Mills & Reeve logo in purple text with a purple tagline: Achieve more. Together.

Existing clients

Log in to your client extranet for free matter information, know-how and documents.

Client extranet portal

Staff

Mills & Reeve system for employees.

Staff Login

The hidden legal risks of moving abroad

New study reveals nearly half of Brits have considered leaving the country long-term, but many are overlooking the family law implications of starting a life overseas
family illustration

For many Brits, the dream of moving abroad is becoming increasingly attractive. Whether it’s better weather, a lower cost of living or the opportunity for a fresh start, relocating overseas has become a serious ambition for many households.

But while much of the conversation around moving abroad focuses on visas, property purchases and tax planning, new research suggests many people are failing to consider one of the most important areas of all, international family law.

Here at Mills & Reeve, we commissioned new research in partnership with Censuswide to explore how many Brits are considering moving abroad, what is driving their decision and how prepared they are for the legal realities that can come with international relocation.

Britain’s growing desire to move overseas

According to the research, 47% of Brits have considered leaving the UK to live abroad long-term or permanently, with younger generations particularly likely to explore the idea.

Among 18 to 24-year-olds, 61% have considered relocating overseas, alongside 58% of 25 to 34-year-olds, 49% of 35 to 44-year-olds and 48% of 45 to 54-year-olds.

More than one in five Brits (21%) say they are likely to make the move within the next five years. When it comes to destination, Spain topped the list at 31%, followed by Australia at 19%.

Lifestyle is driving the trend

The biggest motivation for leaving the UK was the promise of better weather and lifestyle, cited by 52% of respondents. This was especially true among over 55 year olds, with 63% identifying lifestyle as their primary reason for considering relocation.

Other key reasons included:

Lower cost of living – 48%

Retirement lifestyle and benefits – 24%

Lower taxes – 19%

Political and economic dissatisfaction in the UK – 19%

Better work opportunities – 18%

For many, moving abroad is viewed as an exciting lifestyle upgrade. However, our findings suggest that the legal planning needed to support that move is often being overlooked.

  • Joanna Grandfield in a black jacket, in front of a grey background
    It's understandable that people focus on the lifestyle benefits of an international move, whether that’s affordability, a different pace of life or simply better weather. But relocating abroad is not simply a logistical or financial decision, it can also have significant legal implications for couples and families. We regularly advise clients who are surprised to learn how moving country can affect issues including parental rights, child arrangements, financial claims, divorce jurisdiction and the enforceability of existing family agreements. The earlier people seek specialist advice, the better placed they are to make informed decisions and avoid complications that can become much more difficult and costly to resolve once a move has taken place.
    Joanna Grandfield
    Partner

Brits are planning for visas, but overlooking family law

When asked what advice they would seek before moving abroad, respondents were most likely to prioritise:

Visa and residency rules – 51%

Local laws and regulations – 41%

Property ownership rules – 39%

Tax residency rules – 39%

These are all understandable concerns. Yet despite the life-changing nature of an international move, very few respondents recognised the importance of understanding how relocating could affect family law arrangements.

Just 6% said they would seek advice around child custody arrangements. Even fewer, 4%, would seek advice about how divorce laws differ internationally. This is particularly significant for families relocating with children, blended households or couples with pre-existing legal agreements in place.

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our family lawyers today.

The family law implications many people miss

Relocating abroad can have major consequences for family legal matters, many of which people only discover once problems arise.

Moving to another jurisdiction can affect:

Which country has legal authority in the event of a separation

How child custody arrangements are enforced internationally

Whether parental relocation requires consent from another parent

How prenuptial or postnuptial agreements are interpreted abroad

What happens if one parent wishes to return to the UK with children following a relationship breakdown

Without expert advice, families can find themselves navigating complex cross-border legal disputes involving multiple jurisdictions.

Uncertainty around inheritance and financial protections

The research also highlighted widespread uncertainty around the financial legal impact of moving abroad.

26% of respondents were unsure whether inheritance laws and wills could be affected by living overseas and 23% did not know whether moving abroad could impact pension access or taxation arrangements.

For internationally mobile families, these issues can become especially complex where assets, dependants or legal obligations span multiple countries.

Reviewing legal arrangements before relocating is essential to avoid future disputes or unintended consequences.

The risks of signing legal documents abroad without expert advice

Perhaps most concerningly, many respondents appeared willing to sign important legal agreements without fully understanding them.

24% said they would not be concerned about signing a prenuptial agreement in a foreign language without obtaining a translation, while 19% would be comfortable signing other legal documents without translating them first.

For couples relocating overseas, this can carry serious risks. Marriage contracts, financial agreements and parental arrangements can all be interpreted very differently depending on local law, potentially affecting rights in the event of separation or dispute.

The rise of internationally mobile families

The study found that 34% of respondents consider themselves digital nomads, highlighting how remote working is reshaping where and how people choose to live.  But increased mobility also means more families are crossing legal borders without fully understanding the implications.

What may feel like a straightforward move can quickly become legally complex if relationships change, family circumstances evolve or questions arise over jurisdiction.

  • Melissa Lesson in a black jacket and yellow top, in front of a grey background
    Many people understandably focus on the practicalities of an international move, such as securing visas, buying property or navigating tax requirements. What is often missed is that family law issues can become significantly more complex the moment more than one country is involved. We frequently see situations where families only become aware of jurisdictional complications after a relationship has broken down or when disagreements arise around children, finances or existing legal agreements. Taking advice before relocating allows families to properly assess the legal framework they are moving into, understand how their rights may change and put safeguards in place that can prevent stressful and costly disputes later on
    Melissa Lesson
    Partner

Why legal preparation matters before making the move

Moving abroad is about far more than securing a visa or buying property.

For couples and families, it can fundamentally affect legal rights and responsibilities, particularly where children, existing agreements or shared assets are involved.

Taking specialist advice before relocating can help families:

Understand international child relocation rules
Review prenuptial and financial agreements
Assess cross-border divorce implications
Ensure legal documents remain enforceable
Plan for future family law issues before they arise

Moving abroad with confidence

The appeal of overseas living is clear. But as our research shows, too many Brits are focusing on practical logistics while overlooking the family law considerations that could have the biggest long-term impact.

For anyone planning an international move, specialist legal advice is a vital part of preparation.

At Mills & Reeve, our international family law specialists help individuals and families navigate the legal complexities of relocating overseas, providing expert guidance on cross-border family matters before issues arise.

If you’re considering moving abroad and want to protect your family’s legal position, contact our international family law team below or complete our enquiry form.

Meet our team

Our blogs

Methodology

Mills & Reeve surveyed 2,000 adults in the UK. Data was collected between 22-24 April 2026 via Censuswide.

Related sectors & services