United Kingdom (GB)

Apply for a National Insurance Number (NINo)

Your National Insurance Number (NINo) is your unique identifier for the UK tax and benefits system. You need it before you can be paid by an employer, claim benefits, or make NI contributions. Apply online through the government's NINo application service as soon as you arrive. You will need your passport or Biometric Residence Permit/eVisa, proof of address, and details of your employment or course.

Register for Council Tax

Council Tax is a local tax paid by occupiers of residential properties (not landlords, unless the property is empty). You must register with your local council when you move into a new address. Each council band (A–H, based on property value as of 1991) determines your bill. Full-time students are exempt; single occupancy gives a 25% discount. Check your council's website to register online. Council Tax is typically around £1,200–2,500/year depending on band and location.

Register with a GP (Doctor)

In the UK, your GP (General Practitioner) is your gateway to the NHS — you need a registered GP to access NHS services, get prescriptions, referrals to specialists, and out-of-hours care. Registration is free and you are entitled to register with any GP practice that has space (you do not need to be in the practice's catchment area, though local practices often require it). You do not need an NHS number to register, though one will be assigned to you. Download the NHS App after registering to manage appointments and view your medical record.

Declare foreign income and overseas assets via Self Assessment

UK tax residents must declare worldwide income to HMRC, including foreign employment income, rental income from overseas property, foreign dividends, interest, and pension income. This is done via Self Assessment using the SA106 (foreign income) supplementary pages. If you have overseas bank accounts or assets worth over £5,000, you may also need to complete the SA109 (residence and remittance) pages. The deadline is 31 January for online returns.

Register for Council Tax and apply for reductions you qualify for

Every adult occupying a UK home is liable. 2026/27 Band D average: £2,392. Single-person households: 25% discount. Full-time students fully exempt. Councils cross-reference electoral roll and tenancy data.

Register children at local state school through Local Authority

Free state schooling ages 5–16 (extended to 18 in further education). Apply via Local Authority admissions portal — GOV.UK has school finder. Deadline for primary and secondary admissions: January 15 for September intake.

Register newborn within 42 days (21 in Scotland)

England & Wales: 42 days; Scotland: 21 days. Free registration; first short certificate free; additional copies £12.50 (2026). Unlocks NHS number, Child Benefit, school pre-registration.

Pass the Right to Rent check before signing any tenancy

Landlords must verify your immigration status under Right to Rent. From 2025 most checks are digital via your UKVI share code. Landlords face £20,000 per-tenant fines for non-compliance — many refuse unverifiable applicants.

BRP replaced by eVisa — create your UKVI account before travel

From 1 January 2025, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) were replaced by digital "eVisas." All BRP holders must create a UKVI account at gov.uk to link their immigration status to their passport. In 2026, travel, right-to-work, and right-to-rent checks all rely on your eVisa share code. Failing to transition may cause border delays and employer/landlord check failures.

Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) with your visa

The IHS grants NHS access as if you were ordinarily resident. In 2026 the surcharge is £1,035/year (Skilled Worker, Family) and £776/year (Students/under-18s). Paid upfront for the full visa duration during application.

Upgrade pre-settled to settled status after 5 years of residence

Pre-settled holders must upgrade to settled after 5 years continuous residence. Since 2024 the Home Office auto-extends by 2 years and attempts auto-conversion using HMRC/DWP data, but many still need manual applications. >6 months abroad in any year breaks continuity.

Verify National Insurance contributions are being deducted correctly

Once you have your NINo and are employed, verify that your employer is deducting the correct Class 1 National Insurance contributions from your payslip. NI Class 1 employee rate (2026): 8% on earnings between £12,570–£50,270/year, 2% above £50,270. Self-employed pay Class 4 NI. NI contributions count towards State Pension entitlement (you need 35 qualifying years for a full new State Pension of £241.30/week (2026/27)). Check your NI record online at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record.

Import pet to GB: AHC + microchip + rabies rules

GB accepts EU/listed-third-country pets via PETS scheme: microchip, rabies vaccine (>21 days), tapeworm treatment for dogs (24–120 hours pre-entry), AHC (<10 days old). Non-listed countries need rabies titer + 3-month wait.

Arrange UK car insurance — foreign NCB may not transfer

No insurance: £300 fine + 6 points. UK insurers often do not accept NCB from non-EEA countries. Expat-specialist brokers accept EU/Commonwealth NCB letters. Average 2026 premium: £630/year fully-comp.

Apply for Universal Credit if you are unemployed or on a low income

Universal Credit (UC) has replaced Jobseeker's Allowance for most new claimants. Apply online on the first day you are unemployed — UC is not backdated. You must have a right to reside and pass the habitual residence test. UC pays a standard allowance (£424.90/month for single adults over 25 in 2026/27 (£338.58/month for under 25s)) plus additional elements for housing, children, and disabilities. You must meet work-search requirements and report any income changes immediately.

