How Much Does It Cost to Move to Bermuda from the UK? A Sourced Breakdown
This guide is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Some links may be affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Our cost of living guide covers what Bermuda costs each month. This guide covers the one-off cost of getting there. We only give figures we can source. Where a cost depends entirely on your circumstances, such as a shipping quote, we tell you how to price it rather than guessing.
Bermuda prices are in Bermuda dollars (BMD), pegged 1:1 to the US dollar since 1972 (BMA). UK costs are in pounds.
1. Immigration and documents
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit | Usually paid by your employer | The employer applies (gov.bm). Check your offer letter |
| Permission to Reside application | See gov.bm fee schedule | Residence Permit Application |
| ACRO police certificate | Shown when you apply | acro.police.uk |
| Immigration medical | Private clinic fee | Ask for a quote that includes any tests on the form |
| Certified and notarised copies | Solicitor or notary fees | Clarien Bank asks for documents from outside Bermuda to be notarised (Clarien checklist) |
| Replacement birth or marriage certificates | GRO fees | gov.uk |
Details: police and medical certificates.
2. Getting there
- Flights: BA flies direct from Heathrow (flightsfrom.com). Fares change constantly, so compare dates on BA or a fare search such as Aviasales (affiliate link).
- Excess baggage: airline fees vary. It’s often cheaper than air freight for the first few weeks’ essentials.
- Travel insurance for the trip over: if your Bermuda health cover doesn’t start the day you arrive, short-term travel insurance can fill the gap. That’s travel insurance only, not resident health cover.
3. Shipping and customs duty
Shipping: door-to-door quotes depend on volume, route and season. Get at least three, through a mover comparison service or directly. See shipping to Bermuda.
Customs duty is the cost people most often forget:
- the standard rate is 25% of the value of goods above your allowances (Customs Declaration),
- used household goods over six months old can come in with duty relief if you have permission to live in Bermuda and a Transfer of Residence Certificate, which is free from Customs at the airport (gov.bm).
Example: £3,000 of new kitchen kit bought just before the move may not qualify for relief. At 25% that’s about £750 in duty, before any freight-related charges. Buying locally, or shipping older items, can save a lot.
Don’t ship UK electricals by default. Bermuda uses 120V/60Hz with US-style plugs (Wikipedia).
4. Somewhere to live
| Item | Typical figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First month’s rent, 1-bed outside centre | ~$2,662 | Numbeo (crowd-sourced) |
| First month’s rent, 1-bed city centre | ~$3,868 | Numbeo |
| First month’s rent, 3-bed outside centre | ~$7,564 | Numbeo |
| Deposit | Ask the landlord or agent | Varies by lease |
| Temporary accommodation while you search | Hotel or short-let rates | Compare in advance |
Renting is the realistic route for most newcomers. Non-Bermudians face minimum Annual Rental Value thresholds and licence charges to buy (JBM Realty). See renting in Bermuda.
5. Setting up
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bank account opening deposit | BM$100 (Butterfield, HSBC) | Butterfield, HSBC |
| Tourist eSIM for the first days | $5–$50 | onecomm.bm |
| First month’s mobile plan | $73–$193 | paradisemobile.bm |
| Home fibre broadband | $130/month (500 Mbps) | onecomm.bm |
| Driving: theory test | Free | tcd.bm |
| Driving: road test | $75 | tcd.bm |
| Taxis until you’re mobile | ~$6.50 start + ~$4.81/mile | Numbeo (crowd-sourced) |
You can’t swap a UK licence for a Bermuda one, so budget time as well as money for the TCD tests (tcd.bm). Buying a vehicle is a separate big cost. Numbeo contributors put a new compact car at about $37,500.
6. Money transfer costs
Converting your savings costs money. On the day we checked, Wise listed about £37 in fees for sending £1,000 GBP→BMD (wise.com). Compare the amount received across providers, and test a GBP→USD route. See sending money from the UK.
7. Children
Private school fees are often due in a lump sum before term: $27,820 at Saltus or $24,267 at Warwick Academy for 2026–27 (saltus.bm, warwick.bm). See schools.
Putting it together: a worked example
A single professional on a work permit, renting a one-bed outside Hamilton, shipping a few boxes:
- First month’s rent: ~$2,662, plus a deposit (assume one month, ~$2,662, but check your lease)
- Two weeks of temporary accommodation: hotel rate × 14
- Bank deposit $100 + eSIM $20 + phone plan $103 + broadband $130 + road test $75
- Living costs for the first month: ~$2,068 (Numbeo single-person estimate excluding rent)
- Subtotal ≈ $7,800 before flights, temporary accommodation, shipping and documents
Then add flights, shipping quotes and document fees from sections 1–3. A family with school fees could need several times that.
How to reduce the bill
- Negotiate relocation support (flights, shipping, temporary housing) into your job offer.
- Ship less. Use duty relief for older goods, and don’t buy new items just before you go.
- Use the free Transfer of Residence Certificate (gov.bm).
- Convert currency cheaply and in planned stages.
- Start with a smaller rental and upgrade once you know the island.
Related: moving checklist · moving from the UK: complete guide · payroll tax and pensions
Sources checked 12 October 2026.
FAQ
How much does it cost to move to Bermuda from the UK?
Our worked example for a single professional renting a one-bed outside Hamilton comes to roughly $7,800 before flights, temporary accommodation, shipping and documents. A family with school fees could need several times that.
Who pays for a Bermuda work permit?
Usually your employer, because the employer applies. Check your offer letter.
Do I pay customs duty on my belongings?
The standard rate is 25% of the value above allowances. Used household goods over six months old can come in with duty relief if you have permission to live in Bermuda and a Transfer of Residence Certificate, which is free from Customs at the airport.
Can I swap my UK driving licence?
No. You can't swap a UK licence for a Bermuda one. The TCD theory test is free and the road test is $75.
How can I reduce the cost of moving?
Negotiate relocation support into your job offer, ship less, use the free Transfer of Residence Certificate, convert currency cheaply and in stages, and start with a smaller rental.