The post Brexit landscape might appear tricky to navigate for UK residents. But, in fact it’s still easy to emigate and start your new life overseas, including in Europe….

Having finally left the European Union in January 2021, moving to Europe has become considerably trickier for UK residents. But don’t fret, there are still options!

Political and economic instability, social divisions and the media saturation can make you long for a better option. Don’t worry though, the worlds a big place and there are many options for British residents to move to. If you’re planning your own escape from the land of Brexit you’ll find plenty of opportunity around the world – in both Europe and further afield.

We’ve taken a look at some of the more popular options as well as some suggestions for those with the easiest process for residency. Most countries will require you to live in the country for a minimum of 5 years to get permanent residency, once you’ve got your long term visa.

However, there are a growing list of countries that offer visas for remote workers, which in the wake of the Covid pandemic has become quite a popular way to work. If you think you might fit the digital nomad/remote worker model, this opens up a whole new passage for you. Read more about digital nomad visas in our in-depth article here. 

This list looks at options for anyone planning on escaping Brexit, young and old. Have you made your own plans to emigrate and avoid Brexit?

What do I need to emigrate from the UK?

Finding a job or work opportunity abroad is not as terrifying as you may have been led to believe. Even if you’re unskilled, there are plenty of opportunities for people who have no higher education or trade, it just might involve a bit of lateral thinking or networking.

When it comes to trades, the options are broad. Most countries need:

• Medical practitioners,
• Plumbers & electricians,
• Chefs,
• Teachers (especially English),
• Engineers and Scientists,
• Law practitioners,
• Care givers,
• Entrepreneurs,
• Financial services experts,
• Drivers….

And a whole lot more!

Non skilled jobs such as drivers, cleaners, customer service operatives, childcare and labourers are normally quite simple to come across, although make sure you get the right visa and stay on side with local laws.

We have an article about working your way around the world which details many great options and ways to get into different industries.

The world is even easier to travel if you’re a remote worker, aka a digital nomad. In Europe, a number of countries are starting to introduce digital nomad visas which makes it a lot easier to relocate after Brexit.

There are also options for retirement visas, for those of you who are of an age. We’ll look at that later in this article…

So if you’re looking to leave the UK, where is best for your Brexit escape?

Europe/EU

Want to keep your European Union status? These countries make the easiest option for permanent residency and most feature a good British expat network.

After Brexit you don’t necessarily have the right to stay long term in most European countries. But there are options, including one which will give you permanent residency (and potential citizenship) if you stay long enough.

Ireland

Touted as the easiest option for many Brits; it’s not far from home, culturally similar and many of us have family ties in some capacity.  People are friendly and many companies are moving to Ireland from the UK. If you work in customer service there are big companies like PayPal who have their Europe HQ in Ireland. Ireland has become one of the strongest economies in Europe and the quality of life is among the best in the world.

You’re also not far from the UK, with many cheap flights, ferry and bus links to home. Dublin, Shannon and Belfast are all well connected to the rest of the world with their international airports.

Lifestyle wise there’s lots of beautiful country side, a similar pub culture to the UK and cities like Dublin, Galway and Limerick are great fun. Emigrating from the UK to the Emerald Isle certainly won’t be a shock to the system.

Be warned though, the health service isn’t as good as the UK and the cost of living is one of the highest in Europe.

How easy is it to move there?

Well, that depends on a few things. If you have a grandparent on either side who was born in the Emerald Isle then you’re eligible for a passport. Easy.

If you’re unskilled it’s still relatively easy to go and find a job. Historically Ireland exports more people than it imports so finding a job isn’t too hard.

You will be elegible for permanent residency and you can apply for Irish citizenship if you live there for around 5 years.

Portugal

An attractive destination for those looking to emigrate after Brexit, Portugal has a lot going for it. Sun, sand, awesome food, stacks of culture and attractive benefits for workers. Portugal is actually offers one of the most affordable and easy visas for those who are financially independent, which means you’re either a freelancer, entrepreneur or someone with savings. Check out our freelancer visa article here.

The cost of living is among the lowest in Western Europe, which does mean that wages are low too. If you’re thinking of turning up and getting a bar job while you work out your options you will probably be just about making ends meet. But, you get quite a lot for your money with the rent, especially away from the bigger cities.

For those looking for jobs, the country has a high unemployment rate, but teachers, real estate developers and people working in tech will find plenty of opportunities.

How easy is it to get in?

This is the friendliest place to move in the European Union post-Brexit. And if you work as a freelancer or remote worker, you’re in luck. Portugal offers a visa which makes it easy for Brits to come and work and eventually regain their European Union status with citizenship and passport, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Look for the D2 and D7 visas and see if you fit the bill. Read more about Portugal freelance visas here.

Italy

Living the Dolce Vita after Brexit is a little harder than it used to be, but is still possible…

With an enviable culture and lifestyle, Italy is a popular option for expats to move and live. The country is also dotted with small towns and villages which have been abandoned by the younger generations, looking to move to the cities.

This has resulted in the infamous opportunities to buy an Italian house for €1. Yes, that is a thing, and yes you can still get them.

As a knock-on of this, and after the pandemic, Italy has also started to roll out digital nomad visas and initiatives aimed at winning remote workers to the country. Again, this is usually in smaller towns and lesser known citites, but it still presents a great opportunity to move to Europe after Brexit.

How easy is it to get in?

Those one euro houses in Italy do offer an opportunity, as buying and redeveloping property in Italy means you can get a visa. Be warned though, a €1 house will need A LOT of work and money to get up to standard. So you can’t just buy a house and become an Italian citizen. Sorry.

There are also freelancer visas available for those looking to move to Italy. Read more about Italian visas here.

France

One of the worlds biggest economies, France is actually one of the easiest places to get citizenship. Although if you’re looking to escape all the Brexit hoo haa, it might not be the best option due to France’s own problems with the far right.

But as a place to live and work, France is one of the best. They have a high standard of living, a great climate, stacks of culture and the job market has improved (although it’s still not as good as the UK). A popular way in for British workers is to do a ski season (seasonaire) or nanny/au pair job and use that as a springboard into more permanent employment.

If you’re prepared to open a business you should find that you’re welcomed, especially in more rural locations. The French have been abandoning the countryside for generations, so there are many smaller towns which have been given a new lease of life by expats (including Brits).

Yes, you’ll need to speak French but don’t let that put you off. It’s a relatively easy language to master for English speakers. Oh and the French aren’t as rude or arrogant as they’re perceived by many Brits.

You can also get French residency by doing your masters degree in a French university and then working there after.

How easy is it to move there?

If you find a job and pay into the tax system, or set up a business, you can get permanent residency within 3 years and be a citizen by 5 or 6 years.

Germany

Another strong European economy, Germany is a great option for those looking to escape Brexit. The jobs market is vibrant, the country is actually ‘strong and stable’ and although it will help to learn German, you can get by with English.

Despite historical differences, German culture is not massively different to the UK. They have a similar pub vibe, the food is not a million miles from British (sausage, pies and meaty stews) and they love football. On that note, watching football is a lot cheaper in Germany.

Germany actually has a good freelancer visa, the Freiberufler visa, which might be useful for some. If you’re looking for employment then there are opportunities for most industries, so just take a look on job sites like Monster, Indeed and TotalJobs.

How easy is it to move there?

Germany is actually one of the easiest for Brits to move, find a job and set up a new life. You can get permanent residency within 2-3 years and citizenship within 5-8 years…

Spain

Always wanted to move to Spain and now lamenting the lost chance? Well, it’s actually not so hard to move there as a non-EU citizen. Spain offer the non-lucrative visa, which is technically for anyone self sufficient such as retirees or those with investments. However, this is a popular visa with freelancers too, so if you’re one of the work from home generation, Spain might still be on your radar.

How easy is it to move there?

Simply apply for the Spanish non-lucrative visa, get yourself some health insurance and head to your choice of Spanish city. The visa is renewable annually, so you can stay indefinitely, although after the first year you’ll need to start paying local tax.

Spain is also planning it’s own digital nomad visa, which as of 2022 has been revealed to not be quite the amazing deal that Portugal is offering.

Be warned though that permanent residence in Spain is five years, and if you want a Spanish passport you’ll be waiting for 10 years. at least.

Best Countries Around The World To Escape Brexit

For those looking to make a break with Europe, there is of course a whole world of choice… These are some of the most popular (and a couple of random options) for British expats around the globe.

