Houston Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Blog
Many people contemplate retiring in Europe, to enjoy the company of relatives, a lower price of living or to explore countries they’ve always wanted to see. Here's what you should know if the U.K. is on your retirement radar.
Despite a common language and shared history, life in the U.K. is quite different than life in the U.S. It’s not just that it rains more, or that they drive on the left side of the road. There are cultural differences that can take some time to adjust to. However, as Investopedia points out, there are some advantages to retirees, in the article “How to Retire in the U.K. as an American.”
Required Paperwork. Americans are permitted to spend time in the U.K. as tourists and stay up to six months without a visa. To stay longer, an American must qualify for a visa. Family connections, established U.K. business connections, or dual citizenship with a Commonwealth country, like Canada, may help. However, owning property doesn’t guarantee a longer visa term. The British government does have a special entrance category for “retired persons of independent means.” This is defined as those having a minimum yearly disposable income of £25,000 (about $31,000) and several other requirements.