Europe · Arrival Guide
Just Landed in United Kingdom? Your First 7 Days
Arriving in the UK is light on day-one bureaucracy — there is no address registration — but a few things reward getting sorted early: a bank account, a National Insurance number, and registering with a local GP surgery. Cities are card-first and well connected by public transport, so with a SIM, a contactless card and somewhere to stay you can function within hours and settle the paperwork over your first few weeks.
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Getting your bearings in United Kingdom
Arriving in the United Kingdom as a new immigrant or expat feels less like a bureaucratic gauntlet and more like a series of small, self-directed errands. There is no town-hall queue to register your existence, no single office that stamps you into the system. Instead the first weeks are spent quietly assembling the building blocks of a settled life: a phone number, a bank account, a National Insurance number, a GP surgery and, above all, somewhere to live. What surprises many newcomers is how much of this you are trusted to sort out yourself, and how the whole country runs on proof-of-address letters that you slowly accumulate. The paradox is that you need an address to get a bank account, and often a bank account to get an address, so the first weeks can feel circular until the pieces click into place.
The UK is small in area but sharply varied. London dominates in size, cost and pace, but the country is really a patchwork of distinct places: post-industrial northern cities like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle that have reinvented themselves; Birmingham and the Midlands; the university towns of Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol; and the separate nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each with its own parliament or assembly, legal quirks and, in Scotland and Wales, free NHS prescriptions. Accents shift dramatically over short distances, and someone from Glasgow, Liverpool and Cornwall can sound like they speak three different languages even though everyone is speaking English.
Language itself is rarely a barrier, but the register is. Britons speak in understatement and indirect politeness, so 'not bad' means good, 'quite good' can mean disappointing, and 'we should get a coffee sometime' is often a pleasantry rather than a plan. The pace is efficient rather than frantic: shops and services keep reliable hours, trains mostly run, and things get done, but bureaucracy by post and phone can feel slow after the app-driven speed of the private sector. The two things that genuinely shock newcomers are the housing market, where good rentals in cities disappear within days, and the winter, where daylight can shrink to eight hours and the damp cold sits in your bones. Braced for those two realities, most people settle in faster than they expect.
Your first 48 hours
The essentials to sort out the moment you land in United Kingdom.
- 1
Confirm your immigration status is live and generate a share code
Most newcomers now hold an eVisa rather than a physical card. Log in to your UKVI account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and generate a share code, which landlords, employers and sometimes banks will ask for to verify your Right to Rent and Right to Work. If you still have a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), keep it somewhere very safe. Take a photo of it and store your UKVI login details, as recovering account access from abroad is painful.
- 2
Buy a UK SIM or activate an eSIM
You can pick up a pay-as-you-go SIM at Heathrow, Gatwick or any high-street shop, or activate an eSIM before you even land. Giffgaff, Smarty, Lebara and Voxi require no contract, no credit check and no UK address, which is exactly what you need in week one. A GB phone number unlocks everything else: bank verification, viewing appointments, delivery slots and two-factor logins. Avoid signing a 12- or 24-month contract until you have a settled address.
- 3
Open a digital bank account
Monzo, Starling and Revolut can be opened from your phone in under an hour using just your passport and, often, a foreign address. This gives you a UK sort code and account number immediately, which you need to receive a salary, pay rent and set up Direct Debits. Traditional banks come later once you have proof of address. Order the physical card straight away, as some card machines and deposits still occasionally want a physical card.
- 4
Apply for your National Insurance number
Your National Insurance number (NINo) is the reference that ties you to the tax and benefits system. Apply free at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. You can legally start work before it arrives as long as you can prove your Right to Work, but without it your employer may put you on an emergency tax code and over-tax you. Never pay a third party to 'obtain' a NINo for you; the application is always free and done directly with HMRC.
- 5
Sort out how you will pay for transport
In London, simply tap in and out with any contactless bank card or phone on the Tube, buses, trams and most trains; the system automatically caps your daily and weekly spend, so you never overpay and never need a paper ticket. Outside London, most city buses are contactless too, but you may want the local operator app or a regional smartcard. For intercity trains, download Trainline or the National Rail app and book in advance for far cheaper fares.
