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Living overseas

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Original poster

Who else is relocating to the UK this year?

102 replies

admylin · 12/04/2009 19:49

Well, the big decision has been made and we're relocating atlast back home to the UK. I thought it would be great to have a bit of advice from those of you who are planning this too or who have already done it maybe.

First steps for me will be getting a place to live (staying at parents first) and a bank account! been out of UK since I was young free and single, returning with 2 dc and dh still be working abroad.

I guess I will have to register the dc with NHS in some way, I still have my old numbers and documents but they were only registered at teh Britsih Embassy after birth.

OP posts:
SuperBunny · 13/04/2009 03:24

Erm, possibly me.

Have been away for 6 years, moving back under very different circumstances if indeed I do - it's all out of my control but finger's crossed.

Califrau · 13/04/2009 03:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
admylin · 13/04/2009 09:23

Thanks cali, I have held out as long as possible but just had to get my dc out of that school system. They are SO looking forward to going to school here. Dd is going to sign up to hockey club, ds can do all sorts of sports and almost just as importantlty I can atlast do something for myself and my brain!

OP posts:
ninedragons · 13/04/2009 09:34

Wow, superbunny! Fabulous news. I made the decision to go home after 14 years and nothing has ever felt so right.

LIZS · 13/04/2009 09:37

We brought dd back to UK having only been registered at the Embassy and just filled in her registration with GP as per usual.

Original poster
admylin · 13/04/2009 09:41

Hardest thing for me is that I've been away for so long and things have changed alot. I have no idea where to start really. Tomorrow everything should be open for information so I will go and ask about registering (do you register in UK even?) and about getting a bank account set up. Still have to fly back to Germany though on Thursday to start sorting and cancelling things there. Also moving dh into a smaller place and then arghhh the question of getting our stuff back and into storage...what is worth bringing and what should we leave etc.

Abit of a busy time ahead I think!

OP posts:
LIZS · 13/04/2009 09:44

You don't really register. You have to notify the tax office that you are resident and that will enable you to claim Child Benefit if you don't already. Go on the electoral roll. You'll need some form of id for a bank account and to change your Driving Licence.

kitbit · 13/04/2009 09:48

Me! hurray! It might be worth speaking to some english banks before arriving, or even open an account with one that has an international presence. Luckily we still have our english accounts, but will have to do everything else.
Look on this web site there's loads of excellent info.

Original poster
admylin · 13/04/2009 09:49

Thanks LIZS that's good to know. I won't be working at first until I've got the dc settled. That would be my next question - where to apply for child benefit. I will probably need a letter to prove I have cancelled the child benefit from Germany too (shame because it's a lot more than here!)

OP posts:
vonny67 · 13/04/2009 13:46

Me! We're moving back after 3 years in Madrid. I've enjoyed my time here, but I'm so excited about going home!

SuperBunny · 13/04/2009 14:19

Thanks Cali. I'll miss you all too. I probably won't end up leaving, anyway

Luckily I still have my British bank accounts and mortgage but after 6 years away, things have changed.

Good thread, Admylin

Original poster
admylin · 13/04/2009 17:26

Maybe we can keep giving each other tips as we find out how things will work! I've already emailed the tax office/inland revenue to inform them I'm coming and to get any forms sent to my UK address in advance.

If I didn't have an address in the UK it would be harder I suppose. I am off to try and open a bank account tomorrow so will let you all know if there are any 'requirements' that I hadn't thought of!

Need to find out about freight or transport for some of my stuff now - cheaper the better, and then a storage company to put it in as my parents won't have enough room really.

OP posts:
SalBySea · 13/04/2009 17:33

The biggest pain in the @ss will be if you closed your UK bank a/cs. You may fail credit checks untill your current a/c has been open for 6 months to a year.

I found this when I moved back. couldnt even get a contract mobile phone for a year and the bank would only give me a cash card for the first 6 months.

Luckily I was living somewhere where I didnt need to go through an agent and get a credit check

so if possible, set up a bank a/c in advance as it affects everything else

Original poster
admylin · 13/04/2009 17:38

I woder if , when I use the moving/relocation service of my German bank if they will pass on my 'history' (it's good!)
That's why I want to set an account up now before I go back so I can use that service.

OP posts:
SuperBunny · 13/04/2009 18:45

Do you know when you'll be moving back, Admylin?

Setting up an account in advance would be ideal - won't your old bank take you back? Especially if you can move a lump sum over.

My situation is different and shipping stuff will be pointless so I may sned over a box or 2 of books & DVDs using Parcel2go but am bringing nothing else. Not that I know if/ when I am moving yet but fingers crossed.

Califrau · 14/04/2009 06:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
admylin · 14/04/2009 08:35

OK, so no credit rating for 6 months, who cares! I'll be outta that place anyway.

Superbunny I am starting to think along those lines too - for the price of soem basic furniture I might as well leave it all and just send teh most precious books and things which could be stored in a pile or 2 at my parents place. Was thinking of storage but it probably isn't worth it. Why are you not sure about coming back? I'm going to aim for coming back within a month or 2 at the most. Have to try and get the dc into primary school before summer so they feel settled before the summer break.

OP posts:
frogs · 14/04/2009 08:39

Admylin, I'm really pleased to hear your news!

You've been miserable so long with the system in Gm, I'm sure it's the right decision. Really hope it all works out for you. The good news is there's much less bureaucracy in the UK, eg registering etc.

When are you landing? If you want to get dc into school before summer, presumably quite soon?

SuperBunny · 14/04/2009 14:32

Ad, I can't say much on here but there is legal stuff involved. If all works out, I should be back by the summer but things often change. I am hoping for the best though (i.e. leaving)

Silly thing is, even though I was a teacher in the UK, I have no idea about finding schools or nursery provision and I am finding it really hard to know what DS should go, where he should go, how often, for how long etc.

Can you get a joint account with someone - a parent? - to get your credit rating moving?

Am glad you are so pleased. I know you were miserable.

LIZS · 14/04/2009 14:39

how old is your dc Superbunny ? They start rEception art rising 5 (ie the academic year they turn 5 bewtene Sept 1st and August 31st). Soemtimes they cna start later than Septmber or part time if they are born after Christmas. Preshcool is normally from around 3.

SuperBunny · 14/04/2009 14:40

He'll be 5 in September so will go to reception in 2010, I think. So he should probably go to nursery or something this September?

LIZS · 14/04/2009 14:42

5 this September ? If so he'd start school (Reception) then .

SuperBunny · 14/04/2009 14:46

No, he'll be 4 in Spetmeber

LIZS · 14/04/2009 14:49

ah in which case he'd be at a preschool or nursery in September - some are private , some attached to primary schools. Not compulsory though. You can get funding from LEA for 12 1/2 (or 15 in some areas) hours worth.

SuperBunny · 14/04/2009 18:11

Good, that's what I thought. Thanks for the help.