New Zealand & Australia

Although they’re a long way from Blighty, both Oz and Kiwi Land aren’t a million miles from the UK culturally. English is of course the main language and there are cultural similarities, although the weather is a lot better.

The mountains, fjords and rolling hills of New Zealand or the miles of beaches or untouched outback of Australia. It’s a tough choice if you’re heading down under. If you’re a city person then both Auckland (NZ) and Melbourne (Australia) are frequently on the lists of best places to live.

How easy is it to move there?

If you’re under 31 you can get a youth mobility visa and go and get a job. You can then work at making yourself invaluable to the country and get yourself a permanent residency.

Australia has a more stringent immigration policy and you can expect to have to do a lot of paperwork if you want to stay. You’ll have to be on the required skills list which does change, but generally you can work something out. Teachers, train drivers, engineers, plumbers and chefs are often on the list.

New Zealand is slightly easier to get in, but you will still need to be on the skills list.

If you have been a resident for 5 years you can get citizenship in New Zealand. Or you can get a permanent resident visa if you have been present for 2 years and are in a stable job with a commitment to the country.

Australian citizenship and permanent residency is based similar criteria but can be more complicated to apply for.

Canada

Canada is also quite familiar to Europeans and is welcoming to new arrivals (unlike it’s southern neighbour). Brits might even be reassured by the presence of the Queen on the banknotes!

One of the most affluent countries on the planet, Canada has some of the best cities for lifestyle such as Vancouver and Toronto. If you like wide open spaces, mountains and endless lakes then Canada might be for you.

It’s also massively multicultural and has one of the strongest economies in the world. Moving to Canada from the UK won’t be a complete shock to the system, except for maybe the cold… It does get VERY cold!

How easy is it to move there?

There is a job skills list which if you’re on can make your new life in Canada very easy. If you’re a tradesman or have a doctorate then you’re pretty much in, but even the unskilled can find a way to get residency in Canada.

You’ll need to be a permanent resident to apply for citizenship for Canada and you’ll need to have lived there for at least 6 years.

Singapore

One of the strongest economies in Asia, Singapore is a powerhouse when it comes to financial services and technology. Although there are massive fines for chewing gum or jaywalking and graffiti carries a harsh punishment, the pluses to that are you live in a clean and generally harmonious society.

Centrally located in Asia you can be in Australia in around 5 hours (Darwin and Perth are both within the 5 hour flight radius), or London in 13 hrs.

There’s fantastic nightlife, amazing food and a good work/life culture balance. Oh and some of the cheapest Michelin starred meals to be had on the planet!

How easy is it to move there?

If you work in technology (IT, computer programming), media (film or TV, graphic design) or finance then you’ll be able to find a job and move with relative ease. Check the Singapore government site for types of work pass.

You can apply for permanent residence after 2 years and citizenship after 6 years.

Similar options: Hong Kong and China.

South America

This article previously featured Brazil, as the looming economic powerhouse in South America. However… There are several countries in South American that can be great for Brits looking to escape Brexit.

Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia are all popular expat locations and they all have a welcoming attitude to new arrivals.

Finding work isn’t impossible, although you’ll need to brush up your Spanish. But, for countries like Argentina, you’ll find a high quality of life and a low cost of living (away from Buenos Aries), as well as opportunities in industries such as technology, oil/gas, tourism and IT.

Those looking to Colombia would be best advised to be freelancers, or working remotely.

How easy is it to move there?

Most countries in Central and South America have generous free visas for European passport holders. Argentina has the rentista visa which is renewable up to three years, but…. You can get citizenship after that! And with an Argentine (MERCOSUR) passport, you’ll be able to travel and work visa free all over South America.

Retirement

If you’ve been planning to escape the UK in your retirement and you’re now wondering what the options are with the British departure from the UK, don’t worry too much.

There are countries around the world that offer retirement visas, including several of the more popular European destinations. Including:

• Spain
• Bulgaria
• France
• Cyprus

The requirements for obtaining a retirement visa in the countries listed above normally include proof of pension or savings and then simply applying for a visa. Contact your local consulate for the countries listed above, or read up on the relevant websites.

---

Are you planning to emigrate to escape Brexit? Or have you made the move already? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Be social and share, thanks!