How fast does an NI number arrive?
Online applications are typically processed within 4–8 weeks, but you can usually start work and pay tax under an emergency code while you wait. HMRC reconciles the tax once your number is assigned.
Can I use the NHS from day one?
Visitors with a valid visa or settled status are entitled to NHS care. Register with a GP as soon as you have an address — most surgeries do not require proof of address for the registration itself.
Which UK city is cheapest to settle in?
Outside London, average rents in cities like Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Belfast are 40–60% lower than central London for comparable size, with Council Tax bands and weekly food bills also significantly lower.