Below are some of the expenses you need to be aware of when you move to the UK. Your actual expenses will be based on the size of your family and the lifestyle that you choose to lead.
Rent
Rent will vary depending on where you live. In general, the further north you live in England, the cheaper the cost of living. If you live in London, you can expect to pay 50% more than many cities in the north. In fact, in 2020, London was ranked the 19th most expensive city in the world by Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey.
Expect to pay between £550 – £750 per month for a 1 bedroom flat
Council Tax
The cost of council tax will depend on the size of the property you are renting and its location. The council tax contribution is used to pay for local services such as planning, transport, highways, police, fire, libraries, leisure and recreation and rubbish collection and disposal.
Expect to pay between £80 – £100 per month if you live in a 1 bedroom flat
Utility Bills
Water, gas and electricity are not included in your rent. The cost of these expenses will vary depending on the size of your property and the number of occupants.
Expect to pay between £100 – £150 per month if you live in a 1 bedroom flat
Mobile Phone
There are many mobile phone providers in the UK with hundreds of offers available. You will need to find the plan that’s right for you.
Expect to pay between £50 – £60 per month for your mobile phone bill
Television License Fee
In the UK, you will need to pay a yearly license fee to watch television in your home. The cost is per home. If you share your home with others, you can split the cost.
Expect to pay £157.50per year for the annual television license fee
Transport Expenses
Depending on where you live and work in the UK, you may need to rely on public transportation to get to work. It is common for people to buy monthly travel passes instead of using personal cars since the cost is a lot lower and the commute is often faster.
Expect to pay £81.50 per month for a bus and tram pass
Income Tax
Every employee in the UK has a personal allowance limit. This is the amount of money an individual may earn before any income tax is deductible. The threshold limit for tax year 2020/2021 has been set to £12,500. Once you exceed this threshold limit, you will be taxed according to below thresholds:
| Basic rate | £12,501 to £50,000 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,001 to £150,000 | 40% |
National Insurance
National Insurance is a fundamental component of the welfare state in the United Kingdom. It acts as a form of social security, since payment of National Insurance contributions establishes entitlement to certain state benefits for workers and their families. The amount you pay depends on the amount you earn per week and is automatically deducted from your payslip by the NHS.
Pension Contributions
When you start your employment in the NHS, you are automatically enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme. You can choose to “opt-out” of this scheme since it is not compulsory. However, the NHS Pension Scheme provides valuable benefits which are guaranteed by the government and would be expensive to replicate with a private pension.
Healthcare Costs
Healthcare in the UK is generally provided free of cost by the National Health Services (NHS). However, you will need to pay for eye tests and dental care. Prescriptions are free in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales but may have a small fee associated with them in England
Children’s Education
Your children will have access to free primary school and secondary school education. When your child is ready to attend university, there is a fee of £9,250 per year for an undergraduate degree.
For further advice and support on relocating to the UK, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!
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