How Many Days can UK Expats Spend in the UK and Retain Non-Resident Status - Blog ProACT Partnership Expatriate Advice (2024)

You could be considered non resident to the UK from the day you leave the UK, but under common reporting standards you must have a tax residence elsewhere.

The 183 day tax rule

Expats can become non resident in the UK by living for 183 days or more in another country as a tax resident there. This is known as the 183 day tax rule.

Once you are considered a non resident for tax purposes in the UK, you can still visit the UK without losing your non-resident tax status.

If you are a tax resident in a low-tax country like Cyprus, Malta, Monaco or the Middle East, you will likely want to save up to 40% by remaining an Expat under the UK non resident tax rules.

Let’s look at how you may be affected.

How many days can I spend in the UK as a non resident?

There are thresholds and conditions that determine how many days you can spend in the UK as a non resident Expat. These conditions are subject to your ties to the UK and how you spend time in the UK.

For UK Expats already Non Resident and Living and Working Abroad :

46 Days - If you spend less than 46 days in the UK in any year, you will maintain your non resident status (provided you have not been classed as a UK resident for the previous 3 tax years. If you have had non resident status for less than this, you must spend less than 16 days in the UK).

90 Days - If you spend up to 90 days a year in the UK you must have 3 or less ties.

Non Resident Ties to the UK

To avoid ties to the UK you could:

  1. Work for less than 40 days in the UK in any tax year

  2. Own residential property (or any home) without spending more than 1 day a year staying in the property (if you spend more than one day a year in property you own in the UK, that is considered a tie for tax purposes)

  3. More than 90 days in the UK is a tie if you do so in any one of the current or previous 2 tax years

  4. Spend more time in one other country as tax resident than in the UK in any tax year

  5. Your family (spouse, partner and minor children) should live abroad with you, in the UK it is a tie (but not a burden)

You can spend more time in the UK - up to 182 days in any tax year and remain tax resident, as long as you don’t become tax resident in another country, by being resident for more than 183 days.

120 Days - to stay in the UK up to 120 days you must have 2 or less ties to the UK.

182 Days - to stay in the UK up to 182 days you must have 1 or less tie to the UK.

Avoid ties to the UK to remain non resident of worldwide UK tax on income.

Free and Non Resident

Expats who want to avoid liability to UK Tax under UK non resident tax rules must follow these regulations.Consider your ties to the UK.

ProACT Partnership offers a free review of your Expat circ*mstances (wherever you are in the world) and will guide you on retaining your non resident tax status.

Book a free online review or contact us with your questions.

How Many Days can UK Expats Spend in the UK and Retain Non-Resident Status - Blog ProACT Partnership Expatriate Advice (2024)

FAQs

How Many Days can UK Expats Spend in the UK and Retain Non-Resident Status - Blog ProACT Partnership Expatriate Advice? ›

46 Days - If you spend less than 46 days in the UK in any year, you will maintain your non resident status (provided you have not been classed as a UK resident for the previous 3 tax years. If you have had non resident status for less than this, you must spend less than 16 days in the UK).

What is the 183 day rule in the UK? ›

You can live abroad and still be a UK resident for tax, for example if you visit the UK for more than 183 days in a tax year. Pay tax on your income and profits from selling assets (such as shares) in the normal way. You usually have to pay tax on your income from outside the UK as well.

What is the 90 day rule for expats in the UK? ›

"The individual will have a 90 day tie for the tax year if they have spent more than 90 days in the UK in either or both of the previous 2 tax years immediately before the year under consideration". You advise that you spend more than 90 days in the UK in 2021 to 2022.

How many days do I need to be out of the UK to be tax free? ›

You're usually non-resident if either: you spent fewer than 16 days in the UK (or 46 days if you have not been a UK resident for the 3 previous tax years) you worked abroad full-time (averaging at least 35 hours a week), and spent fewer than 91 days in the UK, of which no more than 30 were spent working.

What counts as a day in the UK for tax purposes? ›

You are normally considered to have spent a particular day in the UK if you are in the UK at midnight at the end of that day. However, there are three exceptions to this rule: those with exceptional circ*mstances beyond their control which prevent them leaving the UK, those in transit, and.

How many days can a UK non resident stay in the UK? ›

46 Days - If you spend less than 46 days in the UK in any year, you will maintain your non resident status (provided you have not been classed as a UK resident for the previous 3 tax years. If you have had non resident status for less than this, you must spend less than 16 days in the UK).

How many days are you allowed to stay in the UK and still be non resident for tax? ›

There must be at least one period of 91 consecutive days – at least 30 of which fall within the tax year – during which they have a UK home where they spend a 'sufficient amount of time' (at least 30 days, in aggregate), and either have no overseas home, or spend no longer than a permitted amount of time (fewer than 30 ...

Am I still a UK resident if I live abroad? ›

But there are special rules for UK residents whose permanent home (domicile) is abroad. Whether you're UK resident usually depends on how many days you spend in the UK in the tax year (6 April to 5 April the following year). You're automatically resident if either: You spent 183 or more days in the UK in the tax year.

Does the 90 day rule reset after 180 days? ›

Upon reaching the maximum 90-day stay allowed within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area, you are required to depart the Schengen Area and stay outside for a continuous 90-day period before re-entry. The 90/180-day rule is rigorously enforced, and surpassing the allotted stay duration can result in repercussions.

What happens if I stay longer than 90 days in UK? ›

If your period of overstay exceeds the 90 day limit, you will more than likely face an exclusion on re-entering the UK for at least one year.

What is the 120 day tax rule UK? ›

The more days an individual spends in the United Kingdom, the fewer UK ties are needed for them to pass the sufficient ties test and be UK resident. This ranges from one tie if they spend more than 120 days in the United Kingdom to four ties if they spend fewer than 46 days in the United Kingdom.

Do I need to tell HMRC if I return to the UK? ›

Contact HMRC if your circ*mstances change when you're abroad - you move house or your marital status changes, for example. You'll need your National Insurance number. You also need to tell HMRC if you come back to live in the UK.

How to lose UK tax residency? ›

If you spend fewer than 16 days in the UK in a tax year than you will always be non-resident in the UK for that year. If you spend 183 days or more in the UK then you almost certainly will be resident in the UK for that year.

What is the 90 day rule for UK taxes? ›

90 day tie – the individual has been present in the UK for more than 90 days in either of the previous two tax years. Country tie – the individual is present in the UK at midnight in the tax year as much as (or more than) they are present in any other single country. This tie applies to 'leavers' only (see below).

How to count days out of the UK? ›

Count whole days (12:00 midday to 12:00 midnight)

For example, if the applicant was absent for 180 days during the 12-month period and started their journey back to the UK on day 180 but arrived on day 181, day 181 would not be a day of absence and the period would not exceed 180 days.

Do I have to pay UK tax if I live abroad? ›

You usually have to pay tax on your UK income even if you're not a UK resident. Income includes things like: pension. rental income.

What happens when you spend less than 183 days in the UK? ›

Are you resident in the UK? In summary, for any tax year, if you are present in the UK for 183 days or more, you are resident in the UK. Provided that you are in the UK for less than 183 days in a tax year and you meet one of the three automatic overseas tests, you will be considered not resident in the UK.

Does the 183-day rule apply to US citizens? ›

The United States has a 183-day rule as well, which may impact Taxpayers who are neither U.S. citizens (USC) of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

How to stop being an UK tax resident? ›

You can tell HMRC you're leaving through your Self Assessment tax return. Complete the 'resident' section (form SA109) and send it by post. You cannot use HMRC 's online services to tell them you're leaving the UK.

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