For many British workers, the idea of moving overseas is about more than just finding a new job. A better climate, a different pace of life, lower living costs, being closer to family, or simply wanting to be in your favourite place in the world can all play a part.
And this isn’t new: an estimated 246,000 British nationals left the UK to live abroad for at least 12 months in 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. So where could British workers be heading next?
Looking ahead to 2027, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, and Australia stand out as four countries that could be particularly attractive to those looking to relocate. These countries offer very different lifestyles and work environments, but all have something to offer people looking to build a life and career overseas. Here we look at each of the countries in a little more detail…
Portugal: lifestyle with career opportunities
Portugal has many of the ingredients that have made it popular with British people looking to move abroad: warmer weather, coastal living, a relaxed lifestyle and well-established international communities.
For workers, however, the attraction goes beyond the lifestyle. English is widely spoken, particularly in business and areas with large international populations, which can make the transition easier for those who do not speak Portuguese.
Portugal has also become increasingly attractive as a location for international business. More than 120 foreign companies have established digital-sector operations in the country over the past decade, creating opportunities for professionals in a range of fields.
For someone who wants sunshine and a change of pace without completely stepping away from their career, Portugal offers an appealing combination.
Ireland: an international move without the upheaval
Moving abroad does not necessarily mean moving thousands of miles away.
For British workers who want to experience living in another country while remaining relatively close to home, Ireland is an obvious option. There is no language barrier, travel between the two countries is straightforward, and the UK and Ireland have long-standing economic and cultural ties.
Crucially, the Common Travel Area means British citizens can live and work in Ireland without needing a visa, residence permit, or employment permit.
That makes Ireland one of the simplest international relocation options available to British workers. It offers the experience of building a life abroad without many of the immigration hurdles associated with moving elsewhere.
For people who are hesitant about making a major international move, that combination of familiarity and opportunity could make Ireland particularly attractive in 2027.
Spain: sunshine, lifestyle and an established British community
Spain has long been one of the most popular destinations for Britons moving overseas, and there is little to suggest that its appeal is disappearing.
Warmer weather, outdoor living and a different pace of life remain major attractions. There is also the reassurance of an established British community. At the start of 2025, there were 281,584 UK-born residents recorded in Spain.
For some workers, Spain also offers a route to continuing an existing career rather than starting again. Eligible remote workers can use the country’s international remote worker route, potentially allowing them to continue working for an overseas employer while living in Spain.
Language is likely to be a bigger consideration than it is in Ireland or Australia. For some people, that will be a barrier. For others, learning Spanish will be part of the appeal and an important part of becoming genuinely immersed in their new home.
Spain’s combination of established communities, lifestyle and increasing opportunities for international workers means it is likely to remain firmly on the radar for British movers in 2027.
Australia: a bigger move, but a familiar one
Australia represents a much more significant lifestyle change than moving to Ireland or continental Europe, but it has one major advantage for British workers: familiarity. With English as the main language and a large established British community, the two countries dovetail beautifully. And the scale of the connection is reflected in the country’s population. England is Australia’s second-largest overseas birthplace, with 970,950 England-born residents recorded in June 2025.
Workwise, there are opportunities for skilled professionals, although moving to Australia requires more planning than some of the other destinations on this list.
Skilled migration is points-based, with eligibility influenced by factors including occupation, qualifications, experience and age. Another option for many British workers is employer sponsorship through routes such as the Skills in Demand or Employer Nomination Scheme visas. These generally depend on having a suitable job offer and meeting minimum salary requirements rather than achieving a points score.
For those who are prepared to take on the additional planning involved, Australia can offer the prospect of a substantial lifestyle change while still providing the familiarity of an English-speaking environment.
Weighing up your priorities
The growing interest in working overseas reflects a broader change in the way people think about their careers.
For some, the focus will be driven by sunshine and lifestyle. For others, it will be access to better career opportunities, a lower cost of living or the chance to experience a completely different culture. Increasingly, however, these decisions are being made with both lifestyle and employment in mind.
That means the most attractive destinations are likely to be those where people can realistically build a career as well as a life.
Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Australia all offer something different. Portugal combines lifestyle appeal with a growing international business presence. Ireland provides an unusually straightforward route for British workers wanting to live abroad. Spain continues to offer the combination of climate, community and remote-working opportunities. Australia provides a bigger adventure, alongside opportunities for skilled professionals.
For anyone considering an international move in 2027, the planning needs to start well before booking a flight.
The dream destination is one thing, but finding out whether you can actually live and work there is another.
For more information on European destinations, please visit https://agilityeor.com/countries/europe, and for those in Oceania, see https://agilityeor.com/countries/oceania.
