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Moving to London (and the UK) from New Zealand - The Comprehensive Guide

Our guide covers the pros and cons of moving to London, a must-know pre-move checklist, extensive details around visas, tax, living costs, banking, logistics, finding a job, student loan management, healthcare and must-know facts and frequently asked questions.
Updated 11 November 2024

Introduction
  • With the rising cost of living and high OCR putting pressure on mortgage rates and credit card debt balances, coupled with stagnant wage growth and a tough economic environment, many young Kiwis are increasingly considering offshore alternatives such as the UK and Australia.
  • It’s no surprise that more Kiwis than ever before are considering moving to the UK. Whether it's for proximity to Europe, the promise of more fun and something new or the higher pay, London presents a compelling case for Kiwis of all ages. However, it's not for everyone, as this January 2024 Reddit post makes clear.
  • While many Kiwis have thrown everything they own in a bag and jumped on a one-way flight to Australia, moving to London and the UK is very different. There are far more variables to consider that many Kiwis ultimately scramble to sort out at the last minute.
  • As such, many Kiwis have encountered unexpected complications or don't know what to do regarding cultural or administrative matters (especially financial matters like tax, rent, bonds, medical care, and visas).
  • Our guide, the first of its kind, covers what's important to help you plan a move to London. However, unless you can stay with friends or family for weeks or months when you first arrive, you'll need significant savings - we estimate around NZ$20,000 is a basic starting point for day 1 of your arrival. This means you'll need to have already paid for your flights and visa and have money on call to spend as you need it.
  • We are not romanticising London - get it right and it will be a great experience, but being unprepared or underskilled makes it a tough place to be given the high costs and competition for jobs. Our guide is published to be realistic about the move many New Zealanders make every year, albeit with varying outcomes.
  • Important: Start saving money, in particular, as part of a Youth Mobility Visa application you'll need to produce a bank statement that shows you've got £2,530 (around NZ$5,500) for over 28 days, without ever dropping below this balance. The UK immigration department requires this to ensure you have sufficient funds to support your stay in the UK, and this can hold up applicants who don't know about the requirement upfront.

A lot can be covered when it comes to moving to London. Because of the significant depth of the topics associated with moving abroad to the UK with a New Zealand passport, our guide has ten sections that cover distinct topics:
Our 8 Must-Know Considerations:
  1. Visas and Citizenship
  2. UK Tax Residency and Taxes
  3. Comparing Living Costs
  4. Banking, Finance and Foreign Exchange Fees
  5. Logistics of Moving to London (Moving, Administration, Rent, Set-up)
  6. Finding a Job (Contract versus Permanent)
  7. Dealing with New Zealand Student Loans (Studylink) abroad
  8. UK Healthcare (IHS)

Further Guidance:
Know This First: While London is a part of the wider United Kingdom, we have used London and the UK interchangeably here as the majority of Kiwis will be interested in moving to London.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his views on moving to London:

"​Having spent time in London during many NZ winters, I'm well-acquainted with the current London job market. It's important to understand that finding a job in London is now more challenging than ever in several industries. The market is fiercely competitive, jobs are not as numerous, and many Kiwis underestimate the difficulties and fail to prepare financially for the potential period of unemployment in London.

Make sure you have enough money saved to support yourself for the first few months while you navigate the job search. You'll need to be proactive and persistent - when I moved to London in 2010, I pestered recruiters daily on the phone and locked down a job in about four weeks. It was easier 'back then', but you will get there. The key to standing out in London's crowded job market is to be proactive, enthuastic ands prepared.

Having lived in London in the past, I did notice a few Kiwis get homesick. It didn't happen to me, but the UK is a long way from home, and the cultural differences can be a shock. The weather can be downright miserable, especially when everyone back in New Zealand is enjoying summer and sharing photos of beach days and long warm nights. However, it's not just about missing friends and family; it's the small things like the laid-back vibe, the food, fruit, music and culture. Being prepared for these emotional challenges is just as important as handling the logistical ones.

That being said, the opportunities in London are amazing, and the proximity to Europe is a huge bonus. You can be in Paris, Rome, or Berlin within a few hours. However, living in London is expensive, and you may not save much money despite higher salaries. Gone are the days when most people could work in London for five years, travel, and save enough for a big house deposit back in New Zealand. Instead, you must be realistic about what you can and can't do.

The administrative matters to get here (visas, health care, etc) take some time to navigate and can delay you if you don't know what's required. For example, for the Youth Mobility Visa, you'll need a bank account balance of well over NZ$5,000 for 28 days. This requirement holds up some New Zealanders because they weren't aware of it upfront, delaying their trip. Beyond the visa, having a financial buffer is essential - don't arrive in London without money; it will be miserable, and you'll be a liability to others.

London will likely accelerate your career trajectory, especially if you return to New Zealand. Employers back home often value the experience gained in such a diverse and fast-paced environment. The sheer scale and scope of industries in London provide learning and growth opportunities that are unparalleled. This experience can make you a more competitive candidate and open doors to senior roles upon your return.

Despite the challenges, the long-term benefits of living and working in London can be substantial. The city's international environment exposes you to new perspectives and experiences, broadening your horizons personally and professionally. The network you build in London can also be invaluable for your career. Many Kiwis find that the connections they make and the skills they develop in London benefit them long after they've left".
MoneyHub Founder
Christopher Walsh

Important - Why do so many Kiwis travel to London? What’s the big deal?

Thanks to New Zealand's history as part of the Commonwealth, Kiwi passports enable many work/travel benefits, such as:
Many countries standardise working holiday visas for New Zealanders to be one year. However, the two-year duration for Canada and the three-year duration for the UK are extremely attractive for Kiwis who want to immerse themselves in a new country without having to think about leaving after 12 months. 

Why London? When does it make the most sense to move to London? 
As outlined in this January 2024 Reddit post, Kiwis move to London for different reasons. Some of the top reasons include:
  1. More Job opportunities (and, for some job, higher pay).
  2. A change of scenery (maybe you’ve lived in New Zealand your entire life).
  3. New experiences (such as working for larger companies or within the hustle of London's banking and insurance district)​

Pros and Cons of Moving to London

Like anything, London has pros and cons, which we outline in detail.