- 6
Register with a local GP surgery
The single most important health task is registering with an NHS General Practitioner (GP) surgery near where you live. It is free, and you do not legally need proof of address or immigration status to register, though some surgeries ask anyway. Do this early, because GP lists in cities fill up and you want a doctor already in place before you fall ill. Once registered, download the NHS App to book appointments and order prescriptions.
- 7
Secure somewhere to stay and gather proof of address
If you have not already got a permanent home, book short-term accommodation for two to four weeks while you view rentals, and start collecting proof-of-address documents the moment you sign a tenancy. A tenancy agreement, a council tax letter or a bank statement all count. These letters are the currency that unlocks traditional bank accounts, gym memberships and library cards, so file every official letter you receive.
- 8
Note the key emergency and non-emergency numbers
Dial 999 for genuine emergencies: police, ambulance or fire (112 also works and connects to the same operators). For urgent but non-life-threatening medical problems, call NHS 111, which is free and available 24/7 and can direct you to the right care or an out-of-hours GP. For non-urgent police matters such as reporting a theft, call 101 rather than 999.
Your first week checklist
- Activate a UK SIM or eSIM so you have a working GB phone number for verification and appointments.
- Open a Monzo, Starling or Revolut account to get an instant sort code and account number.
- Apply for your National Insurance number online at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number.
- Register with a local NHS GP surgery and download the NHS App.
- Generate an immigration status share code in your UKVI account for landlords and employers.
- Set up contactless payment or the local transport app so you can move around the city.
- Start viewing rentals on Rightmove, Zoopla, OpenRent or SpareRoom and book viewings quickly.
- Tell your council you have moved in so you can be set up for council tax and avoid arrears surprises.
- Collect and file every proof-of-address letter you receive, as these unlock banks and services.
Getting connected
The UK has strong 4G everywhere in cities and rapidly expanding 5G, though coverage still drops out on rural roads and stretches of railway line. Pay-as-you-go SIMs are cheap, need no contract or credit check, and are the fastest way to get connected on day one. EU-style free roaming largely ended after Brexit, so check whether your home network now charges for use in the UK. Home broadband from Virgin Media, BT, Sky or a budget provider like Community Fibre typically runs GBP 25-40/month.
Typical cost: GBP 8-15/month for a PAYG SIM with 20-100GB of data; unlimited-data SIM-only plans around GBP 15-25/month.
Money & banking
The pound sterling (GBP) is used throughout the UK, though Scotland and Northern Ireland print their own banknotes, which are legal to use everywhere but are occasionally refused by shops in England that do not recognise them. Card and phone payments are accepted almost universally, including on buses, in markets and by many buskers, and the country has gone overwhelmingly cashless. Notes come in GBP 5, 10, 20 and 50, and are now polymer rather than paper.
Opening an account: Digital banks Monzo, Starling and Revolut open in minutes from your phone using just a passport and often a foreign address, giving you an instant sort code and account number. Traditional high-street banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander) usually require UK proof of address such as a tenancy agreement or council tax letter, plus a branch appointment, so most newcomers start digital and add a high-street account later.
Cash: Largely cashless; many people go weeks without touching physical money. Keep a few coins for the occasional independent trader, older car parks, church collection or charity bucket, but contactless is accepted for transactions of any size and Apple Pay and Google Pay are ubiquitous.
Tipping: Tipping is modest and never obligatory. Sit-down restaurants often add a 12.5% discretionary service charge, which you are entitled to ask to have removed if service was poor; otherwise around 10% is generous. There is no tipping expected in pubs (you buy the bar staff a drink at most), in taxis (rounding up is common) or in cafes.
Registration & residency
The UK has no residents' registration office and no mandatory address registration for foreigners, which surprises people arriving from countries with an Anmeldung or equivalent. Instead you register piecemeal and voluntarily: with a GP surgery for healthcare, with your local council so you can be billed for council tax, and on the electoral roll if you are eligible to vote (some Commonwealth and Irish citizens can). There is no single ID card or central population register; your accumulated proof-of-address letters effectively become your local identity for banks, services and credit.
