Escape from Keir’s Britain with the experts’ definitive emigration guide: The best places for sunshine, big houses, high wages, no crime and top-notch healthcare – plus the hotspot with NO income tax

As Keir Starmer’s reign begins, many are questioning what exactly comes next. For the first time since the 1970s, a self-proclaimed socialist is in charge. And you don’t need to be a member of the super-rich to be worried.

But don’t despair – there are plenty of places where life is considerably rosier, once you’ve cleared the pesky red tape to get residency, as millions of Britons have already discovered.

Here, we present the ultimate emigration guide on how to escape the KSSR (Keir Starmer Socialist Republic).

Spain

More than 293,000 Britons live permanently in Spain, the most in any European country. The lure of 300 days’ sunshine a year, clean beaches, cheaper prices and a tapas lifestyle persists.

Housing: Considerably lower prices than the UK average house price of £282,000 – a three-bedroom detached house with a pool in El Algar in Murcia is £122,800 (rightmove.co.uk). Mortgage rates are currently between 3 per cent and 3.5 per cent (compared to UK’s 5.42 per cent).

Weather: 22-24C on average between June and September with 31C average highs in July and August, and lows of 12-13C from December to February.

Taxes: Income tax is 9.5 per cent up to £10,550, rising to 24.5 per cent over £254,000; capital gains tax is 20-25 per cent.

Crime: Ranked 22nd out of 43 European countries by the Europe Crime Index. The country has low rates of mugging and theft.

Education: Free state education, with free pre-school for ages 3-6, and childcare costs of around £255 a month for 0-3 years. Private schools charge from £255 per year, but can rise to £25,400 for boarders.

Health care: Free, similar to the NHS.

Cost of living: 23 per cent lower than in the UK, according to cost of living database numbeo.com. Utilities are 40 per cent cheaper than UK. Beer in a bar is £2.54 (500ml), a glass of wine is £2.46 (175ml), a three-course evening meal for two with house wine is £51.39 (Post Office Holiday Money Report).

Immigration: 18 per cent of the 47.47 million population are immigrants, according to worldpopulationreview.com. There were 727,005 in 2022, the highest level for a decade. These include wealthy pensioners from Northern Europe. 

Who’s in charge? Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Socialist Workers Party.

Portugal

With its warm climate, welcoming locals and beautiful beaches, Portugal has long drawn working-age expats. More than 45,000 UK citizens live in Portugal.

Housing: The average house price is £126,867.

Weather: More than 300 days of sunshine each year. The average temperature dips to 17C in January and rises to 33C in the summer.

Taxes: Income taxed between 13.25 per cent and 45 per cent on salaries between £6,517 and £69,382. 48 per cent on salaries over £69,382. Investment income (interest, dividends, rental income, capital gains) is taxed at a flat rate of 28 per cent. 

Crime: Very low. Rated 7th in the 2024 Global Peace Index.

Education: State schools (taught in Portuguese) are free for citizens and foreigners. English speaking international schools start from around £4,250 a year. Free childcare for children 0 to 2 years old rising to age 3 in the future.

Health care: State healthcare gives children under 18 and people over 65 free care, while others may be asked to pay small fees.

Cost of living: 37.5 per cent lower than the UK, according to Numbeo.com. A two-course meal with wine from just £8.50 – £10. Average cost of a glass of wine is £1.76 (Post Office Holiday Money).

Immigration: Portugal’s population stands at 10.22 million and its number of foreign retirees has more than doubled in the past decade, with Britons accounting for a sizeable chunk of its expats.

Who’s in charge? President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Social Democratic Party.

Italy

Hugely popular as a holiday destination, yet only 65,000 Britons live in Italy. Culture vultures are drawn to classic cities such as Venice, Rome and Florence, while others are attracted by the rural splendor of converted farmhouses in Tuscany, Abruzzo and Puglia.

Housing: Cheaper than the UK, a three-bedroom house in Poggio, San Remo in Liguria with sea views is £322,681 (rightmove.co.uk).

Weather: Varies by region – summers in Venice are 20-23C on average; Palermo on Sicily range between 23-27C.

Taxes: Income tax is progressive, ranging from 23 per cent to 43 per cent. Italy encourages foreign workers to emigrate there and contribute to its economy, offering some enticing tax schemes (expatica.com).

Crime: Italy ranks 6th in the Europe Crime Index 2024 – one lower than the UK. Pick-pocketing, theft from cars, and purse snatching are serious problems, especially in large cities, according to countryreports.org.

Education: State education is free; there are a small number of private schools that charge between £5,081 and £16,939 per year.

Health care: The free health care system is called the Servizio Sanitario Nationale. You must register if you’re going to be living in Italy for longer than three months.

Cost of living: 9.2 per cent lower than in the UK, with rent on average 38.5 per cent lower and monthly utility bills from £170 (numbeo.com). A glass of wine (175ml) at a bar in Rome is £5.27, a bottle of beer (330ml) is £4.83 and a three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine from £70.63 (Post Office Holiday Money Report).

Immigration: 5.1 million immigrants out of the country’s total population of 58.69 million.

Who’s in charge? Prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Brothers of Italy party, a right-wing populist party.

France

Official figures today have 176,000 Britons living in France. Peter Mayle’s best-selling 1989 book A Year In Provence set the trend for escaping across the Channel.

Housing: Falling property sales last year – 21 per cent down November 2022 to November 2023 – have led to a buyers’ market. A three-bedroom house with two acres in a hamlet in rolling countryside near Aubeterre sur Dronne in south west Charente is £278,400 (towncountrypropertyfrance.com). Mortgage interest rates are currently about 3.8 per cent.

Weather: Varies by region. In the south of France there’s a 19-22C average from June to September with highs of 27C in August and lows of 3-13C in winter. In Brittany, average daily highs in July and August are 20C.

Taxes: 11 per cent on income between £9,127 and £23,275, rising to 45 per cent on incomes above £143,132.

Crime: Violent crime offences rose by 31,000 to 384,100 last year, and France ranks number one in Europe Crime Index by Country 2024 (numbeo.com). Pick-pocketing, residential break-ins, bicycle theft and muggings are on the rise.

Education: State education is of a very high standard. Expect annual fees of around £5,081 for international schools.

Health care: Health insurance cover is required as state health care is not free.

Cost of living: 3.1 per cent higher than in the UK, according to Numbeo.com. A glass of wine (175ml) is £5.27 in Nice, and a three-course meal with wine for two is £84.42 (Post Office Holiday Money Report).

Immigration: Seven million immigrants out of a total population of 64.88 million, according to worldpopulationreview.com and the National Institute of Statistics. Expats wishing to stay in France for longer than 90 days must apply for a long-stay visa or a residency permit.

Who’s in charge? President Emmanuel Macron, Renaissance Party.

Sweden

Scandi living has influenced the way we decorate our homes – and it’s also been a lure for British expats, with 30,265 having made the move, according to statista.com. High quality education and public services come as standard.

Housing: The average house price is £269,000. There are no legal restrictions on buying property as a foreigner. A five-bedroom detached villa on the edge of Stockholm is £744,600 (properstar.co.uk). Rents are 32.8 per cent lower than in the UK.

Weather: Daily highs are above 20C from June to August. From December to February temperatures are minus 1-3C.

Taxes: Income tax varies depending on the local authority, ranging from 29-35 per cent. Earners above a certain income pay an additional 20 per cent.

Crime: Sweden is 4th in the Europe Crime Index. Gang violence, shootings and drug-related crimes are on the rise.

Education: State education is free. Fee-paying international schools are widely available in Stockholm. Fees from £9,000 to £12,700 per year.

Health care: All expats living in Sweden as permanent residents are eligible for high-quality public healthcare.

Cost of living: 4.2 per cent lower than in the UK. A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant for two is £59.78 (numbeo.com). Utilities bills for a month for a two-bed apartment are £85 on average.

Immigration: Twenty per cent of the 10.67 million population was born abroad.

Who’s in charge? Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party.

Cyprus

This Mediterranean island offers a beautiful climate, bountiful beaches, friendly locals and a rich culture.

Housing: House prices are low, with the average price per square metre at £1,422 (compared to the UK’s £2,954). Rent in Cyprus is, on average, 19.4 per cent lower than in the UK, according to Numbeo.com. The most affordable area for properties is the Paphos region in the south west. A comfortable two-bed air-conditioned apartment in Paphos is from £324,305 (rightmove.co.uk).

Weather: The climate is considered one of the healthiest in the world, with between 300 to 340 sunny days per year.

Taxes: Provides various tax benefits to its residents. For example, the standard corporate income tax is 12,5 per cent, the lowest in Europe. Income tax is charged at a rate of 25 per cent for those earning between £23,704– £30,731, 30 per cent between £30,728-£50,789 and 35 per cent on salaries over £50,793.

Crime: Despite the tensions between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, Cyprus is still considered very safe.

Education: Expats tend to send their children to private or international schools, where English is the primary language (costing between £5,926 and £8,465 per year). Expats can enroll their children in Greek-speaking free state schools which are generally good. Private nursery for one child costs £354 per month, according to Numbeo.com

Health care: State health care, ranked 24th globally by the WHO, is not entirely free but is partially funded by patients’ contributions, known as co-payments.

Cost of living: On average, 11.8 per cent lower than in UK. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around £50.79. Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water and rubbish collection) costs £153 per month, according to numbeo.com.

Immigration: About 20 per cent of the 1.26 million population are immigrants.

Who’s in charge? Nikos Christodoulides, an independent centrist, is the President of Cyprus.

Australia

With its delightful weather, laid back lifestyle, high wages and brilliant career opportunities, it’s no wonder around 20,000 UK citizens move to Australia each year. Most head for Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Housing: Very tricky for expats to buy a property without permanent residency and the average house price is high at £490,314. Rent is 7.5 per cent higher than the UK, according to numbeo.com.

Weather: Glorious. Even in the winter, temperatures can reach 30C.

Taxes: The country boasts a high minimum wage and good salaries but tax is high. The average Australian wage earner pays 24.9 per cent in income tax.

Crime: Levels are similar to the UK.

Education: State-funded schools are free for Australian citizens and permanent residents. If you’re on a temporary resident’s visa, you may need to pay school fees between £5,800 and £10,500 per year. Private nurseries cost around £1,260 per month.

Health care: Medicare is an insurance scheme that provides Australian citizens and some overseas visitors (such as people on permanent resident visas) with health care. Expats who are not entitled to Medicare will need to cover their own medical bills and costs. Insurance averages £4,918 per year.

Cost of living: On average, 12.7 per cent higher than the UK. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs £31.50. A bottle of supermarket mid-range wine costs £10.50 and bottle of beer £4.41 according to numbeo.com.

Immigration: Australia has one of the highest percentages of foreign-born residents in the world, with immigrants accounting for 30 per cent of the 26.70 million population.

Who’s in charge? Anthony Albanese, of the Australian Labor Party, is Prime Minister.

New Zealand

The beautiful landscapes, temperate weather and extremely low crime rate drawn around 260,000 British expats. Most choose to live in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Housing: Rent in New Zealand is, on average, 16.7 per cent lower than the UK, according to numbeo.com. The average house price is £372,884. A charming four-bed detached house with a sea view in Ōmokoroa on the North Island is £884,082 (properstar.co.uk).

Weather: Temperate but varied. While the North Island has subtropical weather during summer, with temperatures reaching 30C or more, inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C in winter.

Taxes: The top personal tax rate is 39 per cent for income over £86,000. The lowest personal tax rate is 10.5 per cent for income up to £6,700.

Crime: Ranked fourth safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index last year.

Education: State-funded schools are of a high standard. International and private schools cost between £7,650 and £23,907 per year. Full-time private nurseries cost on average £123 per month.

Health care: Standards are high. Health care is free or heavily subsidised if you hold a work visa valid for two years or more.

Cost of living: On average, 3.6 per cent higher than the UK. Basic house bills (electricity, heating, cooling, water, rubbish collection) costs £108.90. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs £57.38, while a supermarket mid-range bottle of wine costs £7.65 and bottle of beer £2.95, according to numbeo.com.

Immigration: More than 27 per cent of New Zealand’s 5.12million population were born overseas.

Who’s in charge? Christopher Luxon, of the centre-right National Party, is Prime Minister.

Texas

The Lone Star State’s booming oil industry and growing tech sector – Austin is home to ‘Silicon Hills’ and Dallas to ‘Silicon Prairie’ – contribute to a statewide economy bigger than Italy’s. At last count, there were 150,809 British expats in Texas.

Housing: The median price in Texas was £268,352, according to Redfin. But prices vary greatly depending on area. A stylish four-bed apartment with use of a pool in Austin is £360,235 (zoopla.co.uk).

Weather: Scorching in summer with temperatures regularly above 30C from May to September. In winter temperatures can drop to 6C in Austin, 4C in Dallas and 2C in El Paso.

Taxes: No state income tax and no cities impose a local income tax.

Crime: The violent crime rate is high, standing at 431.9 per 100,000 people based on FBI figures (the 12th most dangerous state).

Education: Every child has the right to a free education. Private schools, such as St John’s School in Houston with fees from £23,228, are widely available. Childcare costs are from around £560 to £985 a month.

Health care: You’ll need health insurance, which is about £318 a month in your 20s up to £860 plus for over 60s.

Cost of living: This comes to £35,352 a year including healthcare, subsistence, petrol, energy bills and ‘other personal expenditure’, according to sofi.com. A beer at a bar/restaurant is £4.71, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant £57.26 (numbeo.com).

Immigration: About 17 per cent of the 30.5 million population is foreign born.

Who’s in charge? Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, Republican Party.

Florida

Estimates vary as to the number of British expats in the Sunshine State, with as many as 400,000 with either permanent or temporary homes. The year-round warm weather is the big draw, along with beaches and buzzing cities such as Miami and Tampa.

Housing: The average price for a home in Florida rose 3.2 per cent last year to £313,460. A four-bedroom townhouse in Davenport in Polk County is £223,405 (rightmove.co.uk).

Weather: The average daily high temperature in Florida is above 22C year-round, peaking at 33C in July and August. Lowest temperatures of around 9C are in January and February.

Taxes: There’s no income tax (one of seven such states in the US), the Florida sales tax rate is 6 per cent and there is no inheritance tax.

Crime: Violent crime and property crime are below national averages.

Education: There are state-funded schools and a dozen public universities. The highest ranking private school, Dwight Global Online School in West Palm Beach, charges £41,895. (Niche.com)

Health care: Health insurance is required and costs from about £480 a month for someone in their thirties to £850 for those over 60 – though policies can soar with extra covers included.

Cost of living: Estimated at £39,739 annually according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The cost of a glass of wine is £6.42 in a bar, a 330ml beer is £4.01, and a three-course meal with wine for two at a restaurant is from £67.87.

Immigration: 21.6 per cent of the 22.63 million population is foreign born.

Who’s in charge? Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, Republican Party

South Africa 

More than 200,000 British expats live in the Rainbow Nation. Growing numbers are attracted by its warm climate, national parks, beaches and very low cost of living.

Housing: There are no restrictions on expats buying properties. A well-designed three-bed house in Fish Hoek in the Western Cape is £282,315 (rightmove.co.uk).

Weather: Temperatures are above 20C for most of the year, touching 30C in January and February. Temperatures can dip to 7C June to August.

Taxes: Taxes start at 18 per cent and rise to 36 per cent for earnings of over £19,950.

Crime: Housebreaking, the most common crime, home robbery and car theft increased last year. The country’s per capita murder rate was the highest in 20 years at 45 per 100,000.

Education: As well as state schools, independent schools (which 5 per cent of students attend) are available with fees ranging from £2,780 to £9,000 per year.

Health care: Up to 80 per cent of the population uses the public system, which is underfunded and overstretched. The private system is strong, but you’ll need to arrange insurance.

Cost of living: 46 per cent lower than in the UK. A three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant in South Africa is about £30, a pint of beer at a bar is £1.70 and a coffee at a cafe is £1.45. Utility bills per month are about £82.

Immigration: 7.2 per cent of the 61.02 million population.

Who’s in charge? President Cyril Ramaphosa of the African National Congress.

Canada

An estimated 650,000 British expats live in the world’s second biggest country, attracted by outdoorsy lifestyles with huge national parks and ski resorts.

Housing: The average house price is £414,065, according to Tradingeconomics.com – 38 per cent more expensive than in the UK. The only problem is the government has banned foreign nationals from buying homes to cap rising prices. So renting is the only way for now, and rents are 6.1 per cent higher than in the UK.

Weather: Very cold winters with daily averages around minus 15C (but minus 50C possible); summer highs range from the low 20’s to 30C depending on region.

Taxes: Income tax is 15 per cent for earnings of under £28,902; up to 33 per cent for those earning above £127,654 (expat.hsbc.com).

Crime: Canada’s violent crime rate has risen slightly to 2.08 incidents per 100,000 people, according to Statistics Canada. Break-ins, car theft and fraud have declined.

Education: Excellent. Canada is the most educated country in the world, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with 57 per cent of adults attaining an undergraduate degree. More than 90 per cent of Canadians attend state-run schools. International schools with British curriculums are available.

Health care: Apply for a free health insurance card from your provincial or territorial government as soon as possible after arrival.

Cost of living: 4.2 per cent higher than in the UK, according to Numbeo.com. A glass of wine (175ml) is £6.95 in a bar in Vancouver, a 330ml beer is £4.53 and a three-course evening meal for two with wine at a restaurant is from £87.66.

Immigration: About 23 per cent of the 39.10 million population.

Who’s in charge? Justin Trudeau is Prime Minister of Canada, leader of the Liberal Party.