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Americans in London

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy London as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy London

Passports, citizenship, voting help, notarials and emergency help for U.S. citizens in the UK

33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US

Website · Map · +44 20 7499 9000

Your community group

ExpatStateside UK: Americans in the United Kingdom

Free group for Americans in the United Kingdom: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Opening soon

Vote from LondonRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

London Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

A move abroad changes more than your address. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

Open

Your business here: partner in London

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Guides for life in London

Basics

Cost of living in London vs New York: rent, transit, food and health

London rent rivals Manhattan, but transit is capped, healthcare costs a fixed surcharge, and there are no surprise ER bills. Here's how the numbers stack up against New York and the US average.

Basics

Getting a National Insurance number: the UK's answer to your Social Security number

Your National Insurance number tracks your UK tax and State Pension record. Here's how to apply online, why you can start work before it arrives, and what the 2026 rules mean if you leave.

Money and work

UK taxes for Americans: HMRC, the IRS and how the two returns fit together

In London you answer to HMRC and the IRS. Here's how UK residence works, what replaced the remittance basis in 2025, and how the treaty and tax credits stop you paying twice.

Money and work

Banking in the UK as an American: FATCA forms, the address catch-22 and moving your money

UK banks open accounts for Americans, but expect a FATCA form and a proof-of-address puzzle. Here's how to get set up in your first weeks in London.

Money and work

ISAs and US tax: why the UK's favorite tax shelter backfires on Americans

Your British coworkers max out their ISA every April. For a US citizen, the tax-free wrapper doesn't exist in the IRS's eyes, and UK funds inside it can be a PFIC trap.

Money and work

UK pensions and US tax: workplace pensions, SIPPs, lump sums and the treaty

UK pensions are the one British tax shelter the treaty mostly respects. But the 25% tax-free lump sum and self-funded SIPPs come with US catches.

Home

Renting in London: what Americans need to know before signing

London renting changed in May 2026: rolling tenancies, no bidding wars, capped deposits. Here's how Americans with no UK credit find a place and protect their deposit.

Home

Council tax in London: bands, who pays, discounts and how to appeal

It's the UK's version of a property tax, but renters usually pay it. Here's how bands, discounts and appeals work, with real 2026/27 London figures.

Moving and visas

Moving to London as an American: the visa routes that actually work

No retirement visa, no digital nomad visa, but solid routes for workers, grads of top US schools, spouses and students. Here's how Americans get to London, with 2026 fees in pounds and dollars.

Moving and visas

Indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship: the long road to a UK passport

Settling in the UK is changing. Here's what the ILR rules say today, what the November 2026 earned settlement plans would change, what it costs and why you keep your US passport.

Health

Healthcare in London: how the NHS actually works day to day, and when to go private

No copays, no network, no EOBs. Here's how the NHS works day to day in London, what you still pay for, and when private cover is worth it.

Health

The NHS for Americans: paying the health surcharge and registering with a GP

You pay for the NHS up front with your visa, then get care with no copays or deductibles. Here's what the surcharge costs in 2026 and how to register with a doctor.

Schools and study

Schools in London: state schools, catchments, American and IB schools, and the road to US college

Free state schools, catchment math, American and IB schools, and how to keep a US college application on track from London.

Schools and study

UK universities for American students: UCAS, fees, visas and federal loans

Three-year degrees, five UCAS choices and federal loans that still work abroad. Here's how Americans apply to UK universities and pay for them in 2026 and 2027.

Getting around

Driving in the UK with a US license: the 12-month clock, ULEZ, and why most Londoners take the Tube

Your US license works for your first year as a UK resident. After that it's a provisional license and two tests. Here's the plan, plus ULEZ and the Tube.

Getting around

The Tube, buses and contactless: how to pay for London transit in 2026

Tap the same card every time and London's fare caps do the math for you. Here's how 2026 fares, zones, Railcards, the Night Tube and the Heathrow options work.

Community

American life in London: Thanksgiving, the NFL and the embassy at Nine Elms

London has had an American community for well over a century. Here's how Americans keep Thanksgiving and the Fourth, catch NFL games in person, find their people and use the embassy at Nine Elms.

Community

Making friends in London: clubs, teams and getting past the British reserve

Londoners are friendly, just slower to open up than folks back home. Here's where Americans actually make friends: teams, parkrun, volunteering, clubs and the pub after.

Going out

American food in London: where to find US groceries, NFL Sundays and a Thanksgiving turkey

Craving Jif, a proper NFL Sunday or a November turkey? Here's where Americans in London find a taste of home, from St John's Wood delis to Costco runs.

Going out

Nightlife in London: pubs, clubs, jazz and getting home on the Night Tube

There's no 2 a.m. last call in London, but there's no all-night subway on most lines either. Here's how a night out actually works, from the pub to the Night Tube.

