Country Guide
United Kingdom
Travel to United Kingdom safely and compliantly
Planning a workation in Manchester? Or a business trip to London? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in the United Kingdom, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
London
Telephone code
+44
Official language
English
Currency
British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Time zone
UTC+0, UTC+1
Tax compliance
United Kingdom has signed multiple bilateral tax treaties to prevent double taxation and encourage foreign investment, available here. Despite the existence of many tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in United Kingdom, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to United Kingdom are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage requirements here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
A few things to consider when traveling to the United Kingdom:
- A new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system has been introduced for entering the United Kingdom as of April 2, 2025, unless travellers already have another residence permit/visa. Read more about it here.
- For EU citizens, an important thing to remember when traveling to the UK is taking your passport, instead of an identity card. This also applies to transit passengers.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to the United Kingdom, here's a quick overview:
- ETA: required for citizens of 80+ countries and territories. See if you're eligible here
- Standard visitor visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for ETA
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to the United Kingdom:
- ETA: required for citizens of 80+ countries and territories, and usable for business trips covering certain activities. See if you're eligible here.
- Standard visitor visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for ETA. Covers certain types of business activities.
- Work visa: required for types of business activities not covered by ETA or Standard visitor visa.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in the United Kingdom work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 35-40 hours. The workday is typically running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 30-60 minutes in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- Good Friday (date varies)
- Easter Monday (date varies)
- Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)
- Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
- Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August)
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Boxing Day
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveller, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both the home country and the destination country. United Kingdom after the Brexit has transposed the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) into UK national law (thereby creating the UK GDP”). Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as heavy. That means the country enforces strict, comprehensive data protection laws with robust regulatory oversight. These laws cover all aspects of data privacy and impose severe penalties for non-compliance, either adopting or aligning closely with frameworks like the GDPR, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to United Kingdom for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travellers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travellers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travellers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
The United Kingdom has experienced several terrorist attacks in recent years, including incidents in Nottingham (2023), Liverpool (2021), and London (2020).
The government assesses the terrorist threat level on a scale from one to five, with the current level set at three ("Substantial"), indicating a moderate threat. This means that there will be increased vigilance and preventive measures across the country.
To ensure your safety, please keep the following in mind:
- Always stay alert, especially in busy public spaces and during special events.
- Pay attention to suspicious bags or behavior, particularly on public transportation.
- Follow the instructions of UK security forces and report anything unusual.
- Stay informed by checking global security advisories.
Crime
In the UK’s major cities, particularly in tourist areas and public transportation, petty crime such as pickpocketing is common, with occasional violent offenses. The risk of theft, such as mobile phones being snatched from pedestrians, has increased in larger cities.
Certain districts in large cities, may experience varying levels of crime and violence.
To help ensure your safety, please consider the following tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay informed through media reports.
- Keep your personal belongings secure, and if possible, store electronic copies or photos of important documents.
- Prefer cashless payments and carry only the necessary amount of cash for the day, avoiding unnecessary valuables.
- Stay especially vigilant in larger crowds, such as at airports, train stations, subways, and buses. Always keep an eye on your valuables.
- Avoid displaying valuables in your car and ensure it is always locked when unattended.
- Be cautious of unusual emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, and requests for help from supposed acquaintances. Verify credibility in person or contact the police if needed.
The United Kingdom has a temperate maritime climate characterized by mild temperatures and frequent rainfall:
Southern England
- Summer (June-August) temperatures: 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F)
- Winter (December-February) temperatures: 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F)
- Moderate rainfall throughout the year
Northern England and Scotland
- Summer temperatures: 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F)
- Winter temperatures: -2°C to 7°C (28°F to 45°F)
- Higher rainfall and snowfall in winter
Wales and Northern Ireland
- Similar to England but with higher rainfall
- Milder winters in coastal areas
- More variable conditions in mountainous regions
Airports
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Location: West London
- When to use: London's primary international gateway, ideal for travellers heading to London or connecting to other cities. Offers numerous flights across the world.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
- Location: South of London
- When to use: London's second busiest international airport, good alternative to Heathrow with many European and long-haul connections.
Manchester Airport (MAN)
- Location: Manchester
- When to use: Major hub for northern England, Scotland and Wales connections.
Train stations
The UK has an extensive rail network connecting major cities and towns across the country.
London King's Cross/St. Pancras
Main connections: Northern England, Scotland, and Eurostar services to Europe
London Euston
Main connections: West Midlands, Northwest England, North Wales, and Scotland
Manchester Piccadilly
Main connections: Services throughout northern England and Scotland
Edinburgh Waverley
Main connections: Services throughout Scotland and to major English cities
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- Bolt
- Free Now
- Local taxi services
Public transportation
- London: Underground (Tube), buses, Overground, DLR, tram
- Manchester: Metrolink tram, buses
- Edinburgh: Trams, buses
- Glasgow: Subway, buses
- Birmingham: Trams, buses
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