Should I go Bankrupt before I move Abroad?
- 27 Nov 2021
After you move abroad maintaining debt payments in the UK can put you under real financial pressure. Going bankrupt before you leave can take this problem away.
Included in this article:
- If you plan to move abroad is Bankruptcy a sensible option?
- Should you go bankrupt before you leave the UK?
- Can you get credit in the country you move to?
- Your obligations after you move abroad
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If you plan to move Abroad is Bankruptcy a sensible option?
If you plan to move abroad outstanding debts in the UK can be a problem. You may intend to keep up the repayments. But what if it turns out that you are unable to do this?
It is not unusual to be unsure about how long it will take to get a new job after you move. Even if you have a job lined up it is often difficult to know what your new rent and other living expenses will be.
Given this being able to move without having to worry about making debt payments in the UK can be a real help. Going bankrupt before you leave makes this possible.
After you are bankrupt if you can afford to do so you may still have to make payments towards your debts even if you are living abroad.
Should you go Bankrupt before you move Abroad?
If you are moving to another EU country you must apply to go bankrupt before you leave. After changes to the Insolvency Act introduced in April 16 you lose the right as soon as you have moved.
Where you are going to a country outside the EU you do not need to go bankrupt before you leave. Under the Insolvency Act section 263 I(2) you can apply for bankruptcy in England & Wales for up to 3 years from the date you move. The application can be made online so you do not need to travel back to the UK.
If you live in Scotland you lose the right to declare bankruptcy as soon as you move away. As such if you are considering going bankrupt in Scotland you must do so before you leave.
If you are planning to move to another EU country (excluding Denmark) you MUST go bankrupt before you leave the UK.
Will you be able to get credit in the County you move to?
When you go bankrupt your credit rating in the UK is seriously affected for up to 6 years. However local credit reference agencies rarely have cross boarder links. As such your credit rating in the country you move to should not be affected.
Once you have moved if you apply for a bank account or credit the local credit reference agency is unlikely to be aware of your poor credit rating in the UK.
As such despite your bankruptcy you should have the same options for credit as anyone else who is new to the country.
If you go bankrupt after moving to a non EU country you will have to declare any bank accounts you have opened locally. The Official Receiver (OR) is likely to write to the bank informing them of your UK bankruptcy. This could affect your local banking facilities.
Your Bankruptcy obligations after you move Abroad
Your bankruptcy in the UK will normally last for 12 months. If you move abroad after going bankrupt you must still remain in contact with the OR during this time.
If you are unsure what your income or living expenses will be after you move this is not a problem. However once you are settled and get a job you are legally obliged to inform the OR.
They will then ask for information about your new income and living expenses. If you have a surplus income the OR will still require you to pay this towards your debt in the UK.
We are experienced in assisting people go bankrupt before moving abroad. Call us (0800 044 3194) or complete the form below for more advice.
I have accrued a large upaid tax debt. If I file bankruptcy does that include that debt?
Hi Joel
I can confirm that debt owed to HMRC (tax debt) is included and written off if you go bankrupt.
Note: If you have a significant tax debt then the official receiver may issue a bankruptcy Restriction Undertaking (BRU). However, this is not normally an issue for most people.