There are many reasons why Britons might move abroad, including a search for new experiences, more opportunities or better weather.
While countries like Spain and Cyprus are often considered the most popular among British expats, new research suggests expats are now shunning Europe for places where English is more commonly spoken.
The top three locations that Britons moved to in 2024 were outside the continent, according to analysis by 5 Real Estate, which used United Nations data on international migrant stock.
Australia, the United States and Canada topped the list, which could suggest Britons are more concerned about avoiding language barriers.
Australia had the largest number of British expats move there, according to a new study
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Depending on where you choose to settle, these countries mostly have a good climate, boast high salaries, and have large expat communities.
Top countries for UK expats
- Australia
- United States
- Canada
- Spain
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Poland
- France
- Thailand
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Channel Islands
- Switzerland
- Malta
- Romania
- South Africa
- Bangladesh
- Turkey
- Cyprus
- Isle of Man
In Europe, Spain was at the top of the list. It has a large community of British expats, as well as sunny weather, beautiful beaches and a slower pace of life than in the UK.
Ireland landed in fifth place, showing demand for moving close to home, and New Zealand was next on the list, again highlighting the importance of being around English speakers.
Director at 5 Real Estate, Cameron Hamilton, said: “Moving to another country is an exciting life decision. However, the relocation process can be overwhelming, particularly in the post-Brexit era.
“Australia, the USA, and Canada continue to attract the majority of British expats, likely due to the appealing quality of life, being predominantly English-speaking, and with generally higher-paying salaries than the UK."
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Spain was the most popular place in Europe, but English-speaking countries dominated the list
| GETTYWhen it comes to Europe, the expert highlighted there are some surprising parts of the continent on the list, suggesting a growth in demand in places like Poland and Romania.
He continued: "However, we're seeing remarkable growth in European destinations, particularly in Eastern Europe.
"The figures showing substantial increases in countries like Romania and Poland suggest changing priorities for British migrants. However, when you dig a little deeper, migration from these countries to the UK has risen and far outweighs migration to these countries.
“This suggests a proportion of incumbent migrants returning after residing in the UK rather than a trend of British-born citizens increasingly seeking to live there.”