Pros

1. Financial benefits
  • Working in London means earning pounds (generally twice as strong as the New Zealand Dollar). Having said that, whether your salary is higher compensated relative to New Zealand heavily depends on the industry (e.g. in Law, A NZ qualified lawyer earning NZ$100,000 after 3 years Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) would jump to around £150,000 (NZ$300,000+. In contrast, other job lines might experience a cut in salary given demand/supply (e.g. hospitality).
  • Equally, costs in London are, on average, much higher (especially for things like rent – which we'll break down below). It's possible to save much more in London, but it will heavily depend on your spending patterns. If you're making a lot more but spending a lot more travelling on early morning and late night flights to Europe every weekend, you might not be much better off financially than if you stayed in New Zealand.

2. The work-life balance in Europe is good (relative to other megacities)
  • Europe has strong employment law protections - it's not uncommon to get six weeks of annual leave and for cultural norms to have everyone take many weeks off during school holidays or summer (the workplace shuts down, and people don't reply to emails at all).

3. London is a stone’s throw away from the rest of continental Europe
  • In contrast to New Zealand (which takes at least 3 hours to get to the next major city overseas), London is around 60-150 minutes and NZ$50 away (thanks to cheap airlines such as Ryanair and the Eurostar train) from the entirety of continental Europe. Whether it's a day trip to Paris, a weekend in Copenhagen, or a week in Athens, Europe is close.

4. London has more of everything
  • Whether you love theatre, sports, food, or any other hobby, London will have ten times the amount you have or are used to in New Zealand. Specifically, in a work/job or career context, there’s a much deeper granularity of roles. In New Zealand, everyone is a generalist, and you don't have a lot of breadth and depth (as there just aren’t that many companies or people), but in London, everything is significantly more specialised.

5. London is likely to accelerate your career trajectory (especially on return to New Zealand)
  • London is a land of abundant career opportunities. It's not just about the volume of jobs but the quality of these roles—the career opportunities, the learning and development prospects, and the industries that might not be as developed or even exist in New Zealand.
  • Australian and New Zealand employers love seeing London job experience – it can help progress your career. There's a consensus that the type of work and experiences you get whilst working in London is significantly more valuable than the experience you get in New Zealand – meaning you're likely to be able to take more senior roles on your return. 

6. You’ll likely recognise all the areas and locations from the Monopoly game
  • Whether it’s Mayfair, King’s Cross, Pall Mall, Oxford Street or Leicester Square – all Kiwis have played Monopoly and have likely memorised the most expensive properties and stations. These places are all real and very apparent when you walk through London. We recommend doing a whole walking tour to try and see all these places! 

Cons

1. Distance and time away from family and friends in New Zealand
  • Staying in touch with family is tough when you're thousands of kilometres away. Equally, it’s a pain trying to get back home during peak hours (and it almost certainly will take 30 hours for each leg of the flight).
  • You will almost certainly miss out on family events back in New Zealand. FOMO is real (especially if you have a family WhatsApp group). However, the opportunities and advantages of being in London and the rest of Europe will almost always make up for these missed moments (and you can always go back to New Zealand after a few years).

2. Higher tax rates (relative to New Zealand)
  • The top individual tax bracket in the UK is 45% - more than 6% higher than the top tax bracket in New Zealand. For those high earners moving to London (e.g. Lawyers, Doctors, Finance or Tech Professionals), you'll likely be paying a higher effective tax rate on your income. 

3. An extremely high cost of living
  • Housing is really expensive in London. Seriously. If you were paying a lot in Auckland or Wellington, assume you would pay close to 50% of your take-home rent anywhere near central London. Unfortunately, any city that offers great things, such as London, comes at a steep price. 

4. Job hunting can be a nightmare
  • More jobs are going in London, but infinitely more people are going for those jobs, making it hard to land an initial job. Additionally, unless you worked for an internationally recognised multinational conglomerate, it can be tough to explain your prior experience to recruiters or firms that are hiring (especially if they are NZ-specific). Many times, New Zealand experience is "discounted" as it may be perceived as less valuable (e.g. if you worked in law for three years, they may discount those years down to two given the nature of deals and work itself may have been lower quality than the equivalent law work done in London). ​

Moving to London Checklist

Assuming you've weighed the pros and cons and decided to move over to London, this three-stage checklist covers the essentials. We've drafted the below assuming you're applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, given that the majority of Kiwis will be applying under this type of visa and won't be applying under the Skilled Worker visa or the UK Ancestry visa, given the more stringent requirements.

Stage 1: Pre-London (pre-visa approval)
The high-level pathway to getting your visa approved is: Apply for the application-> Biometrics appointment -> Notification of application received -> Notification of processed application -> Email of successful application (or request for more info) -> Receive visa and passport back. Before this is underway, you'll need to make sure you complete the following.
  1. Choose when you want to move over. Generally, you'd want to move over in the warmer seasons (e.g., spring or summer) and avoid moving when things are "shut down" (like January, when recruiters are still on leave, or July, when most of Europe goes on annual leave during school holidays).
  2. Start saving money. In particular, as part of your visa application you'll need to produce a bank statement that shows you've got £2,530 (around NZ$5,500) for over 28 days (without ever dropping below this balance). The UK immigration department requires this to ensure you have sufficient funds to support your stay in the UK.
  3. Gather the documents you’ll need for various applications, including personal information, prior travel documentation (e.g. where you’ve travelled internationally in the last 5-10 years) and current passport (with at least one blank page and one that’s not less than one year before expiring) 
  4. Apply for your visa through the gov.uk website. You’ll need certified documents, including your passport, bank statements showing proof of funds and a completed application form. Some applicants may need to submit their documents online, while others might submit them in person during the biometrics appointment (detailed below). The total processing time between application and approval will likely be three to five weeks for the majority of applicants (assuming no unusual delays - Source: Reddit). After submitting the application form, you’ll need to:
  5. Pay the application Fee (which covers the visa processing cost) and IHS/NHS surcharge.
  6. Attend a biometrics appointment: The visa application instructions will tell you to book a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in New Zealand, VFS Global), such as Auckland or Wellington. You can go to either the standard or premium centres for this biometrics appointment. The premium centres ensure a faster biometrics processing time. 
  7. Biometrics Collection: Attend the appointment for fingerprints and photo capture. Ensure all documents are in order. The Processing Time varies but typically takes a few weeks. Applicants have reported timelines ranging from 2 to 4 weeks from the biometrics appointment to receiving the visa decision.
  8. Waiting: Wait 3-4 weeks for your visa application to get approved (or be prepared to respond with additional info if necessary). Then, feel free to book your pre-London travel around Europe (if applicable). 
  9. Tracking Progress: Keep an eye on emails from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for updates on the application status. You'll receive an email about the visa decision. If successful, you will be instructed on how to collect your visa. The visa will specify the start date when you are allowed to enter the UK.
  10. Passport Return: Your passport, with the visa vignette, will be returned to you. Ensure all details are correct. 

