Moving from the UK
Leaving the UK for Israel: HMRC, pensions and your practical checklist
Put the official Aliyah final steps beside the practical UK departure jobs so tax, pensions, school, health and hand-luggage documents do not become last-week surprises.
Published and reviewed 1 September 2026
Free, independent information. Your current official case instructions control.
Approval is a milestone, but it also opens a second project: closing down or reshaping life in the UK. The most reliable approach is to keep two lanes—your final official Aliyah instructions and your UK departure list—and give each job an owner and a target date.
This guide is an organising tool, not tax, pension, legal or travel advice. Cross-border work, companies, trusts, investments and property can change the answer, so obtain advice for your actual facts before acting.
The useful short version
- GOV.UK says relevant offices dealing with tax, benefits and pensions need to be told when you move abroad.
- How you notify HMRC depends on whether you normally file Self Assessment and on your circumstances.
- Keep UK accounts, numbers and addresses only where the provider permits them after an overseas move.
- Check live FCDO travel advice and the specific final instructions issued for your Aliyah case.
HMRC and UK tax
GOV.UK says you must tell HMRC if you are leaving the UK to live abroad permanently, going to work abroad full-time for at least one full tax year, or are a foreign national leaving the UK. The notification route differs depending on whether you normally complete a Self Assessment return.
For people who do not usually file Self Assessment, GOV.UK directs users to form P85. People who do file are directed to the residence section of the return, including form SA109. UK residence and split-year treatment are fact-specific; leaving the country does not by itself settle every UK tax question.
- Record your departure date and intended living and working pattern.
- List UK income, property, investments, pensions, companies and ongoing work.
- Confirm the correct HMRC route for your filing position.
- Get UK–Israel cross-border advice before restructuring or selling assets.
Pensions, benefits and student loans
The GOV.UK moving-abroad hub says to contact the offices responsible for your benefits and pension, and the Student Loans Company where relevant. State Pension, workplace pensions and private schemes have different payment, tax and administration rules.
Use the official overseas State Pension guidance for claims and payment details. Ask each private provider what address, bank, identity and tax-residence information they require after the move.
Home, school, health and everyday services
- Council and housing: notify the council and deal with tenancy, sale, insurance, utilities, council tax and forwarding arrangements.
- Banks and money: confirm whether each provider supports an Israeli address and plan access to authentication before changing your UK mobile number.
- Schools: keep reports, support plans and useful records, and agree how farewells and the new-school handover will work.
- Health: request useful summaries, check medication supply lawfully with clinicians and retain travel cover until Israeli arrangements are active.
- Post and legal affairs: set forwarding, review wills or powers of attorney where relevant and keep adviser details accessible.
Your final hand-luggage folder
Follow the exact official pre-travel instructions issued for your case. Flight arrangements or assistance can depend on status and programme; do not assume a universally free flight.
Keep required originals, approval and travel information, essential prescriptions, accommodation details and key contacts accessible—not in checked luggage. Check live FCDO advice close to departure because conditions can change quickly.
Do not make travel decisions from an old screenshot or article. Re-open the live official advice and your latest case instructions.
Common questions
Clear answers, with the boundary intact.
Do I need to tell HMRC when moving to Israel?
GOV.UK says HMRC must be told in several moving-abroad circumstances, including leaving permanently or working abroad full-time for at least a full tax year. The method depends on whether you usually file Self Assessment and on your employment position.
Can my UK State Pension be paid in Israel?
GOV.UK publishes an overseas State Pension claim and payment route, including Israel-specific material. Check the current official guidance and your own eligibility rather than relying on a general summary.
Is an Aliyah flight always free?
No universal promise should be made. The Jewish Agency describes flight coordination for eligible olim; arrangements or assistance depend on status, programme and the instructions for the individual case.
Official sources
Open the live source before a high-stakes decision. Rules, services and safety information can change after this review date.
What happens next?