It’s not just billionaires fleeing Britain—fed up with grey skies, crumbling healthcare and the tax bill, a record 69,300 workers have left the U.K.

The departure of workers from the United Kingdom has reached a record high, with nearly 70,000 employees filing paperwork to leave permanently in the 2025/26 tax year, according to analysis by accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young. This is a 32% increase from the previous year. The reasons for leaving are not solely due to tax concerns.

While the tax bill, along with higher Stamp Duty on rental properties, VAT on private school fees, and rising Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, and employers' National Insurance contributions, have contributed to the exodus, many people are also leaving for lifestyle reasons.

Natasha Stanley, head of coaching at the careers site Careershifters, has assisted thousands of people in changing careers and starting afresh. She emphasizes that for tax reasons, she cannot think of a single client who has left the U.K. Instead, most people are drawn to the lifestyle opportunities offered by other countries. Some are motivated by better weather, while others want to be with partners from different nations.

However, the crumbling NHS in the U.K. has also played a role in the decision to move. Stanley mentions that Spain and Switzerland are popular destinations for professionals seeking improved national services and a change of pace.

The quality of life is a significant factor for many expats, as evidenced by Spain's top position in the InterNations’ Expat Insider Quality of Life Index for the fifth consecutive year. Around 89% of expats in Spain are satisfied with the climate, and 83% are pleased with the quality of healthcare. These factors are not limited to the wealthy, as Henley & Partners, which advises wealthy clients on relocation, cites safety, lifestyle, and healthcare as common reasons millionaires choose to move.

Despite the challenges facing the U.K.'s healthcare system and the increasing safety concerns in cities like London, many wealthy individuals, including steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, hedge fund billionaire Alan Howard, and Ipsen heiress Anne Beaufour, are also opting to leave the country for destinations like the Alps, where they can enjoy lower tax bills, smoother healthcare, and picturesque views.