Where: No central office. Contact your local council (find it via gov.uk/find-local-council) to be set up for council tax, and register with a nearby NHS GP surgery for healthcare.
Documents to keep handy:
- Your passport with the entry stamp or vignette, plus your BRP card if you were issued a physical one.
- Access to your UKVI account (login and recovery details) so you can generate immigration status share codes.
- Your visa or Certificate of Sponsorship documents, and proof you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Bank statements or a proof-of-funds letter, useful for renting and for opening a traditional bank account.
- Your degree certificates, references and employment contract, often requested by landlords and letting agents.
- Any driving licence you hold, plus its official translation if it is not in English, for exchanging or driving.
Getting around
Public transport is extensive within and between cities. London's Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR and trams all accept contactless with automatic daily and weekly fare capping, so you rarely need to buy a ticket or top up an Oyster card anymore. Other cities rely on buses, trams (Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh) and local rail. Intercity trains are fast but pricey unless you book in advance; a Railcard (GBP 30/year) gives a third off fares if you qualify. Driving is on the left, and city-centre driving is discouraged by congestion and clean-air charges like London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge.
From the airport: From Heathrow: the Elizabeth line reaches central London in about 35-45 minutes for roughly GBP 12-13, the Piccadilly line Tube is the cheapest at around GBP 6, and the Heathrow Express is fastest at 15 minutes to Paddington for about GBP 25. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express or Thameslink/Southern trains reach central London in 30-45 minutes. From Manchester and Edinburgh airports, direct trains or trams reach the city centre in 15-30 minutes. Uber and Bolt operate at all major airports.
Finding a home
Renting is highly competitive, especially in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Cambridge, where good listings are let within days and viewings can feel like auditions. Most people search on Rightmove, Zoopla, OpenRent and SpareRoom (for rooms in shared houses), renting either through letting agents or direct from landlords. By law, landlords and agents must carry out a Right to Rent check on your immigration status, so have your share code or BRP ready; this is standard practice, not discrimination.
Typical rent: A one-bedroom flat runs roughly GBP 1,600-2,300/month in central London, GBP 1,300-1,800 in outer London, and GBP 800-1,400 in cities like Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow or Cardiff. A room in a shared house is commonly GBP 600-1,100 depending on the city, often bills included.
Deposit norm: The deposit is legally capped at five weeks' rent (six weeks where annual rent exceeds GBP 50,000) and must be protected in a government-approved scheme such as the DPS, MyDeposits or TDS within 30 days. Expect to prove income of around 2.5-3x the rent through payslips or a job offer; if you cannot, agents may ask for a UK guarantor, several months' rent upfront, or a paid guarantor service. Always insist on a proper tenancy agreement and never pay before viewing.
Healthcare
The National Health Service (NHS) provides comprehensive healthcare that is largely free at the point of use. Most visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application, which grants full NHS access for the duration of the visa; Irish citizens and some others are covered differently. Prescriptions cost a flat fee of around GBP 9.90 per item in England but are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. NHS dentistry is heavily oversubscribed, so many people pay privately for dental care.
How to access it: Register with a local GP surgery near your home as soon as you arrive; it is free and you do not legally need proof of address or immigration status, though staff may ask. Your GP is the gateway to specialists, tests and hospital referrals. For urgent but non-emergency issues call NHS 111 (free, 24/7) or use 111 online; for life-threatening emergencies call 999 or go to an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. Pharmacies (chemists) can also advise on minor ailments without an appointment.
Insurance: Because the IHS already covers NHS care, private health insurance is optional rather than essential. Some expats and employers add private cover from Bupa, AXA Health or Vitality to skip NHS waiting lists for non-urgent specialist consultations and elective procedures, and to access private GP appointments faster.
Culture & etiquette
- Queue properly and wait your turn; pushing in front of others is a genuine social offence that will draw quiet fury.
- Say please and thank you constantly, and apologise reflexively, often even when something is not remotely your fault.
- In pubs you order and pay at the bar rather than at your table, and buying rounds for your group is the norm.
- Stand on the right on escalators, especially on the London Underground, leaving the left side clear for people walking.
- Keep small talk light and avoid prying questions about someone's salary, house price or how they voted, at least early on.
- Understatement is the national dialect: read 'not bad' as good and 'interesting' or 'fine' as possibly quite negative.
- Respect personal space and keep your voice down on public transport, where silence between strangers is normal and welcome.
Things to watch out for
- Rental scams: never pay a deposit or 'holding fee' before viewing a property in person and verifying the agent is real.
- The winter dark and damp: daylight can shrink to eight hours from November to January, so vitamin D and a warm coat matter.
- Regional cost shocks: London is far pricier than the rest of the country, so never assume salaries or rents translate across cities.
- Right to Rent and Right to Work checks are routine and legally required; have your share code or BRP ready rather than taking offence.
- Bank holidays and Sundays: many services keep reduced hours, and some smaller shops still close early on Sundays.
Apps to download before you land
Citymapper
Best door-to-door public transport routing in London and other large UK cities, with live disruptions.
Trainline
Book cheaper advance intercity train tickets across the UK and check live departures and platforms.
Monzo
App-based UK bank account you can open on arrival, with an instant sort code, account number and spending tools.
NHS App
Manage your GP registration, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view your medical records.
Uber / Bolt
Ride-hailing available in most large cities, often cheaper and easier to book than a traditional minicab.
Too Good To Go
Buy surplus food cheaply from shops, bakeries and restaurants to cut grocery and eating-out costs.
Deliveroo / Just Eat
Food and grocery delivery covering most of the country, useful in the first weeks before you know local shops.
Where newcomers live
Where you settle depends heavily on which city you land in and your budget. London newcomers cluster in specific inner-boroughs, while Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol offer more space for the money. Below are areas that consistently attract new arrivals for their transport links, international communities and rental supply.
Walthamstow & Leyton (East London)
Popular with young professionals priced out of Zone 2, with fast Victoria line access, a lively market, green spaces and a strong sense of local community.
Shepherd's Bush & Acton (West London)
Diverse, well-connected corners with the Central and Elizabeth lines, big shopping at Westfield, and lots of shared flats and international neighbours.
Northern Quarter & Ancoats (Manchester)
The creative, cafe-and-bar heart of Manchester, full of converted mills, independent shops and a young crowd, and far cheaper than comparable London areas.
Leith (Edinburgh)
A regenerated dockside district with excellent food, a relaxed pace and a tram link to the city centre, popular with expats wanting character without central prices.
Digbeth & Jewellery Quarter (Birmingham)
Birmingham's fast-changing creative districts, with warehouse conversions, canals and strong transport links, offering big-city life at a fraction of London rents.
Clifton & Bedminster (Bristol)
Clifton is elegant and leafy while Bedminster is younger and artsy; both suit newcomers wanting a walkable, sociable city with easy access to the countryside.
What things cost
The UK is expensive, and London is in a league of its own; the same salary stretches dramatically further in Leeds, Glasgow or Cardiff than in the capital. Housing is by far the biggest cost, followed by transport and eating out. The figures below are rough monthly or per-item guides in pounds sterling for a mid-sized city, with London running noticeably higher.
Staying safe & avoiding scams
The UK is generally safe and violent crime against newcomers is rare, but ordinary big-city precautions apply. Phone-snatching from the hand and moped-based bag thefts are a real problem in busy parts of London and other cities, so keep your phone secured and stay alert near stations and nightlife. Pickpocketing occurs in tourist crowds and on packed transport, and after dark it is wise to stick to well-lit, busy streets and use licensed black cabs or app-based rides rather than unbooked minicabs. The bigger everyday risks are financial: aggressive rental scams and impersonation fraud target new arrivals precisely because they do not yet know the norms.
Newcomers are common targets. Know these before you arrive — and read our guide to avoiding immigration scams.
Rental deposit and holding-fee scams
Fake landlords advertise unusually cheap flats on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and SpareRoom, then demand a deposit or 'holding fee' before any viewing, often with a sob story about being abroad. Once you pay, they vanish. Never transfer money before viewing a property in person, confirm the deposit will be protected in a government-approved scheme, and be suspicious of any landlord who refuses a viewing or insists on bank transfer to a personal account.
