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Choosing the right conveyancing firm can affect the cost, speed and overall experience of buying or selling a property. Before comparing quotes, check two things: whether the firm can act for your mortgage lender and exactly what its quoted price includes. Property transactions can take longer than many buyers expect. Government guidance published in 2026 states that, once an offer has been accepted, a transaction takes around 120 days on average to complete, while around one

Buying your first home involves more than finding the deposit. You also need to budget for legal work, searches, surveys, mortgage fees, Land Registry charges, moving costs and any Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) due. Halifax’s 2024 analysis found an average first-time buyer deposit of £61,090, an average purchase price of £311,034 and an average buyer age of 33. Work out what you can comfortably afford A lender’s maximum offer is not necessarily the amount you should borrow. Cons

A sponsor licence allows a UK organisation to sponsor eligible overseas workers who do not already have immigration permission allowing them to work in the role. From 8 April 2026, a Worker sponsor licence costs £611 for a small or charitable sponsor and £1,682 for a medium or large sponsor. Most applications are decided in less than eight weeks, while eligible applicants may pay £750 for priority consideration within 10 working days.For an introduction, see what a UK employe

A wayleave agreement gives a utility or telecommunications operator permission to install, retain, inspect or repair equipment on, over or beneath privately owned land. It may cover electricity cables, poles, broadband lines, pipes or related apparatus, usually in return for an annual or one-off payment. Its legal effect depends on the wording and statutory regime. Some voluntary electricity wayleaves are personal contractual permissions and may end following termination or a

Holding British citizenship alongside another nationality does not determine your UK tax bill. The UK mainly taxes individuals according to residence, income sources and asset location rather than the passport they hold. A second citizenship can still create overseas filing duties, affect travel documents and limit UK consular assistance in the country of that nationality. Our guide to the tax side of dual citizenship covers the wider position. UK tax follows residence, not c

No. Becoming a citizen of another country does not automatically end your British citizenship. The UK permits dual and multiple citizenship, so you can normally remain British while acquiring another nationality. The more important question is whether the other country allows dual nationality. Some countries require applicants to renounce an existing citizenship, while others may withdraw their nationality in certain circumstances. Check that country’s rules before applying.

The UK can deprive someone of British citizenship, but only under powers set out in law. The main grounds are that citizenship was obtained through fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact, or that deprivation is considered conducive to the public good. The rules on statelessness differ between those grounds. For wider context, see our guide on losing British citizenship. The legal power in plain terms The power is contained in section 40 of the British N

British dual citizens do not need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation, but they must show an accepted document when travelling to the UK. Since automated permission checks became enforceable on 25 February 2026, presenting only a foreign passport can lead to extra checks or denied boarding if the carrier cannot confirm your status. A valid British passport is usually the simplest option. Our guide to travelling with two passports explains the wider approach. What changed und

UK dual citizenship can provide permanent residence rights, unrestricted access to work and a British passport, while allowing you to retain another nationality where that country’s law permits it. However, the practical consequences can include overlapping tax obligations, succession rules, military duties and restrictions on consular assistance. Before applying, check both countries’ current rules. Our guide to who qualifies for UK dual citizenship explains the main eligibi

Dual citizenship can give UK nationals real advantages: 2 passports, family security, a stronger right to live in more than 1 country, and easier long-term planning. It can also bring tax reporting, consular limits, military service duties and extra administration that are easy to miss. The UK’s position is straightforward. Dual citizenship, also called dual nationality, is allowed in the UK. You can be a British citizen and also a citizen of another country. You do not apply