Stage 2: Pre-London (post-visa approval)
  1. Book your flights (once your visa has been approved, not beforehand in case there are delays)
  2. Ensure you have enough savings for your travel and the first six weeks in London (and a flat bond). We suggest having at least NZ$10,000 saved up to help you arrive with a financial buffer. 
  3. Change your NZ bank account mailing address to a UK address and get a statement mailed there (this will give you proof of a local address that makes setting up UK bank accounts easier).
  4. Start lining up early conversations with London recruiters (remotely or from New Zealand) or start applying for jobs through LinkedIn.

Stage 3: On the ground in the UK
  1. Get a UK phone number (e.g. Lyca, O2, Vodafone).
  2. Upon arrival in the UK, you'll need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (known as a BRP) within ten days from a designated post office.
  3. Apply for a UK bank account (see below)
  4. Apply for your NI Number
  5. Register with a local GP
  6. Start your flat/apartment/house hunt
  7. Start lining up in-person job interviews

UK Visa Requirements for New Zealanders

What are the main visa pathways?
If you don’t have a British passport, you will need a visa to work in the UK through three main visas: 
  1. Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Visa - 2-3 years (18-35 year olds). Note: the YMS visa is initially set for two years with the ability to extend by one year – you won’t get three years by default, you need to extend it. 
  2. UK Ancestry Visa - 5 years (if you have a grandparent born in the UK).
  3. Skilled Worker Visa - 3-5 years (if you have a job offer from a UK employer).

More details:
What’s the pathway to UK Citizenship for New Zealanders?
It depends on your visa and whether a UK employer is sponsoring you. 

1. Ancestry Visa (Kiwis with British parents or heritage)
  • The pathway to UK citizenship usually involves spending five continuous years in the UK to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), equivalent to New Zealand's Permanent Residency (with some nuances). Then, once you have ILR, you can continuously apply for UK citizenship after 12 months of living in the UK.
  • Those Kiwis on the Ancestry visa will be able to go down this pathway (as the Ancestry visa is valid for five years).
  • Note: Being born in the UK does not automatically guarantee you British citizenship.

2. Kiwis without British grandparents or heritage
  • For many Kiwis on the standard three-year working holiday visa (who don't have British heritage or aren't on the Ancestry visa), reaching the minimum five years necessary to get ILR is difficult.
  • Important: The time spent on the YMS Visa does not contribute towards this five-year minimum. Assuming your grandparents were not British, the two most common pathways for non-British ancestry Kiwis to get UK citizenship are:
  • a) Getting a firm to sponsor you (e.g. your employer) for 5 years to reach ILR (then apply for UK citizenship after 12 months).
  • b) Entering a civil partnership with or marrying a British Citizen.

More details:

UK Tax Residency and Taxes

The UK's tax system operates on a progressive scale, where the tax rate increases as your income increases (similar to New Zealand's tiered tax system). Both countries tax their residents on their worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed only on their income, sourced within each country. You can see the current tax bands on the UK government website.

The progressive tax system in both countries means that higher earners pay a higher tax rate, reflecting the ability to pay principle. For instance, low-income earners in the UK do not pay any tax on their income up to £12,570. This is known as a 'tax free personal allowance'. 

In the UK, individuals must obtain a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), understand tax rates, use a tax calculator, and work with a tax agent /accountant (if applicable, and often popular for those contracting). The taxation system in the UK functions similarly to that of New Zealand, with the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) serving a function similar to New Zealand's Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

Tax Rates
Both countries have a progressive tax system (meaning that the more you earn, the higher your effective tax rate). In the UK, the tax rates range from 0% to 45%, while in New Zealand, they range from 10.5% to 39%.

Comparison of living costs: United Kingdom versus New Zealand

Please be aware we have taken the data from Numbeo: 
​Headline Cost Comparisons between NZ and the UK (country-wide):
  • The cost of Living in New Zealand is 4.0% higher than in the United Kingdom (without rent).
  • The cost of Living, Including Rent, in New Zealand, is 2.3% lower than in the United Kingdom.
  • Rent Prices in New Zealand are 16.1% lower than in the United Kingdom.
  • Restaurant Prices in New Zealand are 8.8% lower than in the United Kingdom.
  • Groceries Prices in New Zealand are 25.1% higher than in the United Kingdom.
  • Local Purchasing Power in New Zealand is 4.7% higher than in the United Kingdom.

Overall, New Zealand is more expensive for food but much cheaper for housing/rent.

Important: Given that most MoneyHUb readers will likely want to move to London, the rest of the cost comparison section will focus on London versus Auckland. We have used Auckland as it's the largest city and likely the most expensive on a total cost-weighted basis.

Headline Cost Comparisons between Auckland and London (comparing the largest cities in each country):
  • Cost of Living in Auckland is 15.2% lower than in London (without rent).
  • The cost of Living, Including rent, in Auckland, is 32.3% lower than in London.
  • Rent Prices in Auckland are 53.6% lower than in London.
  • Restaurant Prices in Auckland are 27.1% lower than in London.
  • Groceries Prices in Auckland are 10.7% higher than in London.
  • Local Purchasing Power in Auckland is 13.1% higher than in London.

Overall, Auckland is drastically cheaper when it comes to restaurants and housing (with rent greater than 50% higher in London, even when Auckland is historically expensive compared to other New Zealand cities). In other words, London's rental market is in another ballpark of expensive.

While there's a widely held notion that the financials of moving to London are far better than Auckland, the proof is in the pudding. Whether you’re better off in the United Kingdom versus New Zealand heavily depends on what cities you’re comparing. Costs will vary based on the city you choose. As such, we suggest going to Numbeo and plugging in your current New Zealand and prospective UK cities you might want to move to and see the RELATIVE cost increase/decrease.

​How do salaries compare between London and New Zealand?

  • ​Comparing salaries, Auckland's salaries are roughly 23.5% lower than London's.
  • Comparing 20-year fixed mortgage rates, Auckland mortgage rates are roughly 28.4% higher than London mortgage rates (likely due to the gap between the RBNZ's current OCR and the BoE's base rate and market expectations of how that benchmark rate is likely to move in the future).

How do rent/housing costs compare between London and Auckland?

Housing costs are the single most significant factor affecting the cost of living in London. 
  • In London, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the centre of the city is around NZD 4,500 ($1.1k a week), while outside the city centre, it is about NZD 3,400 per month ($850 per week). 
  • In Auckland, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is approximately 2.1k NZD a month ($525 per week), while outside the city centre, it is about NZD 1,900 a month ($475 per week). 

Know This: Housing costs can vary significantly depending on where you live within these cities. For example, renting a room in Mt Eden in Auckland is drastically more expensive than renting that same room in Drury. Equally, renting a studio apartment in Mayfair is drastically more expensive than renting in Clapham.

We suggest checking out some of the UK’s property marketplaces, e.g. Rightmove, Zoopla, PrimeLocation, Foxtons (a real estate and lettings agent), to understand better the rental market for the area you want to live in.

How do transportation costs compare between London and Auckland?

  • Transport costs in both countries include public transport, taxis and private vehicles. In London, a monthly public transport pass costs around $415; in New Zealand, the cost is around NZD 215 (almost half the cost compared to London).
  • Petrol prices are also slightly higher in London, at approximately NZD 3.15 per litre compared to NZD 2.94 per litre in Auckland. However, note that it's far more common to own a car in Auckland due to the lack of critical infrastructure versus London, which has the tube public transport system that spans the entire city.

How do restaurant costs compare between London and Auckland?

Across the board, London restaurant prices are almost always more expensive than restaurant prices in New Zealand (except for water and imported beer, which are around 10% more expensive in Auckland).

​How do supermarket costs compare between London and Auckland?

  • Grocery prices vary greatly between London and Auckland. Some items (like beer, fresh vegetables, and eggs) are drastically more expensive in Auckland, while others are modestly cheaper.
  • Overall, grocery prices are more often than not more expensive in Auckland than in London (which might surprise some).

Banking and Foreign Currency Exchange

​What are my banking options in the UK? 
Most Kiwis will have three options when it comes to banking for those moving from New Zealand to London:
  1. Short-term (band aid solution): Use your existing bank accounts (via credit/debit cards) or neobanks.
  2. Long-term (faster access): Fill out a UK banking application account before leaving New Zealand and activate the UK account once you arrive in London (HSBC UK, for example, has a dedicated page for applying for an account while you're outside the UK).
  3. Long-term (slower access): Opt for the standard method by applying to open a UK bank account once you've arrived in the UK without filling out a pre-departure application process (this option is usually slower and will require you to fill out more paperwork once in the UK).

Short-term: Use New Zealand based banks or fintech platforms
  • If you're planning on taking a short holiday (less than a month ) or a fixed-term secondment (e.g. four months in London), then it's reasonable for you just to use your New Zealand credit or debit card facilities (either through a main bank like ANZ or ASB or through Wise or Revolut.
  • While spending on your existing credit/debit cards with your main bank is easier, note that there will usually be a currency conversion fee (up to 2.50% per transaction). You likely won't get the best currency conversion rates.

In contrast, when using platforms like Wise or Revolut, you’ll almost always get:
  • A better currency conversion rate than the banks.
  • Little or no currency conversion fees (as their platform/cards are designed to be used and spent internationally).

However, if you plan on staying in the UK longer and want to establish yourself, get a stable salary, and need more credible bank accounts (for immigration or utilities), it's best to set up a dedicated UK bank account with a bank such as Barclays, Lloyds, Natwest, RBS, HSBC or similar.

More details:
The Process of Setting Up a Bank Account in the UK
Our dedicated guide to setting up a UK bank account outlines what you need to know. In summary, HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest are among London’s most popular banks. Some banks allow future residents to set up an account before they arrive in the country, which can be faster and more efficient from a paperwork perspective. The time it takes to open an account can vary, and the documentation may differ between banks. However, you'll need to verify your identity at a physical branch before you get full access to your account.

Establishing your identity (KYC/AML) is the main requirement for opening a UK bank account. Generally, you’ll need to provide some or most of the following:
  • A driver's licence with a photo or Passport
  • Lease documents for a place you’re renting in the UK
  • UK phone number (for 2FA authentication)
  • Bills for utilities like electricity or internet (the spelling of the applicant's name on these documents must be precisely the same)

Important: Consistency in names on your passport and driver's license
Before you leave New Zealand, ensure that the name on your New Zealand driver's licence matches the name on your passport exactly. Any discrepancy could result in your ID being rejected.

Foreign Exchange (FX) - why we suggest considering Wise:

Moving funds from New Zealand to the UK is a significant financial step. Choosing a reliable foreign exchange service is crucial to ensure favourable exchange rates and minimal fees. Additionally, many “main street” banks charge an arm and a leg for foreign exchange between New Zealand and a British bank account - it’s important to be wary of predatory FX conversion rates.

Our research and findings for NZD/GBP Foreign Currency Conversion
  • Our FX research is extensive and continues to grow. Our view is simple - Wise is the best and cheapest way to set up and spend GBP in the short term.
  • It’s easy to create a Wise multi-currency account, register for a virtual Visa debit card and start spending within 15 minutes. From our perspective, it's probable that once you're settled in the UK, a few months post-arrival, you'll transition to a British bank account while keeping Wise for travel and moving money to and from New Zealand.
  • In the interim, the services provided by Wise, including its competitive transfer fees and straightforward set-up, stand as unmatched for those needing an immediate banking solution when relocating to the UK.

Important: Compare and contrast your rates
  • Be sure to check with multiple services (e.g. Wise versus Revolut) especially when converting large sums of money. Be wary of international transfer fees with banks due to unfavourable exchange rates. Once you have a British account, consider using services like Wise for money transfers, which offer transparent fees and real-time exchange rates.
  • For more information, our guide to opening a UK bank account from New Zealand includes a comprehensive step-by-step guide.
  • We also have a a guide for anyone Returning to the UK from New Zealand.

Common questions:

1) I plan on moving to the UK permanently, and I have a lot of NZD in bank accounts and term deposits. What's the best way to convert large amounts of currency?
Ultimately, it'll come down to the best rate you get for converting NZD to GBP. It’s almost always cheaper to convert via neobanks like Wise or Revolut than the main street banks (ASB, ANZ, Westpac, etc.) as they usually add foreign currency conversion fees and sub-optimal foreign exchange (FX) rates compared to Neobanks. When you're comfortable sending the funds, you can do so - we suggest doing it in stages over a few days or weeks.

2) What are my short-term options for spending in the UK? Our guide to UK travel money outlines the following:
  1. Use travel cards from services such as Wise or Revolut.
  2. Spend on credit cards with your main NZ banks (ASB, ANZ, Westpac, BNZ, Kiwibank) - and pay the 1-3% conversion fee.
  3. Convert NZD into GBP when you're in the UK. 

