From Shetland to Argyll, more and more people are choosing to move to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have it all – access to the great outdoors, friendly villages and towns, and more historical sites than you could ever visit!
If you have perhaps returned from a holiday in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and are dreaming about a permanent stay or owning a holiday home our blog post will outline five steps to get you there.
Step 1 – Residency in Scotland
If you are not a British or Irish citizen and you want to move to your new Scottish home permanently you will need to consider how to obtain residency in Scotland. There is no citizenship requirement to buying (and unlike in England, there is no extra property tax for overseas buyers) but owning a property in Scotland does not allow you to live here.
Our Immigration team can assist you to explore all the available immigration options for international clients to move to the UK. You could obtain residency through different routes such as your ancestry or by being sponsored to work in the UK.
If you would like to use your new Scottish home as a holiday home we can assist the requirements for visit visas. Many nationals do not need visas to visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time and can enter using the e-gates. This includes citizens from the USA, Canada, Australia and the EEA/EU. There has been a recent announcement that the UK will introduce an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and we covered this in our recent blog post.
It is not as simple as it seems and the Immigration Rules prohibit living in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or making the UK your main home. Legal advice is best sought if you are planning frequent trips to the UK.
Step 2 - Choose a local solicitor
Scotland has its own unique legal system and taxation system. These can surprise buyers from England or further afield, like the USA, Canada and Australia.
A local solicitor will be able to help you navigate the Scottish system and shine light on what unique Scottish terminology like “Offers Over” or “Concluding missives” mean. At Thorntons Law LLP, as one of the largest independent law firms in Scotland, we have a great insight into the market and can help you secure your dream home.
Step 3 – Arrange viewings
This is my favourite part! Looking through property listings, studying the home report and being carried away while gazing at the photos is one thing but there is nothing like viewing a property to get a feel for whether you could see yourself living there.
It is important to take your time and get a feel for the property and the local area. Think about access roads, links to airports and what the weather will be like at different times of the year.
Step 4 – Make an Offer
If you have viewed your dream property and decided you would like to buy it, you need to make an offer with the assistance of your solicitor. This is where local knowledge and experience is invaluable in helping you judge what a successful offer will be.
Step 5 – Settlement
If all goes well and your offer is accepted, your solicitor will then help you to conclude missives. Missives are the legal process or contract you are entering into with the seller to purchase the property. You will agree a date of entry and this is when you will pay the price in exchange for the keys. This is known as settlement.
Once you have the keys, the property is yours! Enjoy this moment and the view from your new home.
Individuals who require further information and advice about buying a property in Scotland should contact our specialist property team on 03330 430350 or email sdrake@thorntons-law.co.uk. If you have questions about obtaining residency in Scotland our Immigration team can be contacted on 03330 430350 or by email lcrichton@thorntons-law.co.uk.
