Moving to the Isle of Man from The UK

Almost halfway between the west coast of England and the east coast of Northern Ireland lies the Isle of Man, a small island community located in the Irish Sea. Although it’s not too far from mainland United Kingdom, moving to the island may require jumping through a few logistical hoops.

If you are considering making the move from the United Kingdom to the Isle of Man, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Isle of Man Facts:

Population: 84,519 (2022 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto)
GDP Per Capita: $89,706 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: The Isle of Man has been inhabited since 6500 BC!
Currency: Pound sterling, as well as the Manx pound (£). As of 2024, £1 = $1.30, €1 = £1.19, $1 CAD = $1.78, $1 AUD = $1.93

Sections

1. Moving Costs to The Isle of Man from the UK

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest cities in the UK and around the world and shipping it to the Isle of Man:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Birmingham	£850 - £950	£1,500 - £1,600
Bristol	£900 - £1,000	£1,600 - £1,700
Glasgow	£950 - £1,050	£1,700 - £1,800
Leeds	£930 - £1,030	£1,650 - £1,750
Liverpool	£920 - £1,020	£1,630 - £1,730
London	£1,050 - £1,150	£1,800 - £1,900
Manchester	£910 - £1,010	£1,620 - £1,720
Newcastle	£890 - £990	£1,580 - £1,680
Sheffield	£880 - £980	£1,560 - £1,660
Southampton	£870 - £970	£1,540 - £1,640

All figures are in GBP;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (July 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to the Isle of Man from the United Kingdom?

It’s a relatively short trip to the Isle of Man from the United Kingdom – but some flights only run a few times per week, so it’s important that you plan your schedule accordingly to ensure you have a smooth experience. Let’s take a look at some of the main airports and their associated flight times:

London Heathrow to Isle of Man – 1 hour, 25 minutes – £225
London Gatwick to Isle of Man – 1 hour, 20 minutes – £50
Luton to Isle of Man – 1 hour, 25 minutes – £150
Edinburgh to Isle of Man – >1 hour (four direct flights per week) – £215

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to the Isle of Man from the UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will usually incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements – but in the case of the Isle of Man and the UK, there are no such immigration barriers – you may, however, require a work permit.

There is a Social Security Agreement between the Isle of Man and the UK which means that any National Insurance (NI) contributions paid in the UK will go towards your benefits on the island, and vice versa. This means that you will be working towards any incapacity benefit, jobseeker’s allowance or bereavement support if and when required.

In the case of state pensions, only the NI paid in one country will count towards your entitlement in that region – so anything paid in the Isle of Man will go towards that state pension, and anything in the UK will go towards that region’s state pension.

You must register with the Income Tax Division of the Isle of Man Treasury when you arrive on the island to have the proper paperwork in place for any income tax owed on the island.

4. Visa Requirements to the Isle of Man from the UK

Individuals who have a visa for the UK or the Channel Islands can travel freely around the Common Travel Area without a specific Isle of Man visa, Gov.im states.

If you are at all unsure about your status, speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances, and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in the Isle of Man

While this article is covering the Isle of Man as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in the Isle of Man is 31% lower than that of the United Kingdom, with rent being around 60.9% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in the Isle of Man:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: £855+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £700+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: £1,400+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: £1,200+

Isle of Man Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: £1,500+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: £1,475+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in the Isle of Man

There is an income and capital tax treaty between the Isle of Man and the UK which was entered into force in December 2018, which replaces the outdated tax agreement between the residencies as agreed in 1955.

This treaty covers income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax. This means that certain capital gains may be taxed by both territories, including gains from immovable property.

There is no inheritance tax in the Isle of Man.

The credit method is applied for the elimination of double taxation between the Isle of Man and the UK, but certain exemptions may apply if conditions are met – you can read more about this at Gov.uk.

7. Working Rules in the Isle of Man

You will need to show your passport, photo identification and supporting documents (such as marriage documents where applicable and birth certificates) to prove your identity before obtaining employment in the Isle of Man.

You will need a work permit to work legally on the Isle of Man, unless you fall into the following categories, as outlined by iomguide.com:

You were born on the Isle of Man
You have lived in the Isle of Man for 10+ consecutive years
You are married to an Isle of Man worker
You have lived on the Isle of Man for 5+ consecutive years and have not lived elsewhere more than once in the following 15 years

Those who are the spouse or civil partner of a work permit holder or an exempt person will be entitled to an automatic permit, as well as any cohabiting partners of an Isle of Man worker.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition, if required. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in the Isle of Man

According to Gov.uk, the Isle of Man has an existing reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK that allows a waiver on ‘necessary healthcare’. This means that the Isle of Man government will pay for pre-authorised referrals to the UK where necessary.

Manx Care is the Isle of Man’s health provider, which is similar in principle to the NHS. If you need healthcare while on the island, your clinician will advise whether or not your care can wait until you return to the UK, or if it needs to be carried out on the island – if the latter is the case, it will be carried out free-of-charge, aside from prescription charges.

It’s important to still have medical insurance when visiting a new country to cover you in all instances.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in the Isle of Man

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to the Isle of Man with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

Most dogs and cats travelling from the UK into the Isle of Man can move freely without export certificates – but certain dog breeds are prohibited from being transported – which include XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier types, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero, according to gov.im.

The travel is made simple via the Isle of Man ferry service. For animals outside of the UK travelling into the Isle of Man, different guidelines will apply, including a Pet Passport.

10. Similar Cities

When looking for places similar to the Isle of Man, you can draw comparisons between Jersey and Guernsey as they are both islands surrounding the UK. While they are not entities of the UK, they are closely associated with a constitutional relationship.

All three areas have small populations, with distinct local cultures. They have scenic landscapes and shores owing to their island formation.

Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey all have their own governments and legal systems, but they all rely on the UK for matters of defence and international representation. They are all good spots to live for those wanting a taste of British culture with the unique individuality of island life.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to the Isle of Man from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to the Isle of Man, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to the Isle of Man	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to the Isle of Man
Favourable Tax Environment: The Isle of Man is known for its tax-friendly policies, including lower income tax rates and no capital gains tax, which can result in potential financial benefits for residents	Smaller Job Market: The job market in the Isle of Man may be more limited compared to larger cities in the UK, potentially leading to fewer career opportunities, especially in certain industries
Quality of Life: The Isle of Man offers a high quality of life with scenic landscapes, outdoor activities, and a generally relaxed lifestyle, providing a contrast to the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas	Relatively Higher Living Costs: The cost of living in the Isle of Man, particularly in terms of housing and daily expenses, may be higher than in some parts of the UK
Close-Knit Community: The island has a close-knit community, providing a sense of belonging and support	Limited Educational Options: While there are educational facilities, the options for higher education may be more limited compared to larger cities in the UK
No Inheritance Tax: The Isle of Man does not have inheritance tax	Geographical Limitation: The Isle of Man is a small island, which may lead to a sense of geographical limitation, especially for those accustomed to the larger landmass of the UK

Whatever you decide, it’s important that you understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to check Gov.im for all the information you need.