More Details:

Our Top-Rated 'Moving to the UK' Money Solution - The Wise Debit Card

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder (and Frequent User of Wise)
We like the Wise Debit Card because it lets you:
  1. Get the best exchange rates out of any card on the market in New Zealand, including GBP.
  2. Operate a UK account so you can paid and make payments, and spend without hidden fees, and track all your spending through their app. 
  3. Go 'cardless' by connecting your Wise card to Apple Pay or Google Pay
  4. Order the card with a low one-off $14 card issue fee and set it up in minutes via the Wise website or app.

Our view:
  • The Wise Debit Card has no tricky fees, and is years ahead of all the other traditional travel money cards and offers a seamless solution for getting paid by your employer in the UK.
  • You will convert NZD to GBP and GBP back to NZD at the best exchange rates and pay very low fees on each transaction. Best of all, it's easy to use and won't confuse you the way traditional travel money cards might.
  • There may be fees for anyone who relies on physical cash - you can make two withdrawals of up to NZ$350/month in total (or the equivalent foreign currency) without any fees. However, after NZ$350, you will pay ATM fees (NZ$1.50/withdrawal) and a 1.75% commission. These fees are not charged when you use the card to pay online or in-store.​

The Logistics of Moving to London and the UK

Navigating a new country straight can be daunting, particularly for families. Kiwis often ask questions about the best approach to accommodation in London, especially when unsure how long you're staying. Because most Kiwis move to London for all types of lengths and reasons (anywhere from a few weeks to years), the guidance around accommodation varies.

How similar is the London rental/property market to New Zealand?
  • The UK rental market mirrors New Zealand's to some extent. Still, because London is significantly larger and has significant more people (almost 6X the population compared to Auckland), the housing market is more competitive, impacting rental and purchase prospects.
  • Trying to secure a rental before you’ve landed in London (for example, looking online and signing leases directly from New Zealand) is typically harder than getting your "boots on the ground" and talking to lettings agents and landlords. It's also very common to need to put a large security deposit upfront (such as six months' cash before you move in).

What are the main things I need to consider and sort out?
Once you've picked which city you want to move to and where you want to live, the two main administrative tasks to try and square away for most Kiwis are:
  1. Accommodation
  2. Phone and Internet

What are the different types of accommodation options for Kiwis moving to London?
  1. Short-term housing (hotels, hostels, Couchsurfing, friends, etc.).
  2. Renting/flat-sharing details
  3. You are buying a property (which takes time due to the English property laws where an offer can be withdrawn, and an agreement to buy and sell only stands after you've exchanged contracts).

Important: The cost of securing accommodation in London is high at best and unaffordable at worst when compared to New Zealand. It's not unusual to spend around £1,000 a month for a room in a flat, including council tax (your share of a rates bill), power, gas and internet. This is $500+ per week, and you'll need to save the money to pay for this in advance before you start working. We have not explored the different flat-finding websites - there is too much to cover, and Reddit posts offer tips, as do friends living in London. 

What is the process of setting up a phone number? Who are the most popular UK mobile networks?
Generally, it's easiest to pick one of the largest incumbent internet providers. Some top brands include Three, Vodafone and TalkTalk. As a general rule of thumb:
  1. Use roaming if going there for less than a couple of week
  2. Buy a cheap £10 plan e-SIM or SIM if there for three months and use it for hotspot data. You may find this plan is enough, but SIM-only deals are easily found.

What are the logistics of moving? 
Uprooting your entire life can feel scary, but it can help to separate what needs to go and what can stay. Generally, there are three buckets of things that need to be logistically sorted:
  1. Your physical stuff (clothes, gadgets, etc.)
  2. Yourself/Family/Pets
  3. Other "stuff" (documents, etc.)

Moving your things can help you decide what's worth taking with you (on the flight) and what can be stored in New Zealand (either in a storage container or with family and friends).

Should I ship my stuff to the UK or just sell it and buy new stuff when I get there?
  • It depends, but given the long distances, you'd likely lean towards buying new ones if they are of low value once you get there.
  • Physical things (like clothing) might not be as special to you and are easily discarded or given away to charity (which you can replace while you're there). However, some other more significant items (like family albums) are probably best taken with you to the UK. Moreover, other large items (like cars, tools, or furniture ) are probably more of a hassle to ship over, and it might make more sense to sell them in New Zealand and buy another when you reach the UK.  

Our suggested approach is to do your research before you leave New Zealand and know what plan you need to set up first (in other words, get the order right). For example, a typical plan might look like this (after your visa has been sorted and you’ve gotten your NI Number/BRP):
  1. Buy a SIM-only deal to eliminate roaming costs and have a local number
  2. Set up a bank account
  3. Sign a lease for a rental property or room
  4. Set up electricity/gas and internet broadband (if you're not sharing a flat)

Important: London rentals are ultra-competitive and you can expect a ton of interest in properties you’re viewing and know that landlords will likely expect a significant commitment upfront (either multi-year leases or 6 months upfront).​ You'll need to have enough money, often £6,000 or more, to advance the money upfront.

Finding a Job in London

Kiwis have a few options when it comes to finding a job in London:
  1. Search for a full-time job in London in the sector/field you work in before you leave for the UK (e.g. search while you're still working in New Zealand).
  2. Find a full-time job when you're physically on the ground after you move to the UK.
  3. Find casual or fixed-term work while you're on the ground after you move to London and you experience a slow job market for your industry or line of work. It's much more common to do contract-type work in London than if you were moving to other countries. 

The four best ways to find a job in the UK are as followed:
  1. Recruiters
  2. Directly with the company hiring
  3. Networking, word of mouth and referrals
  4. Online job boards

1. Recruiters
  • Due to the vast volumes of roles and huge number of applicants, recruiters are used much more often than in other cities like Auckland or Sydney. Often, recruitment firms will have many more mandates that mean they're able to try and find the right role aligned to your background (rather than just applying to a single job in isolation).
  • Recruiters that operate in certain niches or sectors (such as finance or technology recruiters, contract-specific work, etc.) may deliver better results than going extremely broad. That being said, there are recruiters for a variety of industries.
  • Recruiters can help Kiwis connect to the right companies looking for specific talent, and it can be a much quicker way to find the right role (and save time sifting for roles that might not be the right fit for you).
  • Note that this option is more hands-on and takes time upfront. You'll need to contact recruiters and have a few chats with them to build credibility. Hence, they get a sense of your character and what you're looking for in a job, then go through rounds of information gathering.
  • You will need to be persistent. Recruiters get dozens of CVs sent to them a day, and if you don't try to chase them up consistently, you'll be forgotten amongst the hundreds of thousands of other job seekers who are emailing them. Work the phones and be prepared to be pest to get put forward for roles. 

