More and more Britons are exploring the possibility of living overseas, drawn by warmer climates, new career opportunities, and the chance for a fresh start. But navigating visa requirements, understanding local laws, and settling into a new culture all require careful planning and reliable guidance.

Immigration Advice Service, a UK-based team of qualified lawyers providing advice on all aspects of immigration, shared a blog with top destinations to move away from the UK, whether you are planning to retire, work or study.

Thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement, moving to Ireland is one of the simplest options available to UK citizens seeking to live abroad. The geographical proximity and shared legal arrangements between the two nations make relocation truly straightforward. Under the CTA, which long predates both countries’ membership of the European Union, British and Irish citizens can live, work, study and travel freely between the UK and Ireland without the need for a visa or residence permit.

This special arrangement also extends to accessing public services, including healthcare, social security, and education, on largely the same basis as local citizens. UK nationals are not treated as foreign migrants in Ireland, and vice versa. The ease of movement was reaffirmed after Brexit to ensure that citizens’ rights remained unchanged.

Additionally, it might be the place to go for Brits seeking a quicker access to an EU passport. After just five years of residence, they can apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation, with no need to give up their UK nationality.

However, the cost of living in Ireland tends to be higher than in the UK, where prices are comparable to those in London. If you are seeking a more affordable lifestyle, rural areas or smaller towns may be a better option, as property prices and everyday expenses are lower. For instance, the cost of living in Dublin is approximately 33% higher than in Cork.

One Reddit user said: “Culturally there are differences (but is also likely regionally specific too). It took me a good few years to get used to the vastly reduced pace of life here (especially in West Cork!). I absolutely wouldn’t change it for the world now though, and I’m in my forever home with an absolutely amazing Cork woman when I remarried recently. There are a few cultural shifts you’ll need to get used to but honestly they’ll all GOOD cultural shifts!”

This one is for those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle or a fresh start. Many British citizens are drawn to Canada for its high quality of life, excellent healthcare and education systems, abundant job opportunities, and wide-open spaces.

The shared language and cultural similarities also make integration easier. However, moving to Canada legally can be challenging. UK citizens must obtain the appropriate visa or permanent residency, often through skilled worker programmes, family sponsorship, or the Express Entry system. The process can be lengthy, competitive, and requires meeting strict points-based criteria, including education, work experience, and language proficiency, making it far less straightforward than relocating to Ireland.

One British Redditor wrote: “If you want access to nature Canada is great and it seems like a good place to raise a family. I would describe Canada as nice but bland and If you are moving from London I would be prepared to be bored. Canada doesn’t really have any culture, arts, entertainment and its probably a good 15 years behind London in terms of innovation, infrastructure etc. Im not sure what your job situation is like but if you moved from London to say Vancouver you’ll likely spending alot more for a lot less.”

Australia has long been a dream destination for British citizens, offering sunshine, high wages, and a lifestyle many can only envy. Regional towns are particularly eager to attract skilled workers, with high demand in IT, healthcare, and engineering. Many employers offer flexible hours and a healthy work-life balance, making it an appealing place to settle.

However, it’s not as simple as packing your bags. Securing the right visa can be a complex, points-based process, with strict requirements around age, experience, English proficiency, and health. Options include the Employer Nomination Scheme, Skilled Independent, Temporary Skill Shortage, Skilled Regional, and Distinguished Talent visas, each with its own hurdles. Family visas, such as those for partners, children, or parents, provide another route, but processing times can be long and approval is not guaranteed.

One Reddit user said: “The biggest thing is working out if you are eligible for a visa. It is easier from the UK than most other places, but still not automatic.”

Another added: “For the most part I have no issues, however after 13 years I still can’t get used to the humidity in summers. The only saving grace is that usually on a stupidly humid day, there’s likely to be a storm that evening, which I really love.

Something I didn’t expect was the demonic sounds birds make at night. Curlews scared the everloving shit out of me for a good few months until I learned what they are. I was one of those people who was worried about which Aussie wildlife would kill me, that I neglected to factor in which ones would just creep me out.

Another thing I didn’t expect, especially having moved over from a much colder climate… Anything below 20 degrees I now consider cold, and will get a jumper out and put warm socks on. This place changes you.”

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, has been named the city with the safest streets, according to a recent Monocle survey, and it’s no surprise that UK citizens are increasingly drawn – not just for holidays, but as a potential new life. The country has a favourable climate, stunning beaches, affordable property, and – despite recent gentrification – a lower cost of living than the UK, making it appealing for families and retirees alike.

The country has a thriving expat community, particularly in Lisbon and coastal areas such as the Algarve, and English is widely spoken, easing the challenges of day-to-day life. Gaining Portuguese citizenship is relatively straightforward for UK citizens compared with many other European countries, and there are a variety of immigration routes for those wishing to live, work, study, or invest in Portugal.

Those planning to stay more than 90 days but less than a year can apply for a Temporary Stay Visa, suitable for work, study, volunteering, medical treatment, or religious activities. For longer-term moves, a Residency Visa is required, initially issued for four months to allow time to apply for a Residency Permit, and is available for purposes such as work, study, research, professional training, or family reunification. Other specialised routes include the Tech Visa for technology professionals, the Golden Visa for significant investors, and the Start-up Visa for entrepreneurs with experience and funding.

Despite the benefits, one Reddit user warned: “I would choose another country. Portugal is going through an economic, political and housing crisis right now. The far right is growing here. It’s not the paradise some people make it out to be. The portuguese are leaving for a reason. Also, don’t expect to have a high salary in the tourism sector.”