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Europe · English · updated 2026-10

Moving to the United Kingdom: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $3,100 a month to live in London, and a family of four about $6,600, including rent. The United Kingdom usually lets you apply for permanent residence after 5 yrs, with citizenship after 6 yrs, and dual citizenship is allowed. You can move here without a job offer through the Global Talent and the High Potential Individual.

Monthly budget
$3,100
High cost
Safety
66
Safe
Stability
75
Stable
Family
78
Excellent
Main city
London
Language
English
Permanent residence
5 yrs
Citizenship
6 yrs
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Digital nomad visa
No
What can your passport do in the United Kingdom?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
Open the interactive index →

Cost of living in United Kingdom, per month in US$

One person
$3,100
Family of four
$6,600
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, London centre
$1,700
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$3,150
Estimate
Price level
92
US = 100
Income per person
$4,546
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
66
Safe
Homicides per 100k
1.12
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability+0.29
Rule of law+1.27
Control of corruption+1.53
Government effectiveness+1.23
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Stable overall (75/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
78
Excellent
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.783
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
4.7
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
81.4 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$5,860
per person / year
Education spending
5.9%
of GDP

Partners and children can join and partners can work. Each person pays the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 a year). State schools are free.

Visa & residence routes

Talent
Global TalentEndorsed leaders in academia, research, tech and the arts. No job offer needed.
Talent
High Potential Individual2 years (3 with a PhD) for graduates of top-100 global universities; capped at 8,000 a year.
Job offer
Skilled Worker visaLicensed sponsor and a degree-level role paying at least £41,700 or the going rate. English at B2 from January 2026.
Investment
Innovator FounderEndorsed, innovative business idea.

Some passports also get: Youth Mobility Scheme; India Young Professionals Scheme.

Who gets easier access to the United Kingdom

The Common Travel Area lets British and Irish citizens live and work in each other's country without permission.

Flag of IrelandIreland

Youth Mobility Scheme (12 nationalities)

Youth Mobility Scheme: 2–3 years of open work for ages 18–30 (18–35 for some countries).

Flag of AndorraAndorraFlag of AustraliaAustraliaFlag of CanadaCanadaFlag of Hong KongHong KongFlag of IcelandIcelandFlag of JapanJapanFlag of MonacoMonacoFlag of New ZealandNew ZealandFlag of San MarinoSan MarinoFlag of South KoreaSouth KoreaFlag of TaiwanTaiwanFlag of UruguayUruguay

India Young Professionals Scheme (1 nationality)

India Young Professionals Scheme: 3,000 places a year by ballot for ages 18–30.

Flag of IndiaIndia

Visiting: 35 passports can visit visa-free, 54 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 109 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
5 yrs
5 years today. An 'earned settlement' model with a 10-year baseline (3–5 years for high earners) is planned for autumn 2026
Citizenship
6 yrs
1 year after settlement
Dual citizenship
Allowed

Last checked 2026-10. Official source: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in the United Kingdom?

About $3,100 a month for one person and $6,600 for a family of four in London, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $1,700 a month and a 3-bedroom around $3,150. Prices are 92% of US levels. The United Kingdom is the 65th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is the United Kingdom safe to live in?

The United Kingdom scores 66/100 for safety (safe), ranking 42nd of 76. The homicide rate is 1.12 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is the United Kingdom politically stable?

The United Kingdom scores 75/100 for stability (stable), ranking 23rd of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is the United Kingdom good for families?

The United Kingdom scores 78/100 for family-friendliness (excellent), ranking 24th of 76. Life expectancy is 81.4 years and under-5 mortality is 4.7 per 1,000 births. Partners and children can join and partners can work. Each person pays the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 a year). State schools are free.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in the United Kingdom?

Usually 5 yrs of legal residence. 5 years today. An 'earned settlement' model with a 10-year baseline (3–5 years for high earners) is planned for autumn 2026.

How long until I can become a citizen of the United Kingdom?

Usually 6 yrs of residence. 1 year after settlement. Dual citizenship: allowed.

Can I move to the United Kingdom without a job offer?

Yes. Global Talent: Endorsed leaders in academia, research, tech and the arts. No job offer needed. High Potential Individual: 2 years (3 with a PhD) for graduates of top-100 global universities; capped at 8,000 a year.

Who can live and work in the United Kingdom without a visa?

The Common Travel Area lets British and Irish citizens live and work in each other's country without permission. (Common Travel Area: Ireland.)

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of the United Kingdom can move