1) Canada — The classic, spacious alternative
Why Brits like it: English (and French) language, large British expat communities, familiar institutions and legal systems, wide open spaces, strong public services.
Ease of integration: English-speaking culture and large UK-born communities make settling socially easier than in most countries. Provinces do differ in job markets and climate (coastal BC vs prairie provinces vs Ontario/Quebec).
Cost of living: Canada is generally similar or slightly lower than the UK for many day-to-day costs, but big city rents (Toronto, Vancouver) can be high. Use city-specific checks before moving.
Compare the cost of living in any Canadian City with that of the UK at www.numbeo.com
Visas: Skilled workers normally apply via Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, etc.). There are also provincial nominee programs and study/work permits. Express Entry is the central route for permanent residence; check eligibility, points, and documentation on the official site.
Discover all you need to know about getting a visa for Canada at www.canada.ca
Healthcare: Canada has a publicly funded universal system (Medicare) for citizens and most permanent residents, but it’s provincially run, so coverage, wait-times, and enrolment rules vary by province. New arrivals often need private insurance until they qualify for provincial coverage.
Learn more about healthcare in Canada at www.Canada.ca
Schooling: Public schools are generally free for permanent residents and broadly comparable to the UK; provinces manage curricula. There’s also a strong private/international school sector in big cities.
Job market & infrastructure: Strong in tech, healthcare, engineering, skilled trades, and resource sectors, although job prospects depend on your profession and province. Infrastructure is modern in urban centres, although public transport quality varies widely between cities.
Stability & safety: Canada consistently ranks high on global peace and safety indexes.
Climate change risk: ND-GAIN places Canada among the higher “readiness” countries with moderate vulnerability, which means Canada has resources to adapt, though regions face wildfire, heat, and coastal risks. Consider region-specific climate exposure (B.C. wildfires vs Atlantic storms).
Bottom line: Great overall fit for Brits who want an English-first society with strong public services and clear permanent-residence routes, be ready for an initial regional learning curve and variable housing costs.
You may also like to read: Moving to Canada. In this guide, we share the average cost of moving to Canada as well as a guide to the provinces of Canada.
2) Australia — Sunshine, and a need for skilled workers
Why Brits like it: Language, cultural familiarity, higher average salaries (offset by the higher cost of living in some cities), and a large Anglo expat community.
Ease of integration: English speaking, familiar popular culture and public systems; British credentials are well-understood.
Cost of living: Cities like Sydney and Melbourne can be costly for housing; general living costs are comparable to or higher than many parts of the UK.
You can compare the cost of living of any Australian city with the UK at www.numbeo.com
Visas: Australia runs detailed skilled-migration streams. The Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and other skilled visas (189/190/491 family/state-nominated and regional pathways) are the usual routes — they require skills assessments, points, and sometimes sponsorship.
Discover all you need to know about Australian visas at www.ukembassy.gov.au
Healthcare: Australia’s Medicare provides subsidised medical care for citizens and permanent residents; many migrants take private cover while their status is being finalised or to reduce waiting times. Public hospital quality is good overall. (Check Services Australia and Department of Health for specifics.)
Schooling: Public schools are generally good and free for residents; there’s also a large private sector. State education systems are comparable to the UK, but curricula differ.
Job market & infrastructure: Strong labour market for skilled workers (healthcare, IT, engineering, construction). Cities have strong infrastructure; regional areas have incentives for migrant workers. Transport outside major cities can be limited.
Stability & safety: Australia ranks well on safety and governance indices, though policing and regional differences matter.
Climate change risk: Australia has high exposure to extreme weather (bushfires, heatwaves, and floods). It scores well on readiness in some indices but is frequently affected by severe climate events, so choose your location carefully (coastal NSW vs more temperate Tasmania, for example). ND-GAIN analyses show significant climate-related exposure for parts of Australia.
Bottom line: Excellent if your job skills match demand and you want an English-first culture with strong public services, but budget for housing and consider climate risks by region.
You may also like to read: Moving to Australia. In this guide, you will find a guide to each of the states of Australia, as well as the average moving costs from the UK to Australia.
3) Portugal — Affordable European lifestyle, friendly to remote workers
Why Brits like it: Mild climate, relatively low cost of living (outside Lisbon), growing English-speaking expat communities, easy access to the rest of Europe.
Ease of integration: English is widely spoken in urban and tourist areas, and Portugal is known for a welcoming culture. Learning basic Portuguese helps socially and for bureaucracy.
Cost of living: Lower than the UK for some things (rent outside Lisbon and Porto, especially), but Lisbon and Algarve property prices have risen. Check up-to-date local indices for city-level data.
Compare the cost of living of any city in Portugal with the UK at www.numbeo.com
Visas: Portugal’s D7 (passive income/retiree/remote worker) and other residency pathways have become very popular with foreigners. The D7 requires proof of stable income and is a common route for retirees, remote workers, and those with passive income. Portugal also previously ran an investment-based Golden Visa (rules evolving), so always check the latest government guidance (AIMA/Ministry sites) and GOV.UK living-in-Portugal guidance.
Discover more about Visa requirements at www.gov.uk
Healthcare: Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS) provides a good standard of care; many expats supplement this with private insurance for quicker access and English-speaking practitioners in bigger cities.
Schooling: Public schools are free for residents; international schools (mainly in Lisbon/Algarve) serve English-speaking expat families.
Job market & infrastructure: The job market is improving in tech, tourism, and services, but salaries are lower than in the UK; many expats work remotely for foreign employers or start small businesses. Portugal’s infrastructure is reliable (transport, internet), and Lisbon has become a digital-nomad hub.
Stability & safety: Portugal scores well for safety and political stability in global indices.
Climate change risk: Portugal faces heatwaves, wildfires, and drought risk along with Mediterranean climate stresses; ND-GAIN readiness is moderate, and adaptation is an active national priority. Southern regions are hotter/drier, which may affect your choice of moving there.
Bottom line: Fantastic for Brits seeking easier access to EU travel, a relaxed lifestyle, and relatively low living costs, ideal if you can work remotely, have passive income, or accept lower local salaries.
You may also like to read: Moving to Portugal. In this guide, you will find regional guides as well as the average costs of moving from the UK to Portugal.
4) New Zealand — Calm, English-first, and outdoorsy
Why Brits like it: English language, cultural similarity, strong public services, appealing outdoor lifestyle, and political stability.
Ease of integration: English is the native language, and many Brits find the cultural transition straightforward.
Cost of living: Varies; Auckland and Wellington have higher housing costs, though many regions are more affordable. Numbeo lists New Zealand in a similar ballpark to Canada for the cost of living.
Compare the cost of living between any NZ city and the UK at www.numbeo.com
Visas: New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category and other skilled residence pathways are the common route to residency; the process includes points-based EOI, skills assessments, and sometimes job offer requirements. Immigration New Zealand’s official pages explain eligibility and process.
Discover all you need to know about visas for New Zealand at www.gov.uk
Healthcare: A public system provides subsidised healthcare to residents and citizens; private insurance is common, while applications are processed or to expedite services. Quality is generally high, though specialist waiting times can be an issue.
Schooling: Public schools are free for residents and have high standards; there are also private and international schools.
Job market & infrastructure: Demand for skilled workers in healthcare, construction, IT, and engineering; urban infrastructure is solid, though public transport outside main cities is limited.
Stability & safety: NZ ranks highly on peace and safety indices; New Zealand is consistently among the world’s safest countries.
Climate change risk: Low vulnerability overall and good readiness in ND-GAIN terms, but local risks include coastal sea-level rise, flooding, and earthquakes (geological hazard separate from climate). Choose your region with these factors in mind.
Bottom line: Perfect for Brits seeking English-language ease, good public services, and an outdoorsy, safe lifestyle, but bear in mind that housing in big cities can be pricey.
You may also like to read: Moving to New Zealand. In this guide, you will find guides to each region of New Zealand as well as the average costs to relocate to New Zealand.
5) Spain — Lifestyle, sunshine, and it’s close to family and friends
Why Brits like it: Mediterranean climate, established British expat communities especially in coastal areas, relatively affordable living (outside major cities), and easy EU travel.
Ease of integration: Large UK-born communities and English is widely spoken in holiday/expat zones; although learning Spanish is strongly recommended for better integration, and in more rural areas.
Cost of living: Often cheaper than the UK for everyday expenses (food, utilities), though property and rental prices in popular areas are getting more expensive. City-level checks are essential.
Compare the cost of living for any city in Spain with the UK at www.numbeo.com
Visas: Post-Brexit, UK visitors have 90 days in Schengen without a visa, but longer-term residency normally requires national visas such as the non-lucrative visa (for those with independent income) or other residence/work permits; rules have been changing (golden visas and related schemes change regularly), so use consulate official guidance.
Discover all you need to know about getting your visa at www.gov.uk
Healthcare: Spain has an excellent public healthcare system for residents; many expats use private insurance to access English-speaking practitioners or reduce wait times.
Schooling: Free or low-cost public schooling for residents, plus many international schools in urban and coastal expat hubs.
Job market & infrastructure: Opportunities in tourism, hospitality, teaching (English), tech hubs (Madrid/Barcelona), and remote work. Wages in some sectors are lower than in the UK, so many movers either work for foreign employers remotely or retire.
Stability & safety: Spain ranks well for safety and democratic stability; regional variations exist but are modest overall.
Climate change risk: Southern Europe is experiencing strong climate pressure, heatwaves, water stress, and wildfire risk are rising. Coastal sea-level concerns apply to low-lying areas; this is a real medium-term consideration. Use ND-GAIN regional data when choosing your location.
Bottom line: Fantastic for sunshine, food, and lifestyle. Ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking good schools, but watch regional climate trends and keep an eye on those visa rules.
You may also like to read: Moving to Spain. In this guide, you will find regional guides as well as the average cost of moving from the UK to Spain.
Practical checklist before you move
- Visas: Check the official immigration page for the target country (don’t rely on forum summaries because they may be out of date). I linked the official pages above for each country; start there.
- Healthcare cover: arrange private international health insurance for the first 3–6 months (rules vary for when you become eligible for public care).
- Schooling: contact local councils/education authorities early if you have kids, as school catchment and enrolment rules vary.
- Cost-of-living: use city-level comparisons for rent and groceries.
- Climate & location: look up ND-GAIN and regional climate risk (wildfires, floods, sea-level rise) before buying property.
You may also like to read: Should I Move Abroad? In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of moving to another country.
Which is the Best Country for Brits to Move to?
There’s no single “best” country for every Brit; it depends on whether you prioritise language ease, quick routes to permanent residency, wages, sunshine, low living costs, or being in the EU.
Broadly:
- Choose Canada if you want a stable, English-first country with clear PR routes and diverse regional options.
- Choose Australia if you want higher salaries and an English culture (and your skills are in demand).
- Choose Portugal if you want EU access, a Mediterranean lifestyle, and relatively low costs (and can rely on passive/remote income).
- Choose New Zealand if safety, outdoor lifestyle, and English culture are priorities.
- Choose Spain if you prioritise sunshine, food, and relaxed Mediterranean living (with EU benefits), but watch visa changes and local climate trends.
And if you are still undecided which country would best suit you, watch out for next week’s blog post, in which we will take a look at 5 slightly under-the-radar countries for people wanting to emigrate that you may find really appealing.
In the meantime, be sure to visit the international section of our home moving blog for guides to make every aspect of your move easier, cheaper, and safer, as well as numerous country guides.
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