Top 15 Popular Destinations for UK Expats in 2026
- reloux®-GB
- Dec 26, 2025
- 8 min read
Where People from the UK Are Moving to Live, Work & Build a Better Life
Why More People from the UK Are Moving Abroad in 2026
The number of people moving abroad from the UK continues to rise as we head into 2026. Driven by lifestyle aspirations, career opportunities, climate, cost of living, and post-Brexit mobility choices, UK nationals are increasingly choosing to live and work overseas.
According to destination-side migration data, diaspora statistics, and relocation demand trends, certain countries consistently stand out as popular destinations for UK expats. These are the places where British nationals are not only moving — but settling, working, buying property, raising families, and building long-term lives.
This guide explores the top 15 most popular destinations for UK expats in 2026, including:
Why people are moving there
The most popular cities
Who it suits (professionals, families, retirees)
How Reloux® International Moving Company supports each move
If you’re planning on moving abroad from the UK in 2026, this guide will help you choose the right destination — and the right international removal partner.
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1. Australia – The #1 Destination for UK Expats
Australia remains the most popular destination for UK expats and continues to top the list for those moving abroad from the UK in 2026.
Why UK Expats Choose Removals to Australia
Strong job market (construction, healthcare, engineering, IT)
High salaries and outdoor lifestyle
Clear skilled-migration visa pathways
English language and cultural familiarity
Popular Cities for UK Expats
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Adelaide
Australia consistently ranks among the best countries to move to from the UK, especially for professionals and young families.
How Reloux Helps
Reloux provides door-to-door international removals from the UK to Australia, including:
Full container (FCL) and shared container services
Export packing to Australian AQIS standards
Customs clearance and quarantine compliance
Destination delivery and unpacking
2. United States – Career-Driven Moves from the UK
The USA is a top choice for UK expats moving abroad for work, entrepreneurship, and family relocation.
Why People Move to the Removals to USA
High-level career opportunities
Global corporate headquarters
University placements and academic roles
Popular Cities
Removals to New York
Removals to Los Angeles
Removals to San Francisco
Removals to Miami
Removals to Austin
Despite visa complexity, the US remains one of the best countries to move to from the UK for career progression.
Reloux Advantage
Reloux handles:
Household goods shipping to the USA
US customs documentation
ISF filing and destination agent coordination
3. Canada – Quality of Life & Stability
Removals to Canada continues to attract those moving abroad from the UK for lifestyle, safety, and family life.
Why Canada Is Popular
Excellent healthcare and education
Points-based immigration system
Welcoming to UK professionals
Popular Cities
Removals to Toronto
Removals to Vancouver
Removals to Calgary
Removals to Montreal
Removals to Ottawa
Canada consistently ranks high among popular destinations for UK expats seeking long-term settlement.
4. Spain – Lifestyle, Climate & Retirement
Removals to Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for UK expats, particularly retirees and remote workers.
Popular Cities
Removals to Madrid
Removals to Barcelona
Removals to Valencia
Removals to Málaga
Removals to Alicante
Lower cost of living and Mediterranean lifestyle make Spain a standout for those moving abroad from the UK.
Reloux specialises in UK to Spain removals, including groupage and full loads.
5. Ireland – Simple, Familiar & In-Demand
Ireland is one of the easiest international moves from the UK, making it a top choice for professionals.
Popular Cities
Removals to Dublin
Removals to Cork
Removals to Galway
Removals to Limerick
No language barrier, strong tech sector, and proximity make Ireland one of the best countries to move to from the UK.
6. France – Culture, Work & Family Life
Removals to France continues to attract UK expats moving abroad for lifestyle and employment.
Popular Cities
Removals to Paris
Removals to Lyon
Removals to Bordeaux
Removals to Toulouse
Removals to Nice
Reloux provides door-to-door international removals from the UK to France, including customs paperwork support.
7. Germany – Europe’s Economic Powerhouse
Removals to Germany is increasingly popular among UK expats moving abroad for engineering, automotive, and tech roles.
Popular Cities
Removals to Berlin
Removals to Munich
Removals to Frankfurt
Removals to Hamburg
Germany remains one of the best countries to move to from the UK for skilled professionals.
8. Portugal – Affordable, Sunny & Expat-Friendly
Removals to Portugal is now firmly among the popular destinations for UK expats.
Popular Cities
Removals to Lisbon
Removals to Porto
Removals to Faro
Removals to Cascais
Portugal attracts digital nomads, retirees, and families moving abroad from the UK.
9. Italy – Lifestyle & Long-Term Living
Italy continues to grow in popularity for UK nationals relocating permanently.
Popular Cities
Removals to Milan
Removals to Rome
Removals to Florence
Removals to Turin
Reloux supports complex Italian customs requirements and residency-based imports.
10. Netherlands – Business & International Living
A strong destination for professionals moving abroad from the UK.
Popular Cities for Removals to Netherlands
Amsterdam
Rotterdam
The Hague
Utrecht
11. United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Tax-Efficient Careers
Dubai and Abu Dhabi attract high-earning UK professionals.
Popular Cities for Removals to UAE
Removals to Dubai
Removals to Abu Dhabi
Reloux offers air freight and sea freight removals to the UAE.
12. New Zealand – Balanced Lifestyle
Still one of the best countries to move to from the UK for work-life balance.
Popular Cities for Removals to New Zealand
Auckland
Wellington
Christchurch
13. Switzerland – High Salaries & Stability
A premium destination for UK professionals.
Popular Cities
Removals to Zurich
Removals to Geneva
Removals to Basel
14. Malta – English-Speaking EU Living
Small but significant UK expat presence.
