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Checklist for Moving to Scotland

There are some important things you should do when you’ve arrived in Scotland.   

There are also things you can do before your move. Use our before you move to Scotland checklist to guide you through the key steps required to complete your move.

Right to work documents

You normally need proof that you have the right to work in the UK before you start a job. 

Check our advice on finding a job for more information on getting your right to work documents. 

Opening a bank account in Scotland

To open a bank account, you usually fill in a form. You can do this online, in a bank, or over the phone. 

You will also have to prove who you are. 

Most banks will ask for two documents. The documents should prove your full name, date of birth and where you live. For example, you could show your passport and a recent bill.  

You’ll usually get a debit card with your bank account. You can use it to pay in shops or take money out of an ATM (cash machine).  

If you have debit or credit cards from another country, these might not work in shops and ATMs in Scotland. 

Learn more about getting a bank account (citizensadvice.org.uk)

Mobile phone and SIM card

UK mobile phones use the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard. If you’ve come from a country that also uses GSM mobiles, your phone should work in the UK. All you’ll need is a new SIM card. 

You can buy a UK SIM card online or in a mobile phone shop. There are different types of SIM card. 

Pay as you go (PAYG)

With PAYG, you pay for calls, texts, and data in advance without a contract.  

You top up with credit, and the amount is taken off as you use the phone. Once the credit runs out, you need to add more. 

SIM only deal  

You pay a monthly amount and get a certain number of calls, text and data. Your monthly payment only covers the SIM card. You need to buy a phone separately or you can use one you already have. 

Contract 

With a contract you commit to paying a fixed monthly fee for a set period. You normally get a new mobile phone and a certain number of calls, text and data.

Check the how to get a UK mobile phone or SIM card (uswitch.com)  

TV Licence

You need a TV licence to watch programmes on a: 

  • TV 
  • Computer  
  • Any other device such as a mobile phone or tablet  

You also need it to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer.  

If you're renting, you'll have to pay for the TV Licence yourself, unless your tenancy agreement states that the landlord covers this. You should still check that the landlord has paid it by contacting TV Licensing.    

Check when you need to have a TV licence (gov.uk)

Council tax and energy supply

If you live in Scotland, you pay council tax to your local council. This money pays for local services such as: 

  • Rubbish and recycling collection  
  • Local area maintenance 

You will usually have to pay council tax if: 

  • You're 18 or over   
  • You own or rent a home 

If you rent, check your rental agreement. This will tell you who needs to pay council tax.  

You need to register for council tax with your local council when you move. 

Learn more about council tax (mygov.scot)

Find your local council (mygov.scot)

Learn more about local government (gov.scot)

Energy supply 

If you’ve recently moved to a new home, contact your energy supplier.

Find your gas supplier (findmysupplier.energy) 

Find your electricity supplier (energynetworks.org) 

There are things you should do to make sure you don’t pay too much for your gas and electricity.  

Find out how to deal with your energy supply when moving home (citizensadvice.org.uk) 

Driving licence

You can use a full licence from a European Union (EU) country to drive in Great Britain. You can drive with it until it expires. 

If your licence is from outside the EU, you can usually drive in Great Britain (GB) for up to one year. 

After this, you’ll need to either exchange it for a GB licence or pass a driving test to keep driving. 

Great Britain is Scotland, England and Wales. 

Check if you can drive in Great Britain on a non-GB licence (gov.uk)

Driving laws and regulations  

You should read about our driving laws and regulations if you’re planning on driving in Scotland.  

Find information on driving (visitscotland.com) 

Healthcare

Scotland’s healthcare system is the National Health Service Scotland (NHS Scotland).  It’s publicly funded. 

Some NHS treatment is free, and everyone can get it. This includes treatment in a hospital Accident and Emergency department. Prescriptions for medications are also free. 

Other NHS services might be free. This depends on how long and why you’re in Scotland.   

In Scotland, family doctors are called General Practitioners or GPs. You need to register with a GP as soon as possible after you arrive in Scotland. You should also register with a dentist. 

Check our advice on healthcare in Scotland to find out how to do this. 

Social security benefits 

Social security benefits are payments from the government to help with living costs if you: 

  • Are on a low income 
  • Have a disability 

Whether you’re entitled to benefits depends on your immigration status. If you have temporary leave to enter or remain in the UK, you’re normally not allowed to claim certain benefits. 

However, there are some situations where you might be able to get benefits. 

Find out more on Citizens Advice Scotland's guide to checking if your immigration status lets you get benefits and help with housing (citizensadvice.org.uk)  

The UK Government manages some benefits for people who live in Scotland. A government department called the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pays the benefits. 

Find out more about benefits paid by the UK government (gov.uk) 

However, some benefits for people who live in Scotland are managed by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government pays those benefits through an organisation called Social Security Scotland.  

You may need to switch over to Social Security Scotland benefits if: 

  • You've moved from another part of the UK to Scotland 
  • You were already getting benefits before you moved 

Learn more about Scotland’s benefits system (mygov.scot) 

Register to vote

The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who's registered to vote. You need to be on it to vote in elections.  

There are different rules about who can register to vote depending on the type of election. 

The most common types of election in Scotland are:  

  • UK Parliament elections  
  • Scottish Parliament and council elections  

To vote for an election to the UK Parliament you must be either a:  

  • British citizen 
  • Qualifying Commonwealth citizen 
  • Citizen of the Republic of Ireland 

Find out about types of elections and who can vote (gov.uk) 

Foreign nationals living in Scotland can vote in Scottish Parliament and local elections. You can register to vote if:  

  • You're living in Scotland  
  • You have leave to enter or stay in the UK 

Learn more about registering to vote (mygov.scot) 

Need help or advice?

If you need help to move to or settle in Scotland, book a free advice appointment with an adviser from a Citizens Advice Bureau in Scotland.

How to book an appointment

The content on this page is provided by Citizens Advice Scotland.

Learn more about Citizens Advice Scotland.

Header image photo credit: VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale