40% of British expats are homesick and a third want to return to the UK, according to the Daily Mail. If you want to return ‘home’, it can be too easy to get overwhelmed by the complexity of uprooting your entire life, again. To make it that little bit easier, we’ve created a helpful checklist for Britons returning to the UK.
Visas and Migration for Expats Returning to the UK
Many expats returning to the UK do so after many years of living abroad, sometimes after losing their British citizenship. If this is the case for you, you may need to apply for a returning resident visa.
Another common situation that British expats face while repatriating revolve around their families. Some people begin families with Non-UK passport holders. This can cause stress when returning to the UK. If you find yourself with the same stresses, you may need to apply for this specific visa.
If you have any queries or concerns about your visas or migrating back to the UK, then we recommend contacting your local British embassy. You may also find helpful information on the Direct Gov website.
Emotional Challenges when Returning to the UK
Reverse culture shock is a common symptom experienced by British expats returning from cultures that vary massively from ours. Even if you’re returning from a European country, such as Spain or France, you will face a number of cultural obstacles.
These are some of the challenges you may be faced with once you’ve returned to the UK:
The Language Barrier – If you’ve been speaking another language while you were away, your English may not be what it once was.
Cultural Differences – Cultural differences vary depending on the country you’re returning from. For example, the attitude towards women in some countries can be quite different to what it is in the UK.
Readjusting your Diet – Your body will have grown accustomed to foreign foods and the transition to the food available in the UK might take its toll on your body.
Social Politics – People in the UK may be less accepting of some of the behaviour that you’ve grown used to, just as you may be uncomfortable with some of the behaviours you will be surrounded by.
Reconnecting with Friends and Family – While you were away, you may have missed a lot of your friends and family’s lives. It could take some time and patience for you and them to reconnect.
Returning to the UK with a car
A lot of people become attached to their overseas car and wish to import it when they return. Luckily, it’s now easier than ever before. You can find more information about importing your vehicle into the UK here.
Many Britons returning to the UK don’t anticipate car insurance being an issue, however it can be. It can be hard to find a reasonable car insurance quote as an expat, but not with us.
Unlike many UK insurance companies, we accept foreign NCB or driving experience. As long as you can get an English translation, we’re happy to provide insurance quotes that reflect your driving experience. So you won’t have to worry about insuring your car when you return to the UK.
Your Checklist for Returning to the UK
To help make your return easier, we’ve created a printable checklist that covers lots of important aspects of repatriation.
Download your free returning to the UK checklist to help relieve some of your stress.