2. Apply directly through a company’s website
  • While many companies with live jobs post them on job boards like LinkedIn or recruiters, not all companies do this. Some companies only list their jobs directly on their websites (particularly the bigger companies with the brand presence to get job applications, regardless of whether they circulate the job).
  • The best way to find jobs that aren't listed on recruiter websites or job boards is to identify the top companies you'd like to work for and check their websites' open jobs section. 

3. Referrals/networking (non-advertised jobs)
  • Many jobs never make it to a job board or a recruiter's hands. Companies often hire through word of mouth or internal networks.
  • Not only does this save the company effort and time to create the job advert and conduct interviews, but it also allows the company to hire quickly and get someone started in the job (e.g., the person gets into the job and starts working much earlier than going through the traditional recruitment process).
  • If you have LinkedIn, consider reaching out to your wider network (either through a direct message or post to your wider network) to the people you know (or who are in the same space as you) to see if they can get you in front of the right people (or know of any jobs that are going in London).​

4. Online Job Boards
  • It has never been easier or more popular to find live roles online. In the UK, LinkedIn and Reed are the top places companies advertise UK jobs. All job boards have the functionality to filter by city, industry, salary, sector and type of work (full-time, part-time, or fixed-term contract).
  • First, trying your luck and searching for a role in New Zealand before you move is best. Not only is it free and efficient to do so, but it's also the lowest effort way to try and get a sense of what types of roles are out there).
  • Additionally, some platforms have an easy apply function that only requires your CV and takes a minute to apply for. We suggest applying to as many of these easy apply jobs as possible. There are no downsides to sending in a CV. However, be aware that many of these Easy Apply jobs on LinkedIn get hundreds of applicants a day and you may end up applying and never hearing back – e.g. sending your CV 'into the void'. We're not saying not to apply this way, but just know that the odds of converting one of these roles are extremely low. 

Important:
  • Networking can be crucial in job hunting, and proactive applications to companies of interest are also recommended.
  • London is ultra-competitive. London is the number one destination for every single motivated individual around the globe (and especially for countries in Europe). Don't be surprised if hundreds of people are applying for roles online (especially those that are "easy to apply" and require a CV).
  • Be aware that UK job requirements differ from New Zealand's regarding professional qualifications and accreditations (particularly the BAR certification for lawyers). Before moving, make sure you obtain any additional credentials to continue working in your field.

Paying off NZ Student Loans (While in the UK)

Many Kiwis who move to the UK may have studied at a trade school or university, incurring student loan debt. One of the unique benefits of taking out student loans in New Zealand is that they are interest-free (the interest portion of the loan is written off) for as long as you stay in New Zealand.

Any New Zealander moving overseas for six months or longer will see their student loan accruing interest. You will incur interest (historically ranging from 3% to 5%+ in the last few years) after a certain period (usually five out of six months). The IRD has provided guidance on the student loans interest rate for those living overseas.

A few things to note:
  • Having a student loan means you're responsible for ongoing repayments and failure to meet the minimum payments can result in penalties from the IRD.
  • Be aware that interest rates will likely change each year - it's set annually and effective from 1 April to 31 March. 
  • It may make sense to pay off more than your loan, but it may not. If the rate is relatively low, it might make sense only to pay off the minimums (as you can invest the difference in other investments that generate higher returns). This isn't financial advice, but it is an example to show there are other ways to tackle student loans from the UK.

Studying in the UK as a New Zealander
  • Studying in the UK is one of the top destinations for many worldwide. Many UK universities (such as King's College London, the University College of London and The London School of Economics) hold highly prestigious rankings compared to other universities globally.
  • However, these universities are expensive, and it can be hard to find the money to meet tuition costs. There are usually two paths to funding university studies: self-funding and scholarships.

UK Healthcare (National Health Service or NHS)

The UK and NZ have public healthcare systems providing heavily subsidised or free healthcare services to citizens and permanent residents which operates similarly to New Zealand, with two main healthcare pathways: public (NHS) and private (such as buying a private health insurance plan with someone like AXA). Often, one of the requirements for your visa to the UK is to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to be eligible to use the NHS services. 

What NHS benefits am I entitled to?
  • The NHS provides access to subsidised services from healthcare providers, including medical professionals, nurse practitioners, qualified midwives and allied health experts. Additionally, they can receive free public hospital care.
  • New Zealanders who pay the IHS surcharge as part of their visa application get free access to NHS services (on the same basis as other lawful residents of the UK).

Generally, there are two main situations where you might need healthcare support: on shorter-term trips or as a longer-term option (for example, you've moved to the UK).

1. Short-Term Healthcare Solution for Kiwis: Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement
For shorter-term stays (where you haven't enrolled in the NHS and may not intend to reside in the UK for six months), New Zealanders can receive free healthcare under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, which covers essential treatments in public hospitals. Under the reciprocal healthcare agreement, Kiwis are entitled to certain subsidised healthcare services through the NHS, the UK’s public health system. This includes hospital care as a public patient (for example, if you get sick, fall or have an accident while on holiday in the UK).

2. Long-Term Healthcare Solution for Kiwis
New Zealand citizens are eligible for public healthcare in the UK, provided they have paid the HIS surcharge as part of their visa application. For more information, check out MFAT's guide to reciprocal healthcare agreements between NZ and the UK.

Do I need to buy UK private health insurance?
It depends (but not likely if you're eligible for public health insurance through the NHS). Your age, family history, how long you stay in the UK, and risk aversion will all impact whether purchasing UK private health insurance makes sense. You can see the options available on sites like Compare the Market.

​Must-Know Facts about Moving to the UK

1. Expect the UK public health system (National Health Service – NHS) to be slow and administrative
While it's great that you're eligible for NHS services on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, the services need to be provided for almost 10 million people. The NHS is well known to be extremely slow, cumbersome, and difficult to navigate. Be prepared for this (and take out private healthcare insurance if necessary/relevant).

2. Plan out when you want to go home back to New Zealand – flights get more expensive the longer you leave it
Book your flights for Christmas or holidays back to New Zealand in advance and you'll need to book early to get back home at a reasonable cost. Prices usually only get more expensive the later you leave it, so we suggest locking in the dates you want to travel back to New Zealand early.

