When moving to the UK you should consider whether you’ll need to pay customs or if there are restrictions or quarantine for items you want to bring.

Cost is one of the biggest factors; you can find better rates for large items with only certain forms of transport, such as shipping your furniture or a car, while other relocation options are quick but become costly for heavy items, such as air freight.

A decision to make is whether to hire an international relocation company, depending your free time and the costs.

International moving companies typically take care of any potential issues, which is ideal for time-strapped expats but fees depend on the services you require.

More information on customs and regulations

The Pet Travel Scheme allows you to avoid quarantining when bringing your dog, cat, rabbit or rodent into the UK.

The conditions of this scheme include having to surgically implant a microchip in your pet and obtaining a ‘pet passport’ which details vaccinations and other necessary veterinary treatments. 

Pets travelling under this scheme must travel by specified sea, air and rail routes.

You will need to enquire in your country of residence for details about how to obtain a pet passport.

More information on bringing pets to the UK

The King’s NEST network supports parents and carers through events and an online community.

Our family friendly policies support flexible working and leave options for caring for dependents and maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.

If you are moving to the UK with family including young children, there are several childcare options.

King’s staff can apply for places at nurseries run by our NHS partners: St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

We have also identified a nursery provider close to our Waterloo campus for your consideration.

Find out if you are eligible for tax free child care.

Other childcare options

• Childminders: Self-employed carers who usually care for the child in their own home and who need to be registered with a regulatory authority.

• Children’s centres: Run by the local authority and offering services including childcare, early years education, healthcare and family support.

• Day nurseries: Varying in type (private, voluntary, local authority, workplace) and offering places for children aged up to five.

• Pre-school playgroups: Less formal than nurseries and offering only part-time care.

• Creches: These provide irregular temporary childcare that can be used on an ad-hoc basis.

• Nannies or au pairs: These are arranged privately and will need to be paid (and usually housed in the case of au pairs).

Childcare can be expensive, depending on the options you choose. The government provides up to 15 hours free childcare per week for 3–4 year olds in England.

The following websites provide information about children’s education and the English education system:

The Department for Education and Skills is responsible for education and children’s services.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) regulates and inspects services providing education for learners of all ages. Ofsted also inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.

Local councils provide a range of education and training related services for parents and young people. Each council has its own policies on school term dates, admissions and transfers.

Applying for school places