Moving to Bhutan from United Kingdom

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What to Expect

Considering a move from United Kingdom to Bhutan? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from United Kingdom to Bhutan, and you’d need to navigate life in Dzongkha. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Thimphu averages 72°F vs 60°F in London, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from United Kingdom to Bhutan.

Living there in 2020
36

people born in United Kingdom live in Bhutan · UN DESA

Who's moving to Bhutan?

Top countries of origin for Bhutan's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Bhutan compared to United Kingdom.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

GB
1.0
BT
2.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GB
2.4
BT
12.2

United Kingdom performs better than Bhutan across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GB
$6,606
BT
$677
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GB
31.7
BT
5.5

Bhutan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

GB
13.0
BT
57.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GB
4.2t
BT
2.0t

United Kingdom generally does better on environment, though Bhutan leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GB
41.4
BT
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GB
14.3%
BT
1.4%

United Kingdom generally does better on infrastructure, though Bhutan leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GB
4.1%
BT
5.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GB
$54,100
BT
$14,000

United Kingdom generally does better on employment & economy, though Bhutan leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GB
81.9 yrs
BT
72.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GB
3.8
BT
27.0

United Kingdom generally does better on family life, though Bhutan leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

London Rain: 22.0 in/yr (558 mm)
60° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

Thimphu Rain: 23.3 in/yr (591 mm)
72° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months London Thimphu
Jan–Mar 49°/38°F (9°/3°C) 63°/33°F (17°/1°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/48°F (18°/9°C) 76°/53°F (25°/12°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/56°F (22°/13°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
Oct–Dec 53°/43°F (12°/6°C) 68°/39°F (20°/4°C)
View all months
Month London Thimphu
Jan 47°/38°F (8.1°/3.1°C) 59°/28°F (15.1°/-2.1°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.6°/2.7°C) 62°/33°F (16.7°/0.5°C)
Mar 53°/40°F (11.6°/4.6°C) 67°/39°F (19.4°/4.0°C)
Apr 58°/43°F (14.6°/5.9°C) 72°/46°F (22.4°/7.8°C)
May 65°/48°F (18.1°/8.9°C) 76°/53°F (24.7°/11.5°C)
Jun 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C) 80°/59°F (26.7°/15.2°C)
Jul 74°/57°F (23.4°/13.7°C) 81°/61°F (27.1°/16.4°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.1°/13.8°C) 81°/61°F (27.2°/16.1°C)
Sep 68°/53°F (20.0°/11.4°C) 79°/58°F (26.1°/14.6°C)
Oct 60°/48°F (15.5°/8.8°C) 74°/48°F (23.4°/9.0°C)
Nov 52°/42°F (11.3°/5.8°C) 67°/38°F (19.7°/3.2°C)
Dec 47°/38°F (8.4°/3.4°C) 62°/31°F (16.5°/-0.8°C)

Data: Met Office Met Office, National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United Kingdom and Bhutan. To live, work, or study long-term in Bhutan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Bhutan's immigration authority.

United Kingdom passport

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Bhutan

Visa Online (e-Visa)
United Kingdom passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Bhutan.
Bhutan passport

Bhutan passport holder visiting United Kingdom

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Bhutan passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to United Kingdom.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Bhutan?

Connectivity is usually fine (Bhutan: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Bhutan offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Bhutan safe for expats?

United Kingdom performs better than Bhutan across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Bhutan is 2.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.0 in United Kingdom.

How is healthcare in Bhutan compared to United Kingdom?

Bhutan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Bhutan, compared to 31.7 in United Kingdom. Bhutan scores 60 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United Kingdom: 88).

What's the weather like in Bhutan compared to United Kingdom?

The average high temperature in Thimphu is 72°F, compared to 60°F in London. Thimphu receives around 23.3 in of rainfall per year, while London gets 22.0 in.

What language do they speak in Bhutan?

The official language in Bhutan is Dzongkha. In United Kingdom, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

GB BT
Population 67,791,400 867,775
Currency British Pound Sterling (£) Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
Languages English Dzongkha
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +44 +975
Time zones 9 1
Emergency number 999