In this page:
Communities of Expatriates |
Ranking of Cities |
Renting an Apartment |
School System |
Health System |
Tourism and Culture |
Individual and Civic Freedoms |
Religion
The information in this section is subject to change and regular updating during the UK's post-Brexit transition period. We will publish the updated information as soon as it becomes available.
Renting an Apartment
- Description of apartments
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Houses and apartments to rent can be found throughout the UK, with a particularly large rental market in London although it is very expensive. You can find both furnished and unfurnished rented accommodation. Apartments and houses are ranked by the number of bedrooms (i.e. 1-bed, 2-bed etc.).
- Agencies or Private Rentals
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Private letting agencies are found in most cities and major towns or online. Properties available for rent are also advertised directly by landlords in local newspapers and specialist property magazines, and your local council may hold a list of accredited landlords in the area.
- Rental Agency Websites
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National Approved Letting Scheme
Zoopla
- Private Rentals Announcements Online
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Zoopla
Free property classified ads
Craigslist London
- Other Possibilities For Accommodation
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Because of the high cost of housing, sharing a flat or house with several others is common. More information on SpareRoom
- For Further Information
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National Approved Letting Scheme
School System
- School Level
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Education is compulsory in the UK between 5 and 16. Many children attend nursery classes from earlier ages. Around 65% of pupils currently remain voluntarily in education beyond age 16. Pupils transfer from primary to secondary school at 11. Only around 6% of children attend private (independent) schools. Universities in the UK are self-governing and have academic independence.
- International Schools
- For International Schools see Schoolsearch.
- For Further Information
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The Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Schools search engine
Health System
- Quality of Healthcare
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The availability of public and private hospital care, together with modern medical infrastructure, means healthcare standards in Europe are generally very high. While good medical services are widely available, free care under the National Health System is only for UK residents and certain EU nationals (subject to change following the UK's withdrawal from the EU).
- International Hospitals
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For information for non-British citizens regarding the UK medical system, and for a list of hospitals, consult the National Health System web pages for visiting England. For health insurance information consult Expat-medical-insurance.
- Health Insurance
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The National Health Service provides free healthcare but over 12% of people have a private health insurance policy. See Healthcare in the United Kingdom
- Accessibility of the Health Insurance Network to Foreigners
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The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives access to state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free. It is strongly recommended that you have an International Medical Insurance policy before you arrive in the UK (subject to change following the UK's withdrawal from the EU).
- Health System Insurance Body
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NHS
- Health Ministry
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Department of Health
Tourism and Culture
Different Forms of Tourism
- Historical
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Roman remains, castles, palaces, stately homes, museums of maritime heritage or the Industrial Revolution. The UK has a wealth of historic places to visit.
- Cultural
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Painting, literature, theatre and music. Prestigious and leading-edge museums, galleries and centres for arts and crafts.
- Nature
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49 designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 40 National Scenic Areas, 14 National Parks and an amazing 27 World Heritage Sites, five of which have World Heritage status due to their outstanding natural features. The landscape is very varied. Scotland and Wales are mountainous with Ben Nevis (Scotland) the highest peak in the UK and Snowdon the highest peak in Wales.
- Religious
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Many thousands of beautiful churches, abbeys and cathedrals spanning 13 centuries of history. They are found in every city, town and village, and most are open for visitors to enter and explore freely. Canterbury Cathedral is one of the UK 's top destinations.
Consult these websites:
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
- Thermal
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There are several spa towns in Britain, Bath Spa being a very popular destination because of its historic past (Roman remains).
- Beach
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Best areas are the South-East, the South-West, Wales, Norfolk, Northumberland and Scotland. Visit Goodbeachguide.
- Winter Sports
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The natural snow resorts are in Scotland and all have invested heavily in recent years.
- Outdoor Activities
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For a list of activities for all tastes, from walking, cycling, riding, golfing to sailing, visit Visitbritain.co.uk.
- Shopping
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Britain is a great place for specialty shopping, whether for souvenirs or luxury treats.
Individual and Civic Freedoms
- Political Freedom
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Widespread
- Civil Liberty
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1/7
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World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 33/180
- Free Access to the Internet
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Respected
- Rule of Law
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Widespread. The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, but critics charge that some procedures introduced to combat terrorism constitute preventive detention.
- Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights
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Respected. However, there have been allegations of abuse of detainees and deportees. Prisons are overcrowded.
- Women's Condition
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Women receive equal treatment under the law but are underrepresented in politics and top levels of business.
- For Further Information
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Freedom House
Religion
- Degree of Freedom
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The law provides for freedom of religion. The Queen is the Head of the Church of England and religious education must be provided in publicly maintained schools.
- Beliefs
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Anglicans 46.3%
Catholics 21.5%
Muslims - Sunni 10.8%
Sikhs 4.2%
Protestants 2.6%
Hindus 1.4%
Jewish 1.3%
Others 11.9%.
- Role of Religion in Society
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Religion pays an important role in contemporary social life and is practiced freely through ceremonies taking place in churches, temples and mosques to punctuate life events.
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Latest Update: June 2023