A record number of workers left the United Kingdom in the 2025-26 tax year, reflecting a broader trend of residents seeking better quality of life abroad. According to an analysis of UK tax data by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young, approximately 69,300 taxpayers submitted P85 forms—notifications to HM Revenue and Customs indicating permanent departure from the UK—marking a 32% increase from the previous year’s total of around 52,000. The actual figure is likely higher, as not all departures are formally reported.
While significant attention has focused on the exit of wealthy individuals following recent changes to the UK tax regime, this wave of migration extends beyond fiscal considerations. The Conservative government ended the non-domiciled tax status in March 2024, shortly before the transition of power to the Labour Party. Concurrently, increases in Stamp Duty on rental properties, VAT on private school fees, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, and employers’ National Insurance contributions have collectively added financial pressures on households.
However, career coach Natasha Stanley, who has supported numerous clients through career transitions and relocations over more than a decade, indicated that she has yet to encounter anyone citing tax as their primary reason for leaving. Instead, Stanley pointed to lifestyle factors as the main drivers behind many decisions to move abroad.
“Lots of people are moving for lifestyle purposes and more sunshine,” Stanley said. She noted that some individuals relocate to join partners from other countries, while others are motivated by concerns about the declining state of public services in the UK, particularly the National Health Service (NHS). For many, escaping the country’s often dreary weather is a significant factor.
Popular destinations for these migrants include Spain and Switzerland. Spain recently topped an international quality-of-life index for expats for the fifth consecutive year. One in five expatriates there cited enhanced quality of life as their key reason for relocating, with 89 percent satisfied with the climate and 83 percent with healthcare services. Despite this, Spain ranked poorly as a country for work opportunities, indicating that employment prospects are not the main attraction.
Among wealthier individuals, the motivation to relocate also encompasses factors beyond taxation. According to Henley & Partners, a firm advising affluent clients on international relocation, safety, climate, and healthcare quality all play crucial roles. Their 2024 report noted the UK’s worsening healthcare system and growing safety concerns, particularly in London, as contributing factors in the migration of millionaires.
High-profile examples underscore this pattern. Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal recently left the UK after nearly 30 years, choosing Switzerland for its combination of favorable taxes, robust healthcare, and scenic environment. Other notable expatriates include hedge fund billionaire Alan Howard and Ipsen heiress Anne Beaufour, who have also made similar moves.
These trends suggest a multifaceted set of reasons behind the increasing number of UK residents and taxpayers relocating abroad, combining economic, social, and environmental considerations.