Moving back to Northern Ireland from abroad

From enrolling your children into schools to sorting out your tax situation, here are some of the things you should think about when preparing to move back to Northern Ireland from abroad.

Tax, benefits, pensions and National Insurance

tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when you will be coming back and find out about your tax liability on returning to the UK
check with the country you are living in about any tax you may owe before you leave
for National Insurance contributions, contact National Insurance: general enquiries
get in touch with your local Social Security / Jobs and benefits office, about your pension and benefits giving them details of your return move and your contact details abroad and in the UK

Find out how to tell HM Revenue and Customs about a change of income or circumstance.

Tell HMRC about a change to your personal details

Health

register with a GP and a dentist in Northern Ireland
Find a GP practice
contact any private medical insurance and travel insurance companies with which you have policies
tell your GP, dentist and other health practitioners in the country you are leaving, and see if your records can be sent to your new health professionals in Northern Ireland

Your home

arrange to sell your property or end its lease and sort out removals
contact Land and Property Services and the Electoral Commission as they will need to know when you will be returning to Northern Ireland and your Northern Ireland address
tell your utility companies abroad that you are moving and give them a forwarding address, so they can send you final bills and information on any payments you owe or refunds - you will also need to set up accounts for utility services once you have found a property in Northern Ireland
tell your bank, building society or any financial institution with whom you have a policy or agreement that you are moving
have your mail forwarded

Your children

tell the school authorities that you are leaving the country
before returning to Northern Ireland, contact the relevant education authority office about school places
Education Authority

Driving

Exchanging your foreign driving licence

Looking for a job

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For queries about:

Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
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contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

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