3. The tube is extremely good, so living further out is a reasonable way to save on rent
One way to avoid this downside is to consider living further out. If you want to live in central (Mooregate, Soho, Mayfair, Holborn), you'll be paying for it (£4,000 or NZ$8,000+ per month is around NZ$100,000 a year for a 2-bedroom apartment is not unrealistic). Living centrally and keeping costs low is possible, but you'll need to flat-share. Alternatively, living further out is more normal, given how regular and quality the tube infrastructure is. 

4. Don’t overlook the intangible benefits of living abroad
When reading ths guide, it can seem like there are infinite things to think about and heaps of things that can go wrong. Remember that like any travel experience, there are serious intangible benefits to living abroad and experiencing a new city/culture. Ask any Kiwi who's done the London OE; they'll almost always recommend it. 

5. Expect ups and downs on your journey to the UK
As with anything, there are ups and downs. London's weather can be miserable in winter, it can be tough to find a job, and unexpected things can happen often. However, you're likely to have a net positive experience – so try not to let all the things that could go wrong stop you from having a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

6. Working and travelling in London is a “use it or lose it” experience; once you reach a certain age, you will lose eligibility for the visa
You can technically be older than 35 and go on the UK YMS Visa. You can go on the 3-year WHV in your late 30s; you just need to have applied by the time you’re 35 and before you turn 36. Once you've been approved for the visa, you have three months to enter the country. For example, if you apply one day before turning 36 and are approved in three months, you could enter the UK at 36 ½ years old and do the “Classic London OE” from 36 to 39, finishing it when you’re almost 40.

7. Not all London OEs are created equal
Figure out when the right time is for you to take the London OE. While the age range is extremely wide for taking the three-year youth mobility visa (18 to 35 for Kiwis), plan out what you want and when is optimal for you. Going into your early 20s as a single person after just finishing university in NZ with a deeply negative net worth is very different from going to London in your late 30s mid-career and with a long-term partner with strong financial stability. Both will be great experiences, but they are different by nature. Figure out what type of experience you want and what makes sense.

8. You don’t HAVE to stay in the UK for all three years just because your visa is valid for that long
While the UK YMS visa (once triggered) is valid for up to two years (with the ability to extend for another year after that), you don’t have to stay for the entire time. Don’t feel “trapped” into staying in London just because you have the visa – it’s providing you the right, but NOT the obligation to stay. Do what feels right for your situation. However, you won’t get your IHS surcharge (that you paid at the start) refunded if you pay for 3 years but leave after one or two years.

9. London is much busier than any other major New Zealand city (e.g. Auckland or Wellington)
Prepare for a bit of culture shock (especially if you’ve never lived in a megacity like New York or Tokyo before). London is extremely chaotic. Due to agglomeration, megacities typically attract far more people, capital, and events, all having multiplicative effects on one another. For example, it's not just 10 times the population; it's 50 times wealth and 100 times events/experiences/culture. The top 10% of ambitious and motivated people from every country around the world flock to these cities, so expect things to be very hustling and busy (from a job context, restaurant booking context, even pace of life and how fast people walk).

10. Expect to feel uncomfortable
Moving cities is always quite traumatic – but it can be even tougher if you don’t know many people in the new city you’re moving to. Isolation and lack of connection is a huge risk, especially if you’re the first of your friends to move to London. Establish a support network as quickly as possible (clubs, hobbies, family friends, work acquaintances, etc.) or schedule weekly WhatsApp/FaceTime calls with your family back home to not feel too isolated when moving over. 

11. Pace yourself
When you're in a new city, it's tempting to plan and do everything under the sun within the first week – but we suggest taking it slowly. Trying to see the entirety of London in your first week will almost certainly lead to burnout – London is a big city. Trying to do all the following in the first month is unrealistic:
  • Apply and interview for 10+ jobs
  • Download all the dating apps and go on multiple first dates
  • Join 10 clubs and Facebook groups
  • Visit all the central London tourist attractions and markets
  • Join a gym
  • Book tickets to all the theatres and shows in town

Our view: Remember that you're going to be here for a while. Don't feel pressured to do everything at all times - you'll burn yourself out if you try to tackle too much. 
London won’t magically solve all your problems. Wherever you go, there you are. While moving cities is incredibly thrilling and can help alleviate some problems, moving halfway across the world to London won’t solve ALL your problems. There are good and bad things about London, like any city.

12. Be mindful of your final year as a New Zealand tax resident (and as you transition to a UK tax resident)
Don’t get caught offside regarding the UK tax situation (such as capital gains tax – which is a thing in the UK compared to New Zealand). We recommend getting an accountant for overly complex situations. But generally, it’s important to know and understand the implications of when you cease to become an NZ tax resident (e.g. when you become a non-resident of New Zealand) and what tax you’re liable for in both the UK and NZ. New Zealand has the 325-day rule within a rolling 12-month period. Note that you can be a tax resident of the UK and NZ (although there will be a Double Tax Agreement to prevent you from paying tax twice on the same income). Also note the 183-day rules in both countries (that state if you spend more than 183 days in any tax year in the country, you're likely to be considered a tax resident of that country). 

13. Get used to smaller spaces, apartments and terraced houses
Space is a premium in London. While you might want that quarter-acre white picket fence lifestyle block like in New Zealand, this might not be realistic in London. Given how expensive it is to live in London, apartments and terraced houses are much more common than standalone houses (in contrast to New Zealand).

14. Leverage recruiters to get a job
London is a recruiter's city. Focus your efforts on the right sectors. Before landing a permanent role, you may have to prioritise short-term/temporary/contract work. Recruiters may ask you what your “day rate” is (effectively, how much you'll cost an employer each day on a short-term contract) – try to figure out what this is. 

15. Keep enough money in your accounts (probably more than you need)
Don't underestimate how much it costs to move abroad. While it's easy to find cheap flights to Australia or Queenstown, moving halfway around the world to the UK is not like this. Know that there are far more random costs than you might expect. From paying the bond on a lease to buying new furniture to moving costs and tax obligations, you might end up paying NZ$20,000+ in the first few months of moving from New Zealand to London.

While it can vary heavily depending on who you ask, you will almost certainly need more money in your accounts than you think. NZ$15,000 to $40,000 is a good ballpark for all the costs you're likely to need, such as:
  • The visa application fee (around NZ$600).
  • The IHS surcharge (around NZ$1,600 per year – so NZ$5,000 for a three-year Youth Mobility Scheme Visa).
  • Airfares (NZ$2,000 - NZ$4,000 return, depending on when you book it).
  • Insurance (if applicable – up to NZ$1,000+). 
  • Moving costs (NZ$1,000+ depending on what you move).
  • 3 - 6 months’ rent upfront (NZ$5,000 to NZ$15,000+ depending on the place).
  • Discretionary travel before settling into London (NZ$500 to $5,000, depending on if you're doing festivals like Tomorrowland or Glastonbury).

