New research shows that Spain, America and Australia are the places in the world Britons would most like to have their ideal home (9% each). New Zealand and France were the second most popular places to live (5% each), with Italy the third most popular at 3%. 34% of those interviewed rated the UK as the best place in the world to live and had no desire to live elsewhere.

The Halifax research, conducted by NOP World, backs up the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, where Spain has, for the first time in a decade, overtaken France as the country most visited by British travellers.

Whilst it’s not exactly hot news that many Britons aspire to live abroad in warmer climates, new research has picked out some interesting regional differences.

The research showed that it was those people living outside the south of England that tended to chose Spain as their most popular country to live. 15% of people in the North East, 13% of people in the Midlands and 12% in Yorkshire and the North West put Spain as their first choice.

Demand from UK residents for properties in Spain has seen Banco Halifax Hispania increase its branches from five to ten in the last year. The new branches are located along the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca and are next to the large British expatriate communities.

Those considering buying a property abroad are often anxious about the intricacies of dealing with unfamiliar procedures. Banco Halifax Hispania can offer advice on the importance of:

• Making sure you have all necessary up to date documentation.
• Ensuring that you have registered your residency status with