Popular Cities
Valletta
Sliema
St Julian’s
15. Poland – Emerging Destination for UK Movers
Growing interest from UK families and entrepreneurs.
Popular Cities for Removals to Poland
Removals to Warsaw
Removals to Kraków
Removals to Wrocław
Why Choosing the Right International Removal Company Matters
When moving abroad from the UK, choosing an experienced international mover is critical. Every destination has:
Different customs rules
Documentation requirements
Packing standards
Reloux® International Moving Company provides:
End-to-end international removals from the UK
Sea freight, air freight, groupage & FCL
Customs paperwork handled for you
Dedicated move coordinators
Why Reloux® Is Trusted by UK Expats Worldwide
✔ Over a decade of international relocation expertise
✔ Door-to-door service to 180+ destinations
✔ UK-based operations & global partners
✔ Transparent pricing & tailored solutions
Whether you are moving abroad from the UK for work, lifestyle, or family, Reloux ensures your move is smooth, compliant, and stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions – Moving Abroad from the UK in 2026
1. What are the most popular destinations for UK expats in 2026?
The most popular destinations for UK expats in 2026 include Australia, the USA, Canada, Spain, Ireland, France, Germany, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, the UAE, New Zealand, Switzerland, Malta and Poland. These countries consistently attract people moving abroad from the UK for work, lifestyle, climate, and long-term quality of life.
2. Why are more people moving abroad from the UK?
More people are moving abroad from the UK due to lifestyle changes, better work opportunities, improved work-life balance, climate, cost of living advantages, and international career progression. Post-Brexit mobility planning has also encouraged UK expats to explore structured relocation options with professional support.
3. Which countries are best to move to from the UK for work?
Some of the best countries to move to from the UK for work include Australia, Canada, Germany, the USA, the UAE and the Netherlands. These countries offer strong job markets, skilled-worker visa routes and international employment opportunities for UK professionals.
4. What destinations are best for UK families moving abroad?
For families moving abroad from the UK, popular destinations include Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Ireland and New Zealand. These countries offer good healthcare systems, education options and family-friendly living environments.
5. Which destinations are best for UK retirees?
Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Malta remain some of the most popular destinations for UK retirees. Climate, lifestyle, healthcare access and cost of living are key reasons people choose these countries when moving abroad from the UK later in life.
6. How do I choose the right country to move to from the UK?
Choosing the right country depends on your visa eligibility, employment plans, lifestyle goals, family needs and budget. Reloux works closely with clients to understand their destination requirements and ensures their international removals from the UK are planned around local regulations and customs rules.
7. Do I need a visa to move abroad from the UK?
In most cases, yes. Visa requirements vary by country and purpose of move (work, retirement, family, study). While Reloux does not issue visas, we regularly support UK expats moving abroad by coordinating moves in line with visa timelines and residency approvals.
8. How far in advance should I plan my international move?
Ideally, you should plan international removals from the UK at least 8–12 weeks in advance. This allows time for surveys, packing schedules, shipping bookings, customs documentation and destination coordination, especially for popular expat destinations.
9. What shipping options are available when moving abroad?
Reloux offers multiple shipping options including full container load (FCL), shared container (groupage), air freight and combined solutions. The best option depends on volume, destination, timeframe and budget.
10. Can Reloux help with door-to-door international removals?
Yes. Reloux specialises in door-to-door international removals from the UK. This includes export packing, collection, shipping, customs clearance, destination delivery and unpacking, ensuring a smooth relocation experience.
11. How is the volume of my move calculated?
Volume is calculated during a free video survey or in-home survey conducted by Reloux. Accurate volume assessment is essential to selecting the correct shipping option and avoiding delays or unexpected costs when moving abroad from the UK.
12. What items can I ship when moving abroad?
Most household and personal effects can be shipped, including furniture, appliances, clothing and personal belongings. Some destinations restrict items such as alcohol, food, plants or new goods. Reloux provides destination-specific guidance before shipping.
13. Will Reloux help with customs paperwork?
Yes. One of Reloux’s key strengths is managing customs documentation for international removals from the UK. This includes inventories, declarations and coordination with destination agents to ensure compliance with local customs regulations.
14. Is insurance available for international moves?
Reloux offers comprehensive marine transit insurance options for international moves. Insurance is strongly recommended to protect your household goods during overseas transport and storage.
15. Can I store my belongings before moving abroad?
Yes. Reloux provides secure short-term and long-term storage solutions in the UK before shipping. Storage is often used when visa dates, property handovers or job start dates do not align perfectly.
16. What are shared container (groupage) removals?
Shared container removals allow multiple customers’ goods to be shipped together in one container. This is a cost-effective option for smaller moves to popular destinations for UK expats, such as Spain, France and Portugal.
17. How long does international shipping take?
Transit times vary by destination and shipping method. Sea freight typically takes between 4–12 weeks, while air freight is significantly faster. Reloux provides clear timelines based on your destination and service level.
18. Can Reloux handle moves to multiple countries?
Yes. Reloux handles international removals from the UK to over 180 destinations worldwide, including Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
19. Why should I use an international moving company instead of doing it myself?
International relocations involve complex logistics, customs rules and documentation. Using an experienced international moving company like Reloux reduces risk, prevents delays and ensures your move abroad from the UK is professionally managed from start to finish.
20. How do I get a quote for moving abroad with Reloux?
You can request a free, no-obligation quote by booking a video survey or contacting Reloux directly. A dedicated move coordinator will guide you through every step of your international relocation.
Planning to Move Abroad in 2026?
If you’re considering one of the popular destinations for UK expats, Reloux®
International Moving Company is ready to help.
📞 Request a free video survey
🌍 Move with confidence in 2026