What to set up after you move

Right to work documents

You normally need proof that you have the right to work in the UK before you start a job.

Check our advice on finding a job for more information on getting your right to work documents.

Opening a bank account in Scotland

To open a bank account, you usually fill in a form. You can do this online, in a bank, or over the phone.

You will also have to prove who you are. This must include your full name, date of birth and where you live.

Most banks will ask for two documents. The documents should prove who you are and where you live. For example, you could show your passport and a recent bill.

You’ll usually get a debit card with your bank account. You can use it to pay in shops or take money out of an ATM (cash machine).

If you have debit or credit cards from another country, these might not work in shops and ATMs in Scotland.

Learn more about getting a bank account (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Mobile phone and SIM card

UK mobile phones use the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard. If you’ve come from a country that also uses GSM mobiles, your phone should work in the UK. All you’ll need is a new SIM card.

You can buy a UK SIM card online or in a mobile phone shop. There are different types of SIM card.

Pay as you go (PAYG)

With PAYG, you pay for calls, texts, and data in advance without a contract.

You top up with credit, and the amount is taken off as you use the phone. Once the credit runs out, you need to add more.

SIM only deal

You pay a monthly amount and get a certain number of calls, text and data. Your monthly payment only covers the SIM card. You need to buy a phone separately or you can use one you already have.

Contract

With a contract you commit to paying a fixed monthly fee for a set period. You normally get a new mobile phone and a certain number of calls, text and data.

Check the how to get a UK mobile phone or SIM card (uswitch.com)

TV Licence

You need a TV licence to watch programmes on a:

TV
Computer
Any other device such as a mobile phone or tablet

You also need it to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer.

If you're renting, you'll have to pay for the TV Licence yourself, unless your tenancy agreement states that the landlord covers this. You should still check that the landlord has paid it by contacting TV Licensing.   

Check when you need to have a TV licence (gov.uk)

Council tax and energy supply

If you live in Scotland, you pay council tax to your local council. This money pays for local services such as:

Rubbish and recycling collection
Local area maintenance

You will usually have to pay council tax if:

You're 18 or over
You own or rent a home

If you rent, check your rental agreement. This will tell you who needs to pay council tax.

You need to register for council tax with your local council when you move.

Learn more about council tax (mygov.scot)

Find your local council (mygov.scot)

Learn more about local government (gov.scot)

Energy supply

If you’ve recently moved to a new home, contact your energy supplier.

Find your gas supplier (findmysupplier.energy)

Find your electricity supplier (energynetworks.org)

There are things you should do to make sure you don’t pay too much for your gas and electricity.

Find out how to deal with your energy supply when moving home (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Driving licence

You can use a full licence from a European Union (EU) country to drive in Great Britain. You can drive with it until it expires.

If your licence is from outside the EU, you can usually drive in Great Britain (GB) for up to one year.

After this, you’ll need to either exchange it for a GB licence or pass a driving test to keep driving.

Great Britain is Scotland, England and Wales.

Check if you can drive in Great Britain on a non-GB licence (gov.uk)

Driving laws and regulations

You should read about our driving laws and regulations if you’re planning on driving in Scotland.

Find information on driving (visitscotland.com)

Healthcare

Scotland’s healthcare system is the National Health Service Scotland (NHS Scotland).  It’s publicly funded.

Some NHS treatment is free, and everyone can get it. This includes treatment in a hospital Accident and Emergency department. Prescriptions for medications are also free.

Other NHS services might be free. This depends on how long and why you’re in Scotland.  

Find more information on NHS charges for people from abroad (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Find out more about healthcare in Scotland.

Register with a general practitioner (GPs)

In Scotland, family doctors are called General Practitioners or GPs. They work in local medical practices, health centres or GP surgeries. You need to register with a GP as soon as possible after you arrive in Scotland.

Your GP looks after your general medical problems and minor illnesses. They work with community healthcare specialists like nurses. They can refer you to other specialists if necessary.

