It is common for British citizens to dream of getting away from the bad weather and wonder:
Where can I live with a British passport? The answer to that question has changed since the UK
left the European Union in January 2020, which meant British people could no longer live and
work in the EU visa-free.
Read this blog to discover the countries and territories that you can live in without a visa. Then
discover how Immigration Advice Service can help you, depending on whether the nation you
want to move to requires a visa.
Which Nations and Territories Can I Live in with a UK
Passport?
There are four nations and territories that you are permitted to live in without needing a visa,
although some of them require a permit to work and reside. These are as follows:
● The Common Travel Area and the British Isles, including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of
Man, and Ireland.
● Gibraltar.
● Paraguay.
● Belize (de facto).
Outside of these countries, most British people will require a visa if they want to live and work.
Some of these other countries also require a visa for short-term travel, such as for tourism.
The following sections break down the rights that you have in each of these nations and
territories:
Moving to Ireland
Due to the extremely close historical and present ties between the UK and Ireland, individuals
with a British passport have excellent rights to travel to, live in, study, and work in Ireland. Since
1922, bilateral agreements have meant that British passport holders can:
● Conduct visa-free travel to Ireland and back to the UK.
● Work and live in the country without a work or residency permit.
● Access public healthcare.
● Vote in general elections.
Please note that this does not automatically extend to family members that you want to bring
with you to Ireland. If your family member is not a British, EEA, or Swiss citizen, they may need
to arrange a visa and apply for residency.
If your family member lived in Ireland before 31 December 2020, they may not need to get a
visa. So long as you are a British national living in or moving to Ireland, and they have been in
the country legally, they will retain their residency rights. However, they will need to exchange
their valid Irish Resident Permit (IRP) Card for a new card. The new IRP card confirms that their
residency rights stem from the terms of EU Free Movement under the Withdrawal Agreement,
by which the UK left the European Union.
Belize
Belize is not technically a visa-free country for British citizens, but the visa rules are so easy and
flexible that it can be considered to have this status de facto. British citizens can get a 30-day
temporary visa. This visa can be easily extended every 30 days for just £10, working out at 33p
per day you are in the country.
A significant benefit that British nationals also enjoy in Belize is the ease of purchasing property.
You can enjoy the same property rights as someone from Belize. Once you have lived in the
country for five years, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Paraguay
British passport holders can also enter Paraguay for 30 days. Once in the country, you will be
able to buy property simply by presenting a valid passport.
You will be allowed to enter Paraguay visa-free. However, to live and work in the country, you
will usually need a permit. British passport holders can apply for a permanent resident permit by
paying a deposit of £2,698. The country is also generous to those wishing to become
naturalised citizens. You will only need to visit the country once every three years.
Gibraltar and the Common Travel Area
British people can get all the joys of the sun in the south of the Iberian Peninsula while still being
able to enjoy British culture by moving to Gibraltar. This small British territory is at the southern
tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar has been a British overseas territory since 1713, following
a peace treaty after the War of the Spanish Succession. To join the 39,329 people currently
living in Gibraltar, you will simply need a British passport.
The same conditions apply if you'd like to move to a territory in the Common Travel Area closer
to the British Isles. This includes the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Please note that
these territories have partially autonomous government systems, and often have different tax
rules to the rest of the UK.
How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?
Before you decide to move away from the British mainland, you should look carefully to ensure
that you and your family are able to move without acquiring a visa. If permits are required, it's
best to understand this before you travel so that you don't get any nasty surprises.
It is a great idea to seek advice from an immigration lawyer before you move. At Immigration
Advice Service, we can connect you to a lawyer who has dealt with countless cases like yours,
and can give you fantastic advice on whether visa-free travel, residency, working, and studying
are possible. If any family members coming with you do need a visa, our team can guide you
towards the correct visa and through the full application process. Our support continues after
you move to your new country, including helping you to obtain citizenship if you decide that is
right for you.
Call us today to be connected immediately with an expert immigration lawyer or adviser. You
can also call us to learn more about the range of services we offer to facilitate your visa-free
travel using a British passport, and to help you and your family member get the right visa if
required.