16. If you want to travel for an extended period, do it on a tourist visa first.
When you get approved for your YMS visa, you have 90 days to enter the country on that visa. If you were going to do a bit of travel first around other European countries, consider entering the UK on a tourist visa first, then travel out of the UK to do that additional travel (in other words, don’t immediately trigger your YMS visa just yet – just tell the immigration officer you’re coming in on a tourist visa and will use the YMS at a later date). This prevents the YMS “clock” from starting, meaning you get more time in London on the back end.

17. Moving can be a shock to your lifestyle, so take your time
While it can seem daunting to try and do everything right this second, know that it's a gradual process, and you can take time to take action on some of these things. Many Kiwis take months or years before actually moving to London. 

18. The biggest difference by far will be the shift in lifestyle
Anecdotally, the culture is somewhat similar. Almost everyone speaks English in the UK, and most British people are very friendly and emulate some of the cultural characteristics similar to those of Kiwis. However, the biggest difference will be the size of the country and cities. There are just far more people (especially in major city centres like London) and more things going on (shows, events, festivals, activities, etc.). New Zealand residents contemplating a move to London need to weigh the variances in lifestyle and potential impacts on their lives. For those who like the quieter life, potentially picking a less populated or more "chill" place that aligns better with their interests can help to reduce the "shock factor" of moving countries.

19. Be wary of theft and robbery
London is not as safe as New Zealand – and theft is prevalent. Do not leave your phone or wallet on tables at lunches or dinners outside. It’s common for people to grab these things and run away from the scene. While leaving things unlocked in New Zealand is common and much more relaxed, do not do this in London.

20. If you are considering buying UK property, don't forget stamp duty
Like Australia, the UK levies a stamp duty land tax on purchases of property. In contrast, New Zealand doesn't have a stamp duty or land transfer tax – so it may come as a shock that you owe an additional 2 – 5% of the purchase price to the government (you usually can't get a mortgage out on that portion of the purchase).  

21. Join the Kiwis in London Facebook Page
The easiest thing you can do to get your head around London is connect with other Kiwis in London through the Kiwis in London Facebook page (with over 100,000+ followers). Weekly job posts are also for those looking to find temp or contract work potentially. Other sites, pages or group pages that might be relevant include:
22. Try to join all the relevant Facebook pages before leaving New Zealand to find housing (so you're not wasting time and money while on the visa clock in London)
These include:
23. Consider staying with family/friends for the first leg of the trip
If you have any family or friends in London, try to see if they'll let you stay at their place for the first part of the move to London. Not only is this likely to save you significant amounts of money, but it also will make your transition to a new country much less stressful and traumatic (and it will help massively to have someone you know who can guide and support you). 

Many Kiwis who've similarly moved to the UK understand how tough it can be to make the transition, so everyone's usually very glad to help or provide a room or couch to sleep on. 

24. From a job perspective, do as much legwork as possible before arriving.
However, getting recruiters to take you seriously is much easier if you're physically in the city and meet them in person. Recruiters get hundreds of CVs a day – the easier it is that you can stand apart from the rest, the more likely they are to pay attention to you.

General Frequently Asked Questions For New Zealanders Moving to London and the UK in General

We don't cover everything - if you have a question, we suggest asking on Reddit or other social media sites. 

Should I convert NZD to GBP and carry physical cash?

No need. The UK is generally pay-wave friendly and is heading towards a cash-free society. While all vendors legally still have to accept cash, carrying large amounts isn't recommended (due to theft and unfavourable currency conversion rates or fees), just like New Zealand.

Can I still contribute to my KiwiSaver while I’m in London?

Yes, you can still contribute to your KiwiSaver while abroad. It would be best if you continued contributing to get the government match (put in $1,042.86 yourself to get the $521.43 government contribution), as our contribution guide outlines.

Can I access public healthcare in the UK?

Yes, you must pay the IHS surcharge as part of the UK visa application, making you eligible for UK public healthcare.  The important government agencies and resources that you need to know about include:
  • NHS - Government-funded health services
  • HMRC – The IRD equivalent (and apply for a NI Number)
  • Gov UK - The place to find government services and information

How does the UK tax year compare to New Zealand's tax year?

The UK tax year runs from April 6th to April 5th the following year (which differs from New Zealand's April 1 to March 31).

Do I need a car in London?

For most Kiwis, it's unlikely you'll need a car. The tube system infrastructure is well-run and enables most people to get around inner and outer London easily, and buses, trains, tubes and trams all accept debit and credit cards for tap on/off.

Will my qualifications be recognised in the UK?

It depends on the profession. Some qualifications are mutually recognised, while others may require additional accreditation.

Can I access public healthcare in the UK?

Yes, as a condition of your work visa.

Can I vote in the UK as a New Zealand citizen?

How does the tax year compare to New Zealand's?

A UK tax year runs from 6 April to the following 5 April, which is different from New Zealand's April 1 to March 31.

What are the main suburbs or areas where Kiwis stay?

The four most popular suburbs that Kiwis seem to congregate around are (in order of cheap to expensive):
  1. Streatham, South London: All the benefits of South London with a reduced price tag
  2. Clapham, South London: The epicentre of Kiwis (and Aussies)
  3. Highbury & Islington, North London: Upmarket area that’s well connected, close to the city and has lovely parks
  4. Hackney, East London: A very trendy area with great bars, restaurants and pubs
Related guides and resources:
  • UK Travel Money: Focused on financial considerations for New Zealanders travelling to the UK, this guide discusses using cash, debit and credit cards, and travel money cards. It provides tips on managing currency exchange and choosing the UK's most cost-effective and convenient payment methods​​.
  • Working Holiday Visas for Kiwis Aged 30+: Specifically for New Zealanders over 30 looking to work abroad, this guide lists countries offering working holiday visas, including the UK. It covers the eligibility, application details, and essential tips for a successful working holiday experience​​.
  • Setting up a UK bank account: Specifically for New Zealanders.

Important: Do you need Travel Insurance? Too many New Zealanders take the risk and travel without it. Our Compare Travel Insurance guide helps you find affordable coverage from trusted insurers with a history of paying claims. We also compare by country to help you make finding what you need easier: