Challenges of moving from the Germany to the UK involve complex immigration laws and visa applications. Just one misstep — delay or even denial of entry could affect your personal and professional plans. Let an expert team of immigration solicitors help you with your relocation. Leave all your worries behind and rest assured regarding having every aspect of your move managed efficiently and in compliance with UK regulations. From securing an appropriate visa to enter the country to understanding the minutiae of residency in the UK, our services help you to move seamlessly.
The Success Story: Read about how A Y & J Solicitors helped this Germany client relocate to the UK and made the process easy, ensuring timely entry into the UK.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we've helped thousands of new and experienced business owners move to the UK from around the world. We understand the typical challenges that come along with your visa application for self-sponsorship UK and know how to mitigate them. We walk you through step by step, showing you how to self-sponsor a work visa in the UK. Instead of going it alone, let our lawyers take the weight off your shoulders, so you can rest easy knowing you'll be able to bring your business (and family) to the UK.
Kate Corey, Founder of 6 Degrees
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the British system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews across Google and Trustpilot and is listed in The Legal top 500 best UK law firms, so you can rest assured your immigration challenges are in safe hands when you take these three simple steps:
German citizens have many benefits from moving to the UK. The culture here is not too dissimilar from that in the UK, making the transition relatively easy and straightforward. German people are drawn to the UK for its politeness, humour (especially Monty Python), beautiful villages, stunning landscapes and countryside, culture, history, pubs, and, of course, fish and chips and cups of tea. But more than this, the UK offers a fantastic lifestyle, excellent job opportunities, and arguably the best educational opportunities in the world.
Each immigration visa has its own legal requirements. The main visa routes and requirements for German nationals moving to the UK from Germany after Brexit are as follows.
There are many other visa options available in the UK. To better understand the visas available and which will better suit your needs, we would always recommend speaking to an immigration Solicitor in the UK.
Before you make the final decision to emigrate to the UK from Germany, it is important to work out the cost of doing so. You will need to factor in the cost of removals, transport, storage, rent deposit, car purchase, etc. Factor in the cost of your UK visa (and those of your family members) and the healthcare surcharge, which will give you access to the National Health Service (NHS) if you need medical care during your time here.
It is extremely easy to set up your finances in the UK. We recommend opening a UK bank account when you arrive in the UK because you will need to have a permanent address here and be able to prove your identity. You will also need to apply for a national insurance number once you are in the UK before you start your new job. Your employer will register you for ‘pay as you earn’ (PAYE) tax, meaning that they will automatically deduct any income tax you owe from your salary and pay this directly to HM Revenue & Customs (the government department responsible for collecting taxes in the UK) on your behalf. This makes calculating and paying tax in the UK extremely straightforward.
If you are considering moving from Germany to the UK, you are in great company. It is estimated that there are around 135,000 German nationals living in the UK with approximately 15,000 living in Scotland. In this guide, we will explain everything that you need to know about moving to the UK from Germany: the legal requirements, the cost of living here, the steps you will need to take to move to the UK, and the benefits of relocating from Germany to the UK.
Since Brexit, as a German citizen who wishes to live in the UK, you will need to apply for a UK immigration visa. The type of visa that you will need to apply for depends on why you are coming to the UK. For example, if you are coming to the UK to work, you will need a work visa, and if you are coming to study, you will need a student visa, etc. Alternatively, if you have close family members living in the UK, you may be able to apply for a family visa.
Each immigration visa has its own legal requirements. The main visa routes and requirements for German nationals moving to the UK from Germany after Brexit are as follows.
The cost of living in the UK is roughly on a par with Germany, however, once rent is factored in, German citizens living here can expect to pay around 10% more overall. This is because the cost of rent itself is roughly a quarter higher in the UK compared to Germany. The cost of eating out is also more expensive in the UK, being around 18% more than in Germany. This is slightly offset by the fact that food and grocery prices are about 8% lower in the UK.
Here is a checklist of items to consider before making the decision to emigrate from Germany to the UK:
Self-Sponsorship offers a way for German citizens to reside in the UK without the need to gain sponsored employment and apply for a work visa. Using this route, German citizens can set up their own company without the need for a UK sponsor. The self-sponsorship route provides a direct immigration pathway to permanent settlement in the UK and, eventually, citizenship.
If you are currently resident in Germany but are not a German national, you will most likely still need to apply for a visa to live, work, or study in the UK. The immigration route you choose will depend on the reason why you are coming to the UK and your country of nationality. If you are unsure of the best immigration route for you and your family, we recommend speaking to an immigration Solicitor in the UK before you proceed.
If you have a partner or spouse or a parent or child who is a UK citizen or settled in the UK, you may be eligible for a UK family visa. The exact requirements that you will need to meet vary with each visa type. For example, you can apply for a spouse visa if you are married to a British citizen, a person who has settled here, a citizen of the EU/EEA who started living in the UK before 1st January 2021, or a person with refugee status in the UK. Again, it is advisable to speak to an immigration Solicitor if you are unsure if you are eligible for a UK family visa.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today. We’re here to help!
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