Open a UK Bank Account

A UK bank account is essential for receiving salary, paying rent, setting up direct debits, and building a UK credit score. New arrivals often face a "chicken and egg" problem — traditional banks ask for proof of address, but you need a bank account to set up housing. The solution: open a neobank (Monzo or Starling) first using your passport and selfie — no UK address or credit history required. Once you have a bank statement, use it to open a traditional account if needed.

Register to vote (improves credit score even if not voting)

British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth, and some EU citizens can register. Elections Act 2022 requires photo ID at polling stations. EU citizens arriving after 31 Dec 2020 no longer have automatic local voting rights except under reciprocal agreements (Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Denmark, Poland).

Register with the energy supplier on move-in and take meter readings

Take meter readings and register with the incumbent supplier to avoid back-bills at emergency tariff. Ofgem 2026 price cap applies to standard variable tariffs. Low-income households may get £150 Warm Home Discount.

Get a UK SIM card for banking 2FA and gov.uk services

A UK mobile number is essential for banking two-factor authentication, NHS registration, HMRC and DWP communications, and most UK online services. Top networks: EE (best coverage), O2, Vodafone UK, Three. Budget MVNOs: giffgaff (on O2), SMARTY (on Three), Lebara, Lycamobile. Prepaid SIMs are available at supermarkets and phone shops — no address proof or credit check required.

Create a GOV.UK One Login account for digital government services

GOV.UK One Login is the UK government's unified digital identity system, replacing the old Government Gateway and Verify accounts. Use it to access HMRC self-assessment, Child Benefit, Universal Credit, DWP services, and many other gov.uk digital services. Registration requires a UK mobile number and a valid identity document. Many services still use the legacy HMRC Government Gateway login — keep both credentials stored safely.

Set up daily essentials: supermarkets, pharmacy, and neighbourhood orientation

Get oriented with daily life in the UK. Major supermarket chains from budget to premium: Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Waitrose, and M&S Food. Pharmacies: Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, and independent chemists — NHS prescriptions cost £9.90 per item (2026, England); free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; free for under-16s, over-60s, and those on certain benefits. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPC) cap costs at £114.50/year (2026/27) if you need multiple items. Council tax, TV licence (£180.00/year, 2026/27), and utilities are your responsibility as a tenant.

Create a GOV.UK One Login Account

GOV.UK One Login is the UK government's unified digital identity platform, replacing the fragmented Government Gateway logins. It gives you one set of credentials for HMRC, DVLA, DWP, UKVI, and other government services. Create your account as soon as possible — it will be required for Self Assessment tax returns, checking your NI record, driving licence services, and state benefit claims.

Apply to UK university via UCAS — deadline January 29 for 2026 entry

UCAS (ucas.com) is the national admissions system for UK universities. Application fee: £27.50 (up to 5 choices). International students: same UCAS process. Tuition: £9,535/year for home students (2026), £15,000–38,000 for international. Student finance via gov.uk/student-finance.

Understand your UK employment rights and get a written employment contract

All employees in the UK are entitled to a written statement of employment particulars from day one. Key rights (2026): National Living Wage £12.71/hour (21+), £10.85 (18–20), £8.00 (16–17); 28 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays); statutory sick pay (SSP) £123.25/week from day 1 of illness (from 6 April 2026), for up to 28 weeks; auto-enrolment into a workplace pension (at least 8% total contributions — 5% employee, 3% employer minimum); 52 weeks maternity leave (39 weeks paid at statutory rates); right to request flexible working from day one.

Ensure your employment contract meets UK law and check your worker rights

All UK employees are entitled to a written statement of employment particulars from day 1. Key worker rights in 2026: National Living Wage £12.71/hour (21+), £10.85 (18–20), £8.00 (under 18); 28 days paid annual leave including bank holidays (can be pro-rated for part-time); Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) £123.25/week from day 1 of illness (from 6 April 2026), for up to 28 weeks; auto-enrolment into a workplace pension (minimum 8% total — 5% employee, 3% employer); 52 weeks maternity leave (39 weeks paid at statutory rates); unfair dismissal protection after 2 years; right to request flexible working from day 1. EU/EEA nationals with settled/pre-settled status have full employment rights. Non-EEA nationals need a valid visa with right to work.

Give Notice of marriage 29+ days ahead (70 if immigration control)

Give Notice at your local Register Office 29 days before wedding (70 days if either party is subject to immigration control under the Referral and Investigation Scheme). 2026 fee: £35 per person (£47 if referred).

Check Your UK State Pension Forecast

Check your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast to understand how many qualifying NI years you have and what you are projected to receive. You can also see whether buying voluntary Class 3 NI contributions (£18.40/week, 2026/27) would increase your pension. You need 35 qualifying NI years for the full New State Pension (£241.30/week, 2026/27) and 10 years minimum for any pension. For those who have worked in multiple countries, totalization agreements may allow overseas pension contributions to count.

