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One of the major tasks that British expatriates may face, occurs when it is time to pack up and return to the UK.
How would you know what to do, when to do it and what to prioritise?
Undoubtedly, such a task would vary greatly depending on how long you have lived away from the UK. However, there are certain things that you will need to consider, whether you have been out of the UK for 1 year or 10 years.
Over the past eight years here in Vietnam I have helped many British expatriates to move back to the UK, by ensuring that their financial matters are dealt with and moved back to the UK in the most secure and structured way possible.
A very important aspect in moving back to the UK is making sure that you are leaving plenty of time for preparations, in order to make the move as smooth as possible for you and your family.
You may have a house sale or rental notice to consider, there might be children’s schooling that needs to be re-planned, as well as the fact that you may need to give required notice to your employers. In many instances, we would advise to start the relocation process from 10 to 12 months prior to the actual move date.
To help with this, here are some of the important elements of moving back to your home country including Financial, Family and Health, as well as the timescale in which you should start to consider taking the action.
Please visit my website for a comprehensive ‘to do’ list of many aspects to everyday life that you may not have considered yet, that will make your transition back into UK life as stress-free as possible
Financial
If you need to find employment, then it is important to start a relationship with Recruitment Consultants in the UK and refresh your Curriculum Vitae. If you are taking a transfer within your company, you need to find out which costs your employer will cover.
Speak with the HMRC and inform them that you are intending to return to the UK. They will then send you the relevant details you will need to re-register in the UK.
For National Insurance contributions, contact the HMRC National Insurance Contributions Office (International Services).
One of our independent financial advisers can help you with making the right choices for transferring your finances.
Family
Make sure that all the travelling plans are confirmed for your return journey.
Health
You will need to register with doctors and dentists once you have moved back to the UK, therefore before you relocate, start researching the different options that are available close to where you will be moving to.
Speak with your doctor and dentist in the country you currently live in to find out the process of transferring any medical records.
Financial
Notify the utilities companies of the country that you are moving from, so that the final bills will be forwarded to your new address.
If your property back home has been rented out, make sure that your letting agent knows the date you wish to occupy the property.
Notify your bank/building society that you are returning to the UK and change your address details with them.
Family
Contact the local government office of the area you are moving to and ensure that you get re-registered on the electoral role.
Confirm the starting dates with the new schools for your children and order the school uniform.
If you are using a removal company, confirm the dates that you have already agreed, to ensure that your things will be picked up and delivered at the right time.
Health
Book initial dental and doctor consultations for when you are back in the UK. – If you are taking Private Healthcare, arrange the payment of the first premium.
Other things to consider
There are many other aspects to consider once you are settled back in the UK:
• You may have monies held outside the UK in a foreign bank account that need moving into your UK bank account, thus meaning that you need to find the best exchange rates.
• Now that you have moved back to your home country, you will also need to review your overall finances to ensure that any offshore investments you have in other countries are still the best places to hold your money.
• You may need to speak with a solicitor about changing your Will and a tax adviser to learn about your tax position now that you are again a UK tax resident.
One of the major tasks that British expatriates may face, occurs when it is time to pack up and return to the UK.
How would you know what to do, when to do it and what to prioritise?
Undoubtedly, such a task would vary greatly depending on how long you have lived away from the UK. However, there are certain things that you will need to consider, whether you have been out of the UK for 1 year or 10 years.
Over the past eight years here in Vietnam I have helped many British expatriates to move back to the UK, by ensuring that their financial matters are dealt with and moved back to the UK in the most secure and structured way possible.
In addition, there are also many other aspects to everyday life that you may not have considered yet, thus I am pleased to provide you with a comprehensive ‘to do’ list which will make your transition back into UK life as stress-free as possible.
A very important aspect in moving back to the UK is making sure that you are leaving plenty of time for preparations, in order to make the move as smooth as possible for you and your family.
You may have a house sale or rental notice to consider, there might be children’s schooling that needs to be re-planned, as well as the fact that you may need to give required notice to your employers. In many instances, we would advise to start the relocation process from 10 to 12 months prior to the actual move date.
To help with this, here are some of the important elements of moving back to your home country including Financial, Family and Health, as well as the timescale in which you should start to consider taking the action.
Financial:
If you are a homeowner in the UK and your property is currently rented out, you may need to check the length of the lease and plan your move accordingly, giving the tenants enough notice.
If you are thinking of buying a property in the UK, you may need to look at the accessibility of getting a mortgage and then researching which solicitors to use for the legal work. I can help you with making the right choices for your finances.
You may also need to check the notice required on the property you are living in abroad. Whether you rent a property or own the property and intend to sell it, we would recommend speaking to local Estate Agents and collect information on the local property market.
You may also need to speak with the tax authorities in the country you are currently residing in. Make sure that your tax returns are up-to-date and any payments due between now and when you return to the UK are noted.
Family:
If you have children, one of your main concerns will be getting the right schooling. That process includes checking out the schools in the area you are moving back to and also analysing the Ofsted reports. You may then need to start applying to schools immediately, in order to guarantee a place for your child/children.
Check your passport/Visa dates for anything that may need to be reviewed prior to your move. Note the dates and mark them on your calendar, and note the address details of your local embassy in case you need to visit them. – Check any mobile and internet contracts you may have in the country you currently live in, to ensure that you know when and how much notice you will need to give.
Health:
If you will be looking for Private Medical Insurance for when you return to your home country, it is recommendable to start getting quotations. – If you have pets, make sure that all inoculations are up-to-date. There are strict regulations on the re-entry of pets and if they are not followed, your pet might be kept in quarantine.
Financial
If you need to find employment, then it is important to start a relationship with Recruitment Consultants in the UK and refresh your Curriculum Vitae. If you are taking a transfer within your company, you need to find out which costs your employer will cover.
Speak with the HMRC and inform them that you are intending to return to the UK. They will then send you the relevant details you will need to re-register in the UK.
For National Insurance contributions, contact the HMRC National Insurance Contributions Office (International Services).
I can help you with making the right choices for transferring your finances.
Family
Make sure that all the travelling plans are confirmed for your return journey.
Health
You will need to register with doctors and dentists once you have moved back to the UK, therefore before you relocate, start researching the different options that are available close to where you will be moving to.
Speak with your doctor and dentist in the country you currently live in to find out the process of transferring any medical records.
Financial
Notify the utilities companies of the country that you are moving from, so that the final bills will be forwarded to your new address.
If your property back home has been rented out, make sure that your letting agent knows the date you wish to occupy the property.
Notify your bank/building society that you are returning to the UK and change your address details with them.
Family
Contact the local government office of the area you are moving to and ensure that you get re-registered on the electoral role.
Confirm the starting dates with the new schools for your children and order the school uniform.
If you are using a removal company, confirm the dates that you have already agreed, to ensure that your things will be picked up and delivered at the right time.
Health
Book initial dental and doctor consultations for when you are back in the UK. – If you are taking Private Healthcare, arrange the payment of the first premium.
In my experience, there are many other aspects to consider once you are settled back in the UK:
You may have monies held outside the UK in a foreign bank account that need moving into your UK bank account, thus meaning that you need to find the best exchange rates.
Now that you have moved back to your home country, you will also need to review your overall finances to ensure that any offshore investments you have in other countries are still the best places to hold your money.
You may need to speak with a solicitor about changing your Will and a tax adviser to learn about your tax position now that you are again a UK tax resident.
I hope you found this helpful, please visit my website for more information on UK repatriation or contact me and book a free 30 minute consultation.