The trend is being fuelled by a mix of political uncertainty in the United States and the relative attractiveness of the UK as a destination for high-net-worth individuals and professionals.
Robert Salter, a director at Blick Rothenberg, said the firm had seen a “clear uptick” in inquiries from US citizens and green card holders looking to relocate to Britain. “For some, the decision is personal,” he said, “with a number of clients citing unease over President Donald Trump’s policy trajectory. Others are moving for business reasons or to be closer to European markets.”
Traditionally, the UK has been a favoured location for Americans seeking international relocation. Estimates suggest that more than 300,000 US citizens live in the UK at any one time, with many choosing London as their base thanks to its strong international business ties, cultural familiarity, and established communities of expatriates.
Salter noted that while the closure of the UK’s long-standing non-domiciled tax regime in April 2025 might have been expected to dent the country’s appeal, the newly introduced Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime has offset that risk. “Despite initial fears, we’re seeing that the UK is actually becoming more attractive to certain US taxpayers,” he said.
Under the FIG rules, individuals who have not been UK tax residents for at least 10 years can benefit from a four-year grace period in which they are not taxed on non-UK investment income and capital gains. “This includes not only Americans,” Salter explained, “but also UK nationals returning after long periods abroad, such as those with US green cards.”
The renewed interest in the UK is being seen as an opportunity for the broader British economy. “If the UK can position itself as a stable, business-friendly environment for globally mobile individuals and wealth,” Salter said, “it reinforces its status as a leading hub for international finance and entrepreneurship. This aligns with the government’s ambition of keeping the UK ‘open for business’.”
He added that this influx of globally connected individuals could contribute positively to the UK’s economy—not just through direct investment, but also by strengthening the country’s international business networks, tax revenues, and demand for high-skilled professional services.
With relocations already underway, and more expected throughout 2025, the UK’s evolving tax regime and international positioning could mark a turning point in its efforts to attract affluent global talent—especially as the political and regulatory environment in the US becomes more unpredictable.
As Salter puts it: “The message we’re hearing from our clients is simple—right now, the UK feels like a good place to be.”
