Public Sector

Guide for Nurses and Midwives new to the UK

Moving to a new country as a nurse or midwife may seem daunting as there are many challenges associated with moving to a place with a different culture and regulations. But with the right advice, it’s much more straightforward. Here are some things you need to know when you first move to the UK.

Accommodation in the UK

Finding good accommodation is the first step in your moving abroad experience. For Nurses and midwives new to the UK, you are usually provided with 2-3 months' free accommodation by the associated Trust. Once this free accommodation period ends, you may choose to stay by paying a monthly rent or find alternative accommodation. It is best to check with your employer to see if they have any housing options specifically for nurses and midwives.

Alternatively, several websites list properties available for rent or sale, such as Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom. The properties can be searched based on your requirements such as location, price etc. Local estate agents and newspapers as well as social media can also be helpful when searching for suitable accommodation either for rent or for sale.

Nurses and midwives can also consider the ‘First Homes scheme’ which allows first-time buyers to purchase a newly built home at a discount of 30% on the market price with preference given to certain professions like nurses and armed forces.

Managing Finances and the Cost of Living

Managing finances can seem like a challenging task, especially for someone who is new to the UK. Once offered a role, your employer will let you know your salary and benefits. To help you effectively manage your finances, you may need to set a budget. Allocate a specific amount for each of your expenses and ensure that your total expenses do not exceed your total income. There are apps that help you do this, like Chip or Plum.

Making Tax Payments in the UK

Income Tax and National Insurance is automatically deducted from monthly salaries, so you won’t need to do anything. However, you will need to apply for a National Insurance Number as soon as you’re able after arriving in the UK. You can still temporarily work without one, but your tax code may be incorrect. This will be corrected once you’ve provided your NI Number to your employer.

Bringing Family to the UK

Sponsorship for accommodation and visas varies from trust to trust. Some trusts do provide accommodation for family but might not cover visa costs for them. However, other trusts might not sponsor anything for the family members. Check with your employer before you start making plans.

Transportation Guide

The UK has an extensive public transport options including buses, trains, boats and trams. You will need to purchase a ticket or buy a travel card to use public transport. Depending on what city you’re in, you’ll need to check the particulars of how to use their transport system. The major cities all have their own card systems:

To get around, consider downloading Google Maps or Citymapper, which will both show you the best way to get from A to B.

Are you an employer looking to support Midwives and Nurses new to the UK? Send them this article – and perhaps a new Caxton Card? Caxton offers a simple way to pay new employees without delays and without having to use cash. Using our Expense Cards, you can safely and securely pay up to 1000 international employees at a time. Interested? Give us a call on 0333 123 1815.