Get Set Up in the UK

Arrive prepared. Live effortlessly.

The Expat Concierge curates trusted, expat-friendly services for cars, housing, insurance, banking and utilities — clear guidance for every stage of your move, even without a UK credit history.

The Expat Concierge

How we help

The Expat Concierge exists to make one thing simpler: moving to the United Kingdom. Whether you're arriving to work, study, retire or return, we connect you with vetted specialists across the services expats need most.

Every partner we work with is chosen for one reason — they take the time to explain the detail, so you're never caught out by the fine print.

It's well known among the expat community that support is hard to come by when relocating to the UK. That gap is exactly why The Expat Concierge was created.

"Expats consistently tell us they don't get the help and support they need when moving to the UK. So we built a service that gives it to them."

The Expat Concierge
Start Here

What do you need?

01

Cars

Leasing, subscriptions, rental & buying — without a UK credit history.

Discover
02

Housing

Renting, buying and relocation support across the UK.

Discover
03

Insurance

Car, home, life, health and travel cover, compared.

Discover
04

Banking

Accounts, credit building, transfers, mortgages & tax.

Discover
05

Utilities

Broadband, energy, mobile & streaming, set up with ease.

Discover
The Process

How it works

01

Choose What You Need

Tell us which part of the move you're focused on — a car, a home, cover, or getting your finances set up.

02

Compare Expat-Friendly Options

We point you toward specialist providers and trusted comparison partners built around expat circumstances.

03

Get Set Up Quickly

Click through, compare, and move forward with a provider that understands your situation — no guesswork.

01 — Cars

Mobility, without the credit history hurdle

Getting a car in the UK can be more difficult than expats expect. Without a UK credit history, leasing or purchasing outright isn't always as simple as it was back home — finance providers must follow strict affordability rules, regardless of income or savings. We work with specialists who focus on expat circumstances, across leasing, subscriptions, rental and buying.

Expat Car Leasing

Lower monthly costs and ideal for longer stays, though some providers may ask for home-country credit history.

Compare Leasing

Car Subscriptions

All-inclusive, flexible and expat-friendly — premium cars with no long-term commitment.

Compare Subscriptions

Long-Term Car Rental

The easiest way to get mobile fast — no credit checks, ideal for your first month in the UK.

Compare Rental

Buying a Car

The best long-term value, though more complex for new arrivals — factor in insurance and road tax.

Learn More

Car Insurance

Expat-friendly car cover, simple to set up, with monthly or annual payment options.

Compare Cover

Breakdown Assistance

24-hour UK and European breakdown cover, available on an annual or monthly basis.

Get Quotes
02 — Housing

Finding a place to call home

Housing is often the most important — and most challenging — part of relocating to the UK. Rental agreements, deposits, property searches and legal processes can look very different from what you're used to. Most expats begin by renting to get settled, then explore buying once they've established themselves and understand the market.

Renting a Property

Ideal for new arrivals — more flexible, with lower upfront costs than buying.

Explore Renting

Buying a House

Better suited to long-term stays, offering full ownership in exchange for higher upfront investment.

Explore Buying

Relocation Services

Specialist support for expats and returning citizens managing a full move to the UK.

View Relocation Help
03 — Insurance

Why cover matters in the UK

Insurance plays an important role in everyday UK life — some cover is legally required, while other policies provide financial protection and peace of mind. As an expat, understanding what you need can be difficult: no UK insurance history, higher premiums, and overseas driving licences can all complicate the process. Comparing multiple providers is the best way through it.

Car Insurance

Required by law if you plan to drive in the UK.

Compare Cover

Home Insurance

Protect your property and belongings against damage, theft and the unexpected.

Compare Cover

Life Insurance

Financial protection for your family and dependants, wherever you settle.

Compare Cover

Health Insurance

Private healthcare and medical cover for individuals and families.

Compare Cover

Travel Insurance

Protection for travel, medical emergencies and unexpected disruption.

Compare Cover

Breakdown Assistance

24-hour UK and European breakdown cover, on an annual or monthly plan.

Get Quotes
04 — Money & Banking

Navigating a new financial system

Moving to the UK usually means navigating an entirely new financial system. From opening a bank account and building credit history to arranging mortgages and international transfers — understanding how it all works makes settling in far easier. Our advice: open an account early, keep proof of address documents, and build credit history from day one.

Bank Accounts

How to open a UK bank account, and the documents you're likely to need.

Explore Accounts

Credit Scoring

How UK credit scores work, and how to start building financial history.

Build Credit

International Transfers

Move money internationally and understand exchange rates and transfer options.

