Brits abroad: Know before you go

BEFORE LEAVING

Properly research your destination. Find out about the local laws and customs.

Find out what the Foreign Office can and can't do if things go wrong.

Learn some of the local language. While many expats may live in British enclaves, contact with local people - and the authorities - is crucial.

Work out retirement income. Many expats fail to take into account both inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. The Department for Work and Pensions produces state pension forecasts.

Research how liabilities for UK taxes apply to expats.

Buy a property abroad as you would in the UK: Carefully and with professional legal advice.

ON ARRIVAL

Register with the local authorities. This opens doors to local welfare and health services. Find out about local welfare entitlements. Find out about health service charges.

British residents of EU or EEA states must apply for a residence permit within three months.

Register with the British Consulate.

Make a will. One of the biggest legal problems for a family comes when a relative dies abroad.

Open a non-resident foreign bank account.

Keep a valid passport.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Foreign Office
UK government: Advice for Britons living abroad
IPPR
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