America in London

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Embassy

U.S. Embassy London

Passports, citizenship, voting help, notarials and emergency help for U.S. citizens in the UK

33 Nine Elms Lane, London SW11 7US

Website · Map · +44 20 7499 9000 · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Fulbright / EducationUSA

US-UK Fulbright Commission

Fulbright awards and the UK's EducationUSA advice on studying in the United States

London

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

Business and networking

Chamber

BritishAmerican Business

Transatlantic trade association incorporating the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK

Chancery House, 53-64 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1QS

Website · Map · +44 20 7290 9888 · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Clubs and associations

Club

American Women's Club of London

Social and service club for American and international women in greater London; FAWCO member

London

Website · Map · +44 20 8088 3192 · awc@awclondon.org · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party

Democrats Abroad UK

Official Democratic Party body for U.S. citizens in the United Kingdom

Website · Map · +44 20 3514 1410

Party

Republicans Overseas UK

UK country chapter of Republicans Overseas for U.S. citizens in the United Kingdom

Website · Map · +44 7710 825067 · contact@republicansoverseasuk.co.uk · Facebook · Instagram · X

American sport

League

London Mets Baseball & Softball Club

Volunteer-run club with youth baseball, adult league teams and beginner courses

Finsbury Park, London N4 1EE

Website · Map · info@londonmets.org · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube

Schools and universities

School

The American School in London

Independent American-curriculum school in St John's Wood

One Waverley Place, London NW8 0NP

Website · Map · +44 20 7449 1200 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

ACS Hillingdon International School

International school in West London offering the IB Diploma and Advanced Placement courses

Hillingdon Court, 108 Vine Lane, Hillingdon UB10 0BE

Website · Map · +44 1895 259771 · LinkedIn

School

TASIS The American School in England

Day and boarding school, ages 4–18 (Pre-K to Grade 12); AP and IB; NEASC accredited

Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Surrey TW20 8TE

Website · Map · +44 1932 565 252 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

School

ACS Cobham International School

Day and boarding school, ages 2–18; US High School Diploma (NEASC accredited) with AP and IB Diploma

Heywood, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1BL

Website · Map · +44 1932 867251 · cobhamadmissions@acs-schools.com · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

School

ACS Egham International School

Day school, ages 3–18; IB (MYP, DP, CP) plus US High School Diploma (NEASC accredited); no AP

London Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 0HS

Website · Map · +44 1784 430 800 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

University

Richmond American University London

US-accredited university (MSCHE, on warning status since June 2026) with UK degree-awarding powers; bachelor's and master's

Building 12, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5AN

Website · Map · +44 20 8332 8200 · usadmissions@richmond.ac.uk · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

University

Hult International Business School – London

Branch campuses of a NECHE-accredited US business school; undergraduate and graduate programs

37-38 John Street, London (graduate); 33 Commercial Road, London (undergraduate)

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Study abroad

NYU London

New York University's London academic center for semester, full-year and summer study

265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH

Website · Map

Study abroad

Boston University London

BU study abroad center in South Kensington: semester, internship and summer programs

43 Harrington Gardens, London SW7

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Study abroad

Syracuse University London Center

Syracuse Abroad center in Bloomsbury: semester study, internships and field studies

Faraday House, 48-51 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AE

Website · Map · +44 20 7400 9310 · Instagram · LinkedIn

Study abroad

Florida State University London Study Centre

FSU International Programs center near the British Museum, incl. Theatre Academy London

99 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LH

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

American restaurants and bars

More in our guide: American food, restaurants and bars in London. Listings are not paid.

Sports bar

Passyunk Avenue

Philly-themed American dive bar with cheesesteaks; shows NFL, college football, NBA, MLB and the Super Bowl.

Leake Street, Waterloo, London

Website · Map · +44 20 3926 5144

Sports bar

Long Arm

Shoreditch brewpub that shows NFL among other live sports.

20-26 Worship Street, London EC2A 2DX

Website · Map · +44 20 3873 4065 · info@longarmpub.co.uk · Facebook · Instagram

Sports bar

Goldwood

Sports pub near Bank with large UHD screens; hosts Philadelphia Eagles watch parties.

30 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DQ

Website · Map · +44 20 3918 6028

Sports bar

Greenwood

Sports pub near Victoria Station that hosts Super Bowl parties.

170 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5LB

Website · Map

BBQ

Lil' Nashville

Nashville-style honky-tonk bar with BBQ smoked on site, live country music and line dancing.

11 Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick, London W4 4PH

Website · Map · +44 20 4619 8285 · london@lilnashville.co.uk

BBQ

Red Dog Saloon

Texas-style BBQ, burgers and bourbon in Hoxton Square.

37 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NN

Website · Map · +44 20 3551 8014 · hoxton@reddogsaloon.co.uk

Bagels

It's Bagels

New York-style bagel shop with cream cheese, lox and deli fillings.

65 Regent's Park Rd, London NW1 8XD (also Notting Hill, Soho, Hampstead)

Website · Map · +44 7802 444675 · Instagram

Burgers

Shake Shack Covent Garden

New York burger chain: ShackBurgers, crinkle fries and frozen custard.

24 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD

Website · Map

A taste of home

Costco

Costco Croydon

Costco warehouse in South London

29 Imperial Way, Croydon CR0 4RR

Website · Map · +44 20 8253 4105

Churches and congregations

Church

American International Church

English-language church on Tottenham Court Road; organizes the American Thanksgiving Service at St Paul's Cathedral

Whitefield Memorial Church, 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD

Website · Map · +44 20 7580 2791 · info@amchurch.co.uk