Compare Transfers

Loans & Financing

Understanding borrowing, finance agreements and lending options in the UK.

Explore Finance

Mortgages

UK mortgage options for expats, and what's involved in buying property.

Explore Mortgages

Tax for Expats

UK tax basics and the obligations most overseas residents should know about.

Understand Tax
05 — Utilities & Bills

Getting connected, without the friction

Once you've found a place to live, you'll usually need to arrange broadband, energy, mobile and streaming services yourself. Some rentals include certain utilities; most don't. No UK credit history or previous address can make eligibility trickier, so comparing providers before you commit is well worth the time.

Broadband

Fibre and mobile connectivity services for expats and returning residents.

Compare Broadband

Electricity & Gas

Understand UK energy suppliers, tariffs and smart meters.

Compare Energy

Mobile Phone Services

SIM-only plans, contracts and international-friendly providers.

Compare Mobile

Streaming Services

The most popular TV and music streaming platforms available in the UK.

Explore Streaming
Trusted Partners

Compare with confidence

Don't settle for the first quote. From specialist expat providers to independent comparison sites, here's exactly where we send you to compare.

Cars & Mobility

Cocoon Vehicles cocoonvehicles.co.uk

Specialists in expat car leasing, subscriptions and corporate monthly rental since 2007 — built for customers with limited UK credit history.

Visit Cocoon Vehicles
Flexigo Cars flexigocars.uk

Flexible, subscription-based motoring with simple monthly pricing — no long-term finance agreement required.

Visit Flexigo Cars
Car Leases for Expats car-leases-for-expats.co.uk

A platform dedicated specifically to expat vehicle leasing, with long-term and short-term options UK-wide.

Visit Car Leases for Expats

Relocation & Housing

Relocate Relocate relocate-relocate.com

End-to-end relocation support — property search, schooling assistance and settling-in services for professionals and families.

Visit Relocate Relocate
Citrus Relocation citrusrelocation.com

Destination services, property search and relocation support for those settling into the UK.

Visit Citrus Relocation

Insurance & Comparison Sites

Einsure einsure.uk

An excellent place to start — car, contents, buildings, travel and life insurance quotes, all in one place.

Visit Einsure *
Compare the Market comparethemarket.com

One of the UK's best-known comparison brands — competitive pricing plus additional customer perks.

Visit Compare the Market *
MoneySuperMarket moneysupermarket.com

One of the UK's largest comparison sites — car, home, life and travel cover, plus utilities and finance.

Visit MoneySuperMarket *
Go.Compare gocompare.com

Easy-to-navigate quote requests across car, home, life and travel — with regular customer perks.

Visit Go.Compare *

Banking & Utilities — Further Guidance

Dedicated comparison partners for these categories are joining our network soon. In the meantime, our friends at The Expat Marketplace publish detailed, expat-specific guidance on each of these:

* Some links on this page are affiliate or referral links, meaning The Expat Concierge may receive compensation if you purchase products or services through them, at no extra cost to you. Links marked to The Expat Marketplace point to independent guidance published by a fellow expat resource, not a paid partnership. Information is provided for general guidance only — pricing, availability and eligibility vary by provider, location and personal circumstances.

Guides & Advice

The journal

Cars & Mobility
Cars

Why Chinese Car Brands Are Winning Over UK Expats

New-to-market manufacturers are offering flexible finance and expat-friendly terms that established brands often can't match.

Relocation
Relocation

What New Arrivals Can Learn From Seasoned Expats

The small preparations — proof of address, references, credit history — that make the first three months dramatically easier.

Money & Banking
Banking

Building UK Credit History From Scratch

A practical order of operations: bank account, proof of address, mobile contract, then credit-building products.

Questions

Frequently asked

Yes, although you may need to provide references, proof of income and a deposit — typically four to five weeks' rent — before a tenancy is agreed.

Yes, there are generally no restrictions on expats buying UK property, though mortgage eligibility and deposit requirements can differ from those for UK residents.

Yes — some providers specialise in expat-friendly cover, and comparison sites make it easy to check multiple options quickly.

Yes, although additional documentation — such as proof of address and identification — is usually required, and requirements vary by provider.

Generally, yes, if you're classed as a UK tax resident. Obligations depend on residency status and income sources, so specialist advice is recommended.

No. The Expat Concierge is an information and referral resource — services featured are provided by carefully selected third-party partners, and some links may be affiliate or referral links.

Stay Informed

Built for expats

Independent comparisons and clear guidance — sign up for occasional updates on getting set up in the UK.

Thank you — you're on the list.