Bank, HMRC and Home Office impersonation
Scammers phone, text or email pretending to be your bank, HMRC or the Home Office, warning of a tax debt, a 'suspicious transaction', or a visa problem, and pressure you to move money to a 'safe account' or share verification codes. Real banks and HMRC never ask you to transfer funds or read out one-time passcodes. Hang up, wait a few minutes, and call the number printed on your bank card to verify. New arrivals are targeted specifically because visa anxiety makes the threats feel plausible.
Fake job offers and NINo application fees
Applying for a National Insurance number is completely free at gov.uk, and legitimate UK employers never charge you to work. Be very wary of 'agents' who offer to obtain a NINo for a fee, job adverts that ask for upfront payments for training, uniforms or a 'security check', or roles that demand your bank details before any interview. If a job seems too good or the recruiter avoids a proper contract, walk away.
Courier and 'safe account' fraud
A common scam involves a call claiming to be the police or your bank, saying your account is compromised and that a courier will collect your card or cash 'as evidence', or that you must withdraw money and hand it over. No genuine bank or police officer will ever send someone to collect your card, PIN or cash. Refuse, hang up, and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register my address with the government when I arrive?
No. Unlike much of continental Europe, the UK has no compulsory residents' registration and no central population register. You instead register with a GP for healthcare, notify your local council so you can pay council tax, and optionally join the electoral roll if eligible. Your proof-of-address letters gradually become your practical local identity.
How do I get healthcare as a new arrival?
Register with a local NHS GP surgery, which is free and does not legally require proof of address or immigration status. Most visa holders have already paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, which grants full NHS access. Call NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice and 999 for genuine emergencies, and use a pharmacy for minor ailments.
What is a National Insurance number and do I need one immediately?
It is your unique reference for tax and social security. You can legally start work before it arrives as long as you can prove your Right to Work, but apply free at gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number soon, because without it your employer may put you on an emergency tax code and over-tax you. Never pay anyone to obtain one for you.
Can I open a bank account without a UK address?
Yes. Digital banks Monzo, Starling and Revolut can be opened from your phone with just a passport and often a foreign address, giving you a usable account with a sort code within an hour. Traditional high-street banks such as Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds usually require UK proof of address and a branch appointment, so most newcomers start with a digital bank.
How do I use public transport in London on my first day?
Just tap in and out with any contactless bank card or your phone; there is no need to buy an Oyster card or a paper ticket. The system automatically caps your daily and weekly spending so you never overpay, and it works across the Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR and trams. Outside London, most buses are contactless too.
Why is renting so difficult and what will landlords ask for?
Demand far outstrips supply in cities, so good flats are let within days and you often compete with several applicants. Landlords must run a Right to Rent immigration check, and typically ask for proof of income around 2.5-3x the rent, references, and a five-week deposit protected in an approved scheme. If your income or credit history is thin, you may need a UK guarantor or to pay several months upfront.
Do I need to pay for prescriptions and dental care?
Prescriptions cost a flat fee of about GBP 9.90 per item in England but are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. GP appointments are free everywhere. NHS dentistry is heavily oversubscribed and hard to access, so many people end up paying for private dental care, which is worth budgeting for.
What are the emergency numbers and when should I use each?
Dial 999 (or 112, which works too) for genuine emergencies needing police, ambulance or fire. Use NHS 111 for urgent but non-life-threatening medical concerns, available free 24/7 by phone or online. Call 101 for non-urgent police matters like reporting a theft, and report fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
How bad is the UK winter really?
The cold is rarely extreme, but the winter is dark, damp and long, with daylight in December shrinking to around eight hours and grey skies for weeks. Many newcomers underestimate the psychological effect, so invest in a warm waterproof coat, consider a vitamin D supplement, and make plans that get you outside during daylight hours. It genuinely improves how you feel.
Can I drive on my foreign licence?
Most visitors and new residents can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months after becoming resident. Depending on where your licence was issued, you may then be able to exchange it for a UK one or may need to pass UK theory and practical tests. Check gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence for the rules that apply to your specific country.
Planning the move, not just the landing?
This guide covers your first days on the ground. If you’re still weighing visas and pathways to United Kingdom, start with a free eligibility assessment.
