Settling into life in the UK means sorting a handful of practical tasks in your first weeks: registering with services, setting up your home, and getting your paperwork in order. This guide is a checklist for newcomers, walking you through what to do in roughly your first 30 days, with links to detailed guides for each step. None of this is legal advice, and rules can change, so we link to the official GOV.UK source for every task.
Your first 30 days: the short version
Most people arriving in the UK need to work through the same core list. You do not have to do everything at once, but the tasks below unlock the rest of daily life, so it helps to start early.
| Task | Why it matters | Rough timing |
|---|---|---|
| Get a National Insurance (NI) number | Needed to work and pay tax correctly | Week 1 to 2 |
| Open a UK bank account | Required for salary, rent, and bills | Week 1 to 2 |
| Register with a GP (doctor) | Free NHS healthcare access | Week 1 to 3 |
| Set up utilities, broadband and a SIM | Power, internet and a working phone number | Week 1 |
| Sort your driving licence | Legal driving beyond the first 12 months | Within 12 months |
| Register for Council Tax | Legal duty; avoids penalty charges | On move-in |
| Enrol children in school | Education is a right for every child | As soon as you arrive |
Money and paperwork first
Two tasks unlock almost everything else: your National Insurance number and a UK bank account. Employers, landlords and utility companies all expect them. Our UK money and banking guide for newcomers covers how to open an account with limited paperwork, how NI numbers work, and how UK tax codes affect your pay.
Register with the NHS
Healthcare is one of the first things to arrange, because registering with a GP is free and does not depend on your immigration status. You do not need proof of address or ID to register in most cases. See our NHS guide for newcomers for how to register, what is free, and what you pay for.
Set up your home
When you move into a property you inherit a “deemed contract” with the existing energy supplier, and you become responsible for Council Tax. Getting a mobile SIM and broadband can be harder without a UK credit history, so newcomers often start with pay-as-you-go options. Read the detailed steps in setting up utilities, broadband and a mobile phone.
Council Tax
Council Tax is a local charge that funds services like rubbish collection, policing and street maintenance. You usually have to pay it if you are 18 or over and you are the resident of a property. Registering promptly avoids backdated charges. Our Council Tax guide for newcomers explains bands, the single-person discount, and student exemptions.
Driving in the UK
You can usually drive in Great Britain on a valid licence from your home country for up to 12 months after you become resident. After that, whether you can simply exchange your licence or need to take a UK test depends on which country issued it. See how to exchange your foreign driving licence.
Children and school
Every child in the UK has the right to a state education regardless of immigration status, and state schools are free. You apply through your local council, and families arriving mid-year use the “in-year admissions” process. Our guide to enrolling your child in a UK school walks through applications and Child Benefit.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first when I arrive in the UK?
Prioritise a National Insurance number and a UK bank account, because work, housing and bills depend on them. Registering with a GP and sorting your phone and internet can happen in the same first week.
Do I need to tell anyone I have moved into a property?
Yes. You should contact the local council to register for Council Tax and give the energy supplier a meter reading. This makes sure charges start from the correct date and in your name.
Can I use my foreign driving licence in the UK?
Generally you can drive on a full, valid overseas licence for up to 12 months from becoming a resident. What happens after that depends on where the licence was issued.
Is my immigration status a barrier to school or GP registration?
No. State school places and GP registration are open to everyone in the UK, regardless of immigration status. Some benefits such as Child Benefit are restricted, but access to schools and a doctor is not.
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Always check the current rules on GOV.UK before acting.
