The TL;DR
You can work from abroad, whether you keep your UK job, go freelance or take a job in your new country. Each way needs two things sorted: permission to work in that country, and an arrangement that works for you and whoever pays you.
This guide walks you through the options, how to choose, how to set it up, and what to watch out for, from your employer's sign-off to your kids' schooling and your UK phone number. Each section points to the guide that covers it in depth.
Covered in this article
1. Can you work from abroad? 🌍
Yes, and more Brits do it every year, from a few months in a country such as Spain to a permanent move somewhere like Australia. But a laptop and good Wi-Fi aren't enough on their own.
Before you can work in another country, that country has to give you permission, even if your job and your pay stay in the UK. Arriving as a visitor doesn't count: in most countries, visitors aren't allowed to work, including remotely. Permission comes from a visa or permit that allows work, such as a digital nomad visa, and you need it before you start. Our Visas and Residency starter guide explains the options.
Whoever pays you has to be set up for it too. Your employer may have tax and payroll duties in the country you move to, which is why many say no at first. We checked this guide against GOV.UK and official government sources in October 2026. Rules change, so always check the official source before you act.
2. Your options: four ways to work abroad 🧭
Most people fall into one of four groups, depending on who pays them.
Way to work | What you need to sort | Read next |
|---|---|---|
💼 Keep your UK job | Written approval from your employer, a visa that allows remote work, and an A1 certificate if you'll be in Europe, so you stay in UK National Insurance | |
🚫 Your employer said no | An Employer of Record: a company that employs you in your new country on your employer's behalf, from around €175 a month | |
🧑💻 Freelance or your own business | Clients outside the country you move to, and a nomad visa that accepts self-employed income | |
🏢 A job in your new country | A local employer willing to sponsor your work visa, or a working holiday visa if you're 18 to 35 |
Prices as of October 2026.
3. Which fits you? 🎯
Three questions narrow it down.
How long are you going? A few weeks can often stay on UK payroll with your employer's approval. Six months or more in one place is a different setup: your employer may need to register locally, and that's where an Employer of Record earns its place.
Who's coming with you? Going alone is the simplest: one income to clear and the widest choice of routes. A partner usually raises the income bar, by roughly 10% to 40% depending on the country, and on some visas they aren't allowed to work, so check what they can do before you choose. Children add schooling to the plan, which our guide to working abroad with kids covers.
How will your working day look? If you keep UK hours, Europe is easy; for example, Thailand is six or seven hours ahead and Australia's east coast nine to eleven. You'll also need reliable internet. A video call needs only about 3Mbps each way, but aim for at least 50Mbps download and 10Mbps upload so large uploads and other people on your connection don't hold you back.
What's stopping you from living your dream remote life?
Take the two-minute quiz and we'll show you which route out of the UK fits your situation, what's standing in your way, and the guides to read first.
4. How to set it up 🛠️
Build in time: employer sign-off, visas and HMRC paperwork can each take weeks or months, so start three to six months before you want to go.
Decide how long, and budget for it. A short trial and a long-term move need different setups. Keep the destination's living costs to about 50 to 60% of your budget, and allow £500 to £2,000 for setup costs. Our guide to the five decisions that matter walks through this.
Get your work arrangement in writing. Ask your employer for written approval, with your dates and country. If you work for yourself, check your clients are outside the country you're moving to.
Get the right visa before you start work. Apply for the visa or permit that fits how you'll earn, so you can work legally from day one.
Keep your UK number and get connected. Keep your UK SIM on a cheap plan so your bank, HMRC and work security codes still reach you, and use an eSIM for data. Test the internet within 48 hours of arriving.
Plan for family and cover. Decide on schooling before you pick a base, and put proper health insurance in place for everyone coming with you.
5. The UK-specific catches ⚠️
Most remote-work advice online is written for Americans. These are the things it misses for someone leaving the UK.
An Employer of Record doesn't get you a visa. It sorts out your payroll, not your right to live and work in the country. Some nomad visas also need your employer to be based outside that country, so check before you sign up.
Losing your UK number can lock you out. UK banks, HMRC and many employers send security codes by text. Swap out your UK SIM without moving to an authenticator app first and you may not be able to log in. Our guide to keeping your UK number and getting connected shows how to set this up.
Roaming isn't free any more. The guarantee of free EU roaming ended for UK networks in 2020, and several now charge for it. Outside Europe it can cost £5 to £8 a day. A local SIM or eSIM is usually far cheaper.
Term-time absence fines. Take school-age children out of a school in England during term without permission and you can be fined £80 per parent, rising to £160, for each child. If you're going for longer, sort their schooling before you go.
Working abroad doesn't end your UK tax. If you keep a UK job, home or family, you may still be UK resident for tax. Our Tax and HMRC starter guide explains how HMRC decides.
6. Where to go next ➡️
Start here: Want to Move Abroad? The 5 Decisions That Actually Matter helps you decide how long to go, what you can afford and how you'll work.
Keeping your UK job: Working Abroad for Your UK Boss
Your employer said no: My Employer Won't Let Me Work Abroad. Now What?
Moving with children: Working Abroad With Kids: Six Bases That Actually Work
Getting connected: Your UK Number, Your SIM and Reliable Internet Sorted
The tools we use: Your Moving-Abroad Toolkit
Alongside your move: our Visas and Residency, Tax and HMRC and Country Guides starter guides.
Frequently asked questions ❓
These are the questions UK movers ask again and again, on Mumsnet and British Expats.
Can I work remotely for my UK employer while I'm abroad on holiday?
Usually not. In most countries, visitor entry doesn't give you the right to work, even remotely for a UK company. If you want to work from somewhere, look at a visa that allows it, such as a digital nomad visa.
Do I have to tell my employer?
Yes, and get their approval in writing. Your employer may have tax and payroll duties in the country you move to, and working abroad without permission can put your job at risk.
Can I keep working for my UK company once I live abroad?
Often, if your employer agrees and you have a visa that lets you work there. Your employer may need to register in that country, or use an Employer of Record: a company that employs you there on its behalf, from around €175 a month.
Can I keep my UK phone number?
Yes. Keep your UK SIM on a cheap plan of around £5 to £10 a month, or for a long move, transfer the number to an internet calling service. Move your bank and work logins to an authenticator app first.
Is rural or satellite internet good enough to work from?
It can be: satellite services like Starlink are now used for video calls. Test the speed before you commit, aim for at least 10Mbps upload, and keep mobile data or a coworking space as a backup.
Can I take my children out of school to work abroad?
Under-fives can go any time. For school-age children, term-time absence can mean a fine, so plan longer trips around school holidays or sort their schooling abroad before you go.
Official Resources 📎
Always check current requirements with the official source, as rules change.
Our other starter guides 🧳
Disclaimer
This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or immigration advice. Visa requirements and tax rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.
