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🇬🇧 Moving to the UK: Your Essential Getting-Started Checklist

Welcome to the UK! Whether you're here for work, study, or a fresh start, getting settled can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the essentials, from setting up a bank account to finding healthcare and understanding local services.

On this page:

🏥 Register with a Doctor (GP)

The NHS (National Health Service) provides free healthcare to UK residents. Your first step is to register with a GP (General Practitioner), as they will be your first point of contact for medical care.

👉 How to register:
- Find a local GP practice using the NHS GP Finder.
- Check if they are accepting new patients and fill out a registration form.
- You might need proof of address (some GPs accept other documents if you don’t have one).

💡 Tip: If you need urgent care before registering, you can visit a walk-in centre, call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk

For more information visit our Healthcare Services guide.

🛠️ Get a National Insurance Number

If you plan to work in the UK, you need a National Insurance (NI) number for tax and employment purposes.

👉 How to apply:
- Apply online via the UK Government website.
- You may need to provide proof of identity and attend an interview.

💡 Tip: If you have a job when you're a student, you may still need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance.

🏦 Open a UK Bank Account

Having a UK bank account is essential for receiving wages, paying rent, and handling daily expenses.

👉 What you need:
- Proof of identity such as passport or biometric residence permit.
- Proof of address (a tenancy agreement, utility bill, or bank statement).
- Some banks allow app-based verification if you don’t have a UK address yet.

💡 Tip: Check out Money Saving Expert for a decent overview of banks and their account offers.

💰 Finance: Saving Money in the UK

Life in the UK can be expensive, but there are ways to save money on transport, shopping, and daily expenses.

🚆 Discounted Travel

Many people are eligible for railcards which can offer up to 30% off certain journeys. For example, there are railcards for 16-25 year-olds, Seniors, and Disabled Persons.

👉 View and apply for railcards at Railcard.co.uk.

🏦 Savings & Investment Options

Apart from regular bank savings accounts, some of the more popular savings and investment options include:

💡 Tip: Use cashback apps like TopCashback and Quidco to save on online purchases.

💡 Tip: Check out Money Saving Expert for the latest information on the best savings deals.

💰 Insurance Comparisons

When buying car or home insurance, there are a number of large comparison websites that can be used to compare offers from many providers across the market, showing you some of the better deals out there.

👉 Major comparison sites include Compare the Market, Money Saving Expert and Money Supermarket.

🏡 Finding a Place to Live

Whether you're renting or buying, choosing the right accommodation is key to settling in comfortably.

🔍 Where to Look for Rentals

  • OpenRent: Connects tenants directly with landlords, often resulting in lower fees.
  • Rightmove: A leading property website listing a wide range of properties for rent and sale.
  • Zoopla: Offers comprehensive property listings with detailed information and search filters.
  • Gumtree: Features private listings; exercise caution and be vigilant for potential scams.
  • SpareRoom: A platform to find room shares and flatmates.

💡 Tip: Be cautious of rental scams – always view properties in person before making payments!

🏛️ Understanding Local Councils and Services

Each area in the UK is governed by a local council, which provides essential services such as bin collection, street maintenance, and social care.

🗑️ Bin Collection & Recycling

  • Your council collects different bins for general waste, recycling, and garden waste.
  • Find your collection dates on your local council's website.

💡 Other Council Services

  • Council tax – A monthly charge for local services (often included in rent for students).
  • Libraries & Leisure Centres – Many councils offer free or low-cost access to libraries, gyms, and pools.
  • Parking Permits – If you drive, you may need a resident parking permit.

👉 Find your local council via GOV.UK.

🇬🇧 Final Tips for Settling In

✅ Get a UK SIM Card – Giffgaff and Lebara offer competitive pay-as-you-go and SIM-only deals. Other major providers include EE, Vodafone, and Three.
✅ Set Up Wi-Fi – Broadband providers include BT, Virgin Media, Sky, and TalkTalk. Similar to insurance, you can use comparison websites like Compare the Market to find deals from many different providers.
✅ Register to Vote – If eligible, sign up at GOV.UK.
✅ Join a Community – Facebook groups, Meetup, and local events can help you make friends! See our guide on Where to make friends in Leeds if you're in the Leeds area.

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