What this tool does

Emigrating is one of those projects where the admin sneaks up on you. This builder pulls together the main things you need to sort before, during and after a move abroad, then gives you back a checklist shaped around your own situation rather than a generic list pulled off the internet.

You get reminders for the obvious items like visas and flights, plus the bits that often get forgotten, such as telling HMRC you are leaving, sorting your NHS registration, and working out what happens to your UK pension or ISA once you are no longer resident.

When to use it

It is aimed at anyone planning a permanent or long term move out of the UK, whether that is retiring to Spain, taking a job in Australia, joining family in Canada, or something less common. It works best if you have a rough destination in mind and some idea of when you want to go, even if the dates are still loose.

If you are moving with a partner, children or pets, the checklist will pick up the extra steps those bring, like school enrolment, spouse visas or pet import rules. It is less useful if you are only going abroad for a few months, since short stays do not usually need the same level of preparation.

How it works

You answer a handful of questions about where you are going, who is coming with you, your rough timeline and whether you own property or have UK income to think about. The tool then puts together a plain English checklist grouped into sensible stages, so you can see what to tackle now, what can wait, and what to do once you arrive. You can print it or save it for later. Nothing you enter is stored against your name, and the checklist is a starting point rather than formal advice, so for anything tax, legal or visa related you should still speak to a qualified adviser in the relevant country.