Find out about registering with a GP practice (nhsinform.scot)

Find your local medical centre (nhsinform.scot)

Sexual health and blood-borne viruses

You have the right to free:

Sexual and reproductive healthcare
Treatment for blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis

If you need support with the above, try to get help as soon as you can after arriving in Scotland.

Your immigration status doesn’t matter for this type of healthcare. All treatment is confidential.

You’ll need to visit a specialist clinic. Your GP (general practitioner) can arrange this for you. You can also book a sexual health appointment online (nhsinform.scot)

Having a blood-borne virus does not affect your immigration status. Services will not share this information with the Home Office.

Mental health

Find out more about mental health support in Scotland.

Register with a dentist

In Scotland, you can get dental treatment from the NHS. Your NHS dentist will provide advice, care and treatments to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy. NHS dental services cover a range of treatments, including check-ups, fillings, and more.

You can choose to receive dental treatment through our National Health Service (NHS) or a private dental centre in Scotland. However, private dental care is more expensive than the NHS.

Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free NHS dental examinations.

If you are over 26 years old, you will normally have to pay for any recommended dental treatment following your examination. However, you are entitled to free dental care if:

You are pregnant
Have had a baby in the last 12 months
You are under the age of 26
You are in receipt of certain benefits, or hold an income-based exemption from charge.

The dentist will advise you of any treatment you require and the likely cost. They must also provide an itemised account, if requested.

Find out more about dental treatment costs

Not all dentists provide NHS treatment. Some provide both private treatment and NHS. When you register with a dentist, check if they accept NHS patients.

It can be difficult to find a dentist that is accepting new NHS patients. This is because there is a high demand for NHS dentists. If you cannot find an NHS dentist to register with, you can register with a private dentist, however private dental care is more expensive than the NHS.

Dentists can set their own fees for private work. Make sure you understand the costs before you agree to treatment.

Make sure you and your family have access to dental care by registering with a dentist shortly after you arrive. You can get a list of local dentists who provide NHS treatments on NHS24 (nhs24.scot), by calling 08454 24 24 24 or 111.

Find your local dentist (nhsinform.scot)

Learn more about NHS dental treatment (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Social care is support given to you if you need help with daily tasks. Social care support in Scotland is arranged by your local council.

You might be entitled to social care if you’re elderly, disabled or have health issues. Social care includes services like:

Personal care
Help at home
Support for independent living

The council does a free assessment to decide whether you need social care support, and what your needs are.

Find out what social care services you could get (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Some children can also get support from the local council.

Find out about children who need local council services (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Social security benefits

Social security benefits are payments from the government to help with living costs if you:

Are on a low income
Have a disability

Whether you’re entitled to benefits depends on your immigration status. If you have temporary leave to enter or remain in the UK, you’re normally not allowed to claim certain benefits.

However, there are some situations where you might be able to get benefits.

Find out more on Citizens Advice Scotland's guide to checking if your immigration status lets you get benefits and help with housing (citizensadvice.org.uk)

The UK Government manages some benefits for people who live in Scotland. A government department called the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pays the benefits.

Find out more about benefits paid by the UK government (gov.uk)

However, some benefits for people who live in Scotland are managed by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government pays those benefits through an organisation called Social Security Scotland.

You may need to switch over to Social Security Scotland benefits if:

You've moved from another part of the UK to Scotland
You were already getting benefits before you moved

Learn more about Scotland’s benefits system (mygov.scot)

Register to vote

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who's registered to vote. You need to be on it to vote in elections.

There are different rules about who can register to vote depending on the type of election.

The most common types of election in Scotland are:

UK Parliament elections
Scottish Parliament and council elections

To vote for an election to the UK Parliament you must be either a:

British citizen
Qualifying Commonwealth citizen
Citizen of the Republic of Ireland

Find out about types of elections and who can vote (gov.uk)

Foreign nationals living in Scotland can vote in Scottish Parliament and local elections. You can register to vote if:

You're living in Scotland
You have leave to enter or stay in the UK

Learn more about registering to vote (mygov.scot)

The content on this page is provided by Citizens Advice Scotland.

Learn more about Citizens Advice Scotland.

Header image photo credit: VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale