Moving to England from America: A practical guide

Moving to England from America often builds gradually before suddenly becoming real.

Whether driven by work, family ties, or a lifestyle change, the move involves more practical steps than most people expect, and more decisions about where and how to live than many guides acknowledge. This one sets out to address both.

Why Americans choose England when moving from the US

England has a pull that is difficult to articulate. For Americans making the move, the reasons are widely discussed.

The country sits at the centre of a continent. Paris is around two hours fifteen to two hours thirty minutes from London by train, Rome is around a two-and-a-half to three-hour flight depending on airports and routing, and the great ski resorts of Austria and France are within easy reach by air. For Americans accustomed to long-haul travel, that proximity to so much of Europe comes as a genuine revelation.

Then there is the education system. England’s independent schools are often regarded as among the strongest in the world, and its state sector includes grammar schools, outstanding comprehensives, and specialist colleges that many families find comparable with leading US options at the equivalent level. For those relocating with children, this matters enormously.

The National Health Service means that healthcare is generally provided without direct charges at the point of treatment, although most long-term visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their application, and some charges, such as prescription costs in England, can still apply.

For Americans used to navigating insurance networks and out-of-pocket costs, the shift in how healthcare works in daily life is still significant.

And there is the country itself. England is small by American standards, yet the variety it contains is extraordinary. Medieval cities, chalk downland, ancient woodland, market towns that have barely changed in centuries. England offers a uniquely rich historical environment that continues to draw those seeking a sense of place and permanence.

Before moving to England from America: the key steps

Visas and the right to remain

The practical groundwork for moving to England from America begins well before any removal van is booked. Visa status is the first and most consequential matter to resolve.

US citizens do not have an automatic right to live and work in England. The most common routes are the Skilled Worker Visa, which requires a confirmed job offer from a licensed UK employer; the Family Visa, for those joining a British or settled partner or spouse; and the UK Ancestry Visa, which is available to Commonwealth citizens who can prove a grandparent was born in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man and who meet the other eligibility requirements.

Each route has its own criteria, processing timescales, and fees. The UK government’s visa checker is a useful starting point, though specialist immigration advice is worth seeking early, as the application process is detailed and errors are costly.

From 8 January 2025, US citizens travelling to the UK for short visits generally need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), unless they have a British or Irish passport or permission to live, work, or study in the UK. This is distinct from a visa and must be obtained before travel.

Driving, banking, and everyday essentials

Once visa status is confirmed, other practical steps follow. In many cases, you can drive in Great Britain on a US driving licence for up to 12 months after becoming resident, but the rules depend on your circumstances. Check the GOV.UK non-GB licence guidance before driving.

Registering with a local GP practice is the gateway to NHS care and should be done promptly on arrival, as practices can have waiting lists.

Opening a UK bank account will require proof of identity and address, and some banks are more accommodating of new arrivals than others. On the question of a National Insurance number, the UK equivalent of a Social Security number, you might already have one depending on your immigration status. If you do not, you can apply after arrival in the UK.

Tax considerations for US citizens abroad

Those moving to England from America should take early advice on their tax position. As a US citizen, you remain liable to file federal tax returns regardless of where you live in the world.

The US-UK tax treaty exists to prevent double taxation, and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credit provide further relief in most cases. The interaction between the two systems is complex enough to warrant professional guidance from an adviser experienced in cross-border taxation.

Immigration rules, tax arrangements, and property regulations can change, so it is prudent to check the latest official guidance and take professional advice tailored to your circumstances.

Moving to England from America: Choosing where to live

England is not a monolith. The experience of living in central London is as different from life in a North Yorkshire market town as Manhattan is from rural Vermont. Getting this decision right matters.

The framework most people find useful is to start with three variables: where you need to be for work, how much space you want, and how important proximity to London or an international airport is. From those three, a shortlist of regions usually emerges.

London and the commuter belt

For professionals moving to England from America for corporate or financial roles, London remains the default. It is one of the world’s great cities, and for those who want cultural density, an international community, and direct flights home, it is hard to argue against.

The challenge is cost. Prime central London property is among the most expensive in the world, and even the commuter belt, covering Surrey, Hertfordshire, parts of Kent and Berkshire, commands significant premiums for good family homes near fast rail links.

