Starting a family is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things someone can do, as they find the love of their life and have the opportunity to bring new life into the world. Everyone’s ready for this huge step at different stages of their lives with there being a lot of freedom as to when you can choose to start a family of your own. Finding the perfect place to settle down can also be a huge factor in deciding when the time is right.
When moving to the UK as an expat to start a family, understanding parental leave and securing your family’s financial future requires proactive planning. You need to consider all aspects of life before you make the commitment to move to the country and take steps towards getting your family started. This guide will explore how you can successfully start a family in the UK if you aren’t originally from the country. Continue reading to learn more.
UK Expat Family Guide
Pregnancy and Postpartum Care
When starting a family, health services can be so valuable for the care and health of all your family members. You should navigate the National Health Service (NHS) to see if you’re eligible for free healthcare. It’s normally the case that you qualify for this if you are considered to be an ordinary resident in the UK, which is often confirmed if you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application. If you are not ordinarily resident or IHS-exempt, the NHS trust is legally required to charge you for non-emergency care provided after the birth
Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you can begin the registration process with a General Practitioner who will be your family’s primary healthcare professional in the UK. They can provide you with care during your pregnancy, while also supporting your postpartum health once you’ve given birth. You can be assigned a community midwife, who provides regular appointments, scans and blood tests, often collaborating with a consultant obstetrician.
Visa Requirements
Before you actually make the move to the UK, it’s important to understand the legal requirements with there being several types of visas that you can go for. If your partner already lives in the country and you wish to join them, you can choose to apply for a spouse visa UK that permits you to legally stay with them without any restrictions. This is perfect if you’re wanting to start a family with them in the near future.
If you’re not already married, there are other available options you can explore that will allow you to legally live in the UK. The Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa are both great options if you’ve received a job offer from a UK employer or have exceptional talent in a specific field.
Financial Planning
Raising a child in the UK is a significant financial commitment with estimates running from £160,000 to over £220,000 until they reach the age of 18. The UK offers statutory leave options, including Statutory Maternity Leave (SML) for up to 52 weeks and Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for 39 weeks, dependent on minimum continuous employment and earnings.
The government tops up payments to childcare providers by £2 for every £8 paid, up to £2,000 annually per child. This support is essential due to the high costs associated with childcare and family life in the UK.
Housing Options
Finding the perfect place to live is a huge factor when deciding to start a family in the UK. You should choose an area that has a good selection of schools for your child, while having good career opportunities for you and your spouse. Researching the local authority’s catchment area for well-rated schools is a priority for many expat families. Websites like Ofsted provide school inspection ratings, so you can look at these to find the best area for your child.
Consider the distance to your GP, local parks and family community groups to give you the best experience while living in the country. You also want a good mix of amenities nearby that help you to spend quality time with your kids, so choosing to live on the outskirts of cities like Manchester or London can be very beneficial.
Childcare Choices
Childcare is recognised as one of the most substantial costs for families in the UK, making early planning essential. Expats should note that bookings, particularly for popular Day Nurseries, often need to be secured well in advance due to high demand. An alternative option is a registered childminder, who cares for children in their own home, providing a potentially more personalised and family-like setting.
To help mitigate the expense, the UK government offers subsidies. Once your child turns three, they become entitled to 15 or 30 hours of free early education and childcare per week during term time.
Support Networks
You can start by attending maternity classes, which offer an excellent opportunity to meet local parents expecting children concurrently. Further integration can be achieved by joining local community activities like park meetups and parent-and-toddler groups.
Social media can be a good tool to use to find groups that offer tailored advice and social meetups that will be great for your family. This can help you get used to life in the UK and get good advice that can help the early stages of parenthood.