22 January 2015

8 tips for retiring abroad

For many, retiring to settle down in a place with warmer weather, different scenery and a change in lifestyle is an appealing prospect.

But there are many things to consider to help ensure a smooth transition.With six million British nationals planning to head overseas when they retire, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is teaming up with ‘A Place in the Sun’ to urge UK retirees and others considering a move abroad to think long-term and plan thoroughly.

Here are our tips for a smoother move abroad

Don’t rush into buying abroad

Visit the area and consider renting first. Take time to make an informed choice

Do your homework

Visit expat forum to get a feel for the area, and research the local laws and customs

Be part of a community

Making an effort to learn the local language can help you settle in your new home

Consider your long-term financial requirements

Find out how exchange rates and inflation will affect your income, pension and/or benefits, and calculate the cost of living.

Read up on tax regulations

Research the taxes that will apply to you in your new home and in the UK

Plan for your health

Take out health insurance until you are registered under the local state system

Tell the right people that you’re leaving

You need to notify:

Social Security Office
HM Revenue & Customs
Department of Work & Pensions
Your GP

Seek independent legal advice

Choose a legal advisor who understands the law in the country you are moving to.

Cara Fortune, from the FCO’s Know Before You Go team comments:

“A permanent or semi-permanent move overseas involves many practical and social changes. Integrating into the community, by learning the local language for example, can help you settle in to your new home. Although it is easy to connect with friends and family back in the UK, making friends close by will prove helpful down the line. Being friendly with local people gives you an opportunity to learn not just the language, but also the culture, and discover things about your new home country that the average tourist doesn’t get to experience. Remember, your life abroad will be more than bricks and mortar!”

Carole Hallett Mobbs, editor of ExpatChild.com, moved to South Africa over a year ago and comments:

“I speak to British expats frequently, and often people forget simple, everyday steps such as cancelling their water back in the UK, which is a difficult task when you could be thousands of miles away. I would advise those looking to move abroad not to cut all financial ties with their home country when they move. Having a UK bank account left open can prove extremely useful when you discover an outstanding bill or utility needs sorting out, or in case of an emergency. Successful expats are those who go into their new life with their eyes open, and with a sense of adventure tempered by realism. The grass isn’t greener, it’s just different grass.”

If you are planning to move abroad, visit Living Abroad for more information, or watch this video guide.. If you know the country you would like to move to, check the FCO’s Living In guides here for more details.

For more information visit Know Before You Go

If you have any enquiries for FCO consular staff before you go or while abroad you can use the FCO’s Twitter service @FCOtravel. Questions are answered 9am-6pm BST, Monday to Friday and FCO staff aim to respond within 30 minutes. This service adds to the ways that British people travelling or living overseas can already get in touch with the FCO: by emailing our travel advice team or contacting local consular staff.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest FCO travel advice by signing up to the FCO’s Facebook and Twitter feeds: www.facebook.com/fcotravel or twitter.com/fcotravel.

Information about how the FCO can help British nationals abroad:

The FCO can:

Issue you with an emergency travel document
Provide information about transferring money
Provide help if you have suffered rape or serious sexual or physical assault, are a victim of crime, are ill or in hospital
Give you a list of local lawyers, interpreters, doctors or funeral directors
Contact you if you are detained abroad
Contact friends and family back home for you if you wish
Provide help in cases of forced marriage
Assist people affected by parental child abduction

The FCO cannot:

Help you enter a country if you do not have a valid passport or necessary visas
Give you legal advice or translate documents
Investigate crimes or get you out of prison
Get you better treatment in hospital or prison than is given to local people, but we will raise concerns if treatment falls below internationally recognised standards
Pay any bills or give you money
Make travel arrangements for you

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