Confirm Auto-Enrolment Workplace Pension and Consider SIPP

If you earn above £10,000/year and are aged 22–66, your employer must automatically enrol you in a workplace pension. Confirm your employer has enrolled you and check the contribution rates (minimum: 5% employee, 3% employer). Consider opening a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) for additional retirement savings — especially if self-employed (no employer contributions apply). The annual pension allowance is £60,000. Private pension access age rises from 55 to 57 in April 2028.

Register with an NHS Dentist

NHS dental care is available but practices are often fully subscribed — finding an NHS dentist who is accepting new patients can be challenging, especially in London and rural areas. NHS dental charges are banded: Band 1 (examination, scale and polish): £27.90; Band 2 (fillings, extractions): £76.60; Band 3 (crowns, dentures): £332.10 (2026/27, from 1 April 2026). Children and pregnant women receive free NHS dental care. Some visa holders may be entitled to free dental care — check eligibility.

Confirm tenancy deposit is in a protected scheme within 30 days

England & Wales landlords on ASTs must protect your deposit within 30 days and issue Prescribed Information. Non-protected deposits: tenant can claim 1–3× the deposit and landlord cannot serve Section 21 notice.

Understand National Insurance classes and confirm correct deductions

National Insurance (NI) contributions fund the UK State Pension, NHS, and certain benefits. Your NI class depends on your work status. Class 1 (employees): 8% on earnings £12,570–£50,270; 2% above. Class 4 (self-employed): 6% on profits £12,570–£50,270; 2% above. Class 2 (self-employed): abolished for UK self-employed from April 2024 — self-employed now pay Class 4 NI only. Class 3: voluntary contributions £18.40/week (2026/27) to fill gaps for State Pension. You need 35 qualifying NI years for a full New State Pension (£241.30/week, 2026/27), minimum 10 years for any pension. Check your NI record and forecast at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record. Expats who have paid NI in other countries may be able to claim totalization benefits.

Take out home contents insurance (and buildings insurance if you own your home)

Contents insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended — and required by most tenancy agreements. It covers theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage to your belongings. If you own your home, buildings insurance (covering the structure) is usually required by your mortgage lender. As a tenant, only contents insurance is needed. Many insurers combine both in a single "home insurance" policy.

Enrol in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes if needed

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are available free or at low cost at Further Education (FE) colleges for eligible learners. In England, ESOL is fully funded by the government for adults receiving certain benefits (Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, or Income Support) and heavily subsidised for others. Courses range from Entry Level 1 (beginner) to Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE). English B1/B2 or ESOL Level 1/2 certificates are required for the UK Settlement / Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Life in the UK test pathway.

Get a TV Licence (if watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer)

A TV Licence (£180.00/year from 1 April 2026, 2026/27) is required if you: watch any channel live (including online) at the time of broadcast, or download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer at any time — even if you only watch on your phone or laptop. A single licence covers everyone at an address. You do not need one if you only watch on-demand services (Netflix, Disney+, ITVX, Channel 4) without BBC iPlayer and without live TV. Over-75s on Pension Credit: free TV Licence.

Register Pet with a UK Vet and Check Microchip

If you have brought a pet to the UK, register with a local vet immediately after arrival. All dogs in England, Scotland, and Wales must be microchipped (and the microchip registered on a compliant database such as Petlog or Microchip Central). Cats must be microchipped from June 2024. Keep your pet's rabies vaccination up to date if travelling internationally. Check XL Bully ownership restrictions if applicable.

Understand your UK income tax bands and PAYE tax code

UK income tax is collected through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) for employed persons. 2025/26 tax bands: Personal Allowance £12,570 (0% tax), Basic rate 20% (£12,571–£50,270), Higher rate 40% (£50,271–£125,140), Additional rate 45% (above £125,140). Your employer uses a tax code to determine how much to deduct — check your tax code on your payslip or P60. Common codes: 1257L (standard personal allowance), W1/M1 (emergency codes — require action). Tax year runs 6 April to 5 April. If you arrived mid-year, you may have overpaid — claim a refund at gov.uk/claim-tax-refund. Non-residents: check UK–source income rules. Scottish income tax rates differ slightly.

Check your tax code and verify PAYE deductions on your first payslip

When you start work in the UK your employer deducts income tax via PAYE (Pay As You Earn) using a tax code issued by HMRC. The standard tax code for 2025/26 is 1257L (representing the £12,570 personal allowance). Emergency tax codes (W1, M1, or 0T) are used when HMRC has not issued your correct code — these can result in over-deduction. Check your payslip tax code and review it at HMRC's Personal Tax Account.

Claim Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a regular payment for parents or guardians responsible for children under 16 (or under 20 if in approved education/training). Not means-tested at point of receipt but subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) if household income exceeds £60,000. Even high earners should claim — the claiming parent receives NI credits (protecting State Pension entitlement). Apply immediately after birth or arrival — it is not backdated more than 3 months. Rates: £27.05/week first child; £17.90/week each additional child (2026/27).