That said, the commuter belt has a lot to offer: space, large gardens, outstanding schools, and a pace of life that many American families find closer to what they had imagined when they pictured life in England.

Market towns and the countryside

Further afield, England’s market towns and cathedral cities offer a quality of life that consistently surprises those who discover them.

Winchester in Hampshire, Harrogate in Yorkshire, Ludlow in Shropshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire, to name but a few: these are places with genuine character that often have strong independent local economies, highly regarded schools, and communities that many newcomers settle into quickly.

Property here offers considerably more space per pound than London, and many are within ninety minutes of the capital by train.

For families in particular, the combination of outstanding independent and state schooling, large gardens, access to national parks and countryside, and a genuine sense of community makes this part of England deeply appealing. Many of the American families Garrington has helped over the years have ended up not in London, but somewhere like this.

Buying property in England as an American expat

Who can buy, and how the process works

There are generally no nationality-based restrictions on buying property in England, and non-residents can purchase, although financing and compliance checks can be more involved. What catches many American buyers off guard is not who can buy, but how the process works.

The English property transaction system has no built-in buyer representation. In the US, a buyer’s agent works on your behalf as standard. In England, the estate agent is instructed by and acts for the seller. Unless you appoint someone specifically to represent your interests, a property finder or buying agent, you are navigating the market without an advocate.

For Americans relocating without local knowledge, this asymmetry matters. A buying agent with regional expertise can sometimes identify suitable properties before they reach the wider market, negotiate on your behalf with full knowledge of local values, and guide you through a conveyancing process that differs in several important ways from the US system.

There is no equivalent of escrow, and the period between agreeing a price and exchanging contracts, during which either party can withdraw without penalty, can last several months.

Leasehold, freehold, and what they mean for buyers

The leasehold and freehold distinction is another area where American buyers benefit from guidance. Most houses in England are sold freehold, meaning outright ownership of the building and land. Many flats and some houses are leasehold, where ownership is time-limited and subject to service charges and ground rent. The detail matters, particularly on older leases where terms can be restrictive or costly to extend.

Moving to England from America with your belongings and your pets

For larger household shipments, sea freight is the standard route: cost-effective, reliable, and well-served by specialist international movers. Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive, and is generally reserved for items needed immediately on arrival.

Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief may allow you to import household goods without paying UK import duty or VAT, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

Moving pets from America to England requires more planning than most people expect.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before travel, and must arrive via approved routes with authorised carriers. Dogs usually require tapeworm treatment administered by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than five days (120 hours) before arrival in Great Britain, recorded in the pet travel documentation.

You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you are coming directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, or Norway. Engaging a specialist pet relocation service early in the process is strongly advisable.

Frequently asked questions about moving to England from America

Is it worth moving to the UK from the US?

For many Americans, yes, particularly those drawn by European travel, the school system, healthcare, or a slower and more community-rooted pace of life. The trade-offs are real: properties are smaller, salaries in most sectors are lower than US equivalents, and the tax and administrative complexity of being a US citizen abroad is genuine. That said, many expatriates report a high quality of life, depending on priorities such as schools, travel access, and community.

Can a US citizen buy property in England?

Yes. There are generally no nationality-based restrictions on buying residential property in England, and non-residents can also buy, though mortgage availability and compliance checks can be more involved.

How do I move to England permanently?

Permanent residence in England, formally known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, is currently typically available after five continuous years on a qualifying visa (subject to meeting the route requirements). After holding ILR for twelve months, you may apply for British citizenship. The route begins with securing the correct visa for your circumstances.

Can I move to England without a job?

Yes, through certain routes. The Family Visa does not require employment. Other routes generally require either employment or independent financial means. Always check current eligibility requirements on the UK government website before applying.

What is the best area of England to live in as an American?

It depends entirely on your priorities. London and its commuter belt suit those who need city access and value international connectivity. Cathedral cities and market towns consistently attract families seeking space, schools, and community. The answer almost always becomes clearer once you have spent time in different parts of the country.

For Americans moving to England from the US, understanding both the visa process and the realities of the English property market is often what makes the move feel manageable.

For help and guidance when moving to England from America, contact Garrington for an initial no-obligation discussion regarding your plans.