Moving back to the UK: The ultimate checklist for former expats

If you’re returning to the UK after living elsewhere, you’re probably looking forward to coming home. Whether it’s new friends, family or a job that’s bringing you back, you’re starting a new chapter.

Returning home after living abroad can be challenging. Policies change, current events have an impact and your age and location have unique implications. Follow the steps from this checklist to make your move easier.

1. Moving back to the UK? Get your taxes right.

When you return to the UK, you assume your right to become a UK resident again. As a resident, you’re subject to the same rules as someone who never left. You pay taxes on both your UK income and gains, and any foreign income and gains (unless your permanent home remains outside of the UK). You may need to register for a self-assessment, especially if you're an entrepreneur or will continue earning foreign income once you’ve come home.

If you’re returning to the UK within five years, income made from wages abroad won’t be taxed, just income made from investments and other assets. You should plan to file a tax return if your foreign income is above £300, or if you have any other income to report (salary, dividends, etc.). The UK tax year goes from early April 6 to April 5 of the following year. If you were abroad less than a full tax year, you'll still pay UK tax on foreign income for the duration of time you were away.

2. Move your pension from abroad to the UK.

If you had a pension abroad, you should consider moving it back to the UK. UK pensions have favourable terms, and the government has created an accessible pension framework. Also, having a domestic pension can remove holdups for you when you need to access your money. It’ll also minimise the annual reporting that you’re responsible for.

In most cases as a Brit, your foreign pension will be in a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). If your foreign pension does not fall under QROPS, your options are more varied and likely, trickier.

You might be entitled to refunds if your pension has already been taxed abroad, since UK pensioners expect to pay less than 30% in taxes. It can be difficult to find UK financial advisers that understand international pension schemes, especially in highly regulated countries like the US. Many British advisers won’t be trained or authorised to work on international pensions. Your best bet is to contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to ask about your specific situation.

Under the QROPS scheme, the British government has created a framework for individuals who want to return home eventually. The process of transferral is as simple as contacting HM Revenue and Customs. You then have two options with a QROPS pension:

• Transfer it to any other approved UK pension pot without paying taxes or penalties
• Leave your pension where it is, and when the time comes to withdraw benefits, you can expect to be taxed similarly to a domestic UK pension

The contacts you can reach out to for further assistance are:

• The International Pension Centre
• HMRC

3. Sell your house abroad and buy a new one in the UK

Arrange a temporary place to stay for when you move back to the UK. Especially in cities, the market is hot, and it’s easier to look for a permanent home from inside the country. You can find temporary housing on short notice by using Airbnb or Spareroom. You can also start browsing UK properties on Rightmove. Buying a house in the UK is a long and convoluted process that can sometimes take upwards of a year.

As such, sell your property abroad first. Listing your property, completing the paperwork and closing out the sale always takes longer than you think. That way, you’ll have a clean slate once you’re back.

4. Take care of your health care before returning to the UK

When you’re relocating to the UK, make sure you understand and settle all outstanding payments in the country you were living. You don’t want to be surprised by collections calls or interest payments on a neglected foreign bill.

Where possible, have your health and dental records sent back to the UK. Once received, they can be entered into the NHS data system, which will create a more complete picture of your health profile. You may need an official translator to transcribe your files into English - the NHS won’t accept documentation in other languages.

5. Returning to the UK with kids? Let the school know.

If you’re returning to the UK with children, take timing into account. Before leaving, notify your local school and official school authorities that you’re returning home. Give them your forwarding address in case they need to reach you. Also make sure that you’ve closed out any administrative business. It can’t hurt to ask them for recommendations for reading and continuing education resources, to make sure the transition is as seamless as possible for your child.

It’s easiest to move during summer holidays, so that they can start the school year in their new school. A good first step is to contact the British authority that deals with school admissions in the area you’re moving to. Some areas may have difficulty placing children at specific schools, so arrange this in advance of the school term if possible. It’s best to know where your child will be before leaving for the UK.

For more information, you can contact:

• The Headmasters and Headmistresses’ Conference
• State Boarding Schools Forum
• UK Council for Overseas Student Affairs

6. Send your money back to the UK

Moving back to the UK usually means that you'll also have to send your money home. If you kept your British bank account open while you were gone, you can transfer money directly into it.

If you open a multi-currency account such as the Wise Borderless account, you can hold and manage money in several different currencies, paying bills in the currency that suits you. This is ideal if you’ll still have business abroad, you find the current exchange rate not so favourable or you simply want to maintain a financial link to the country you’re leaving.

You can always rely on bank transfers to move your money into the UK. However, be aware that banks often build in steep surcharges and marked up exchange rates. To set up transfers to the UK, you may also need a PINSentry or other card reader.

Another safe and cheap option is to use Wise to send money from an account abroad into a British bank account. With a simple user interface and top-rated security, you can take the hassle out of international money exchange.

Returning home can’t happen overnight. You’re going to face holdups and a major adjustment period. But there’s a lot you can do ahead of time to ease the pain. Before you know it, you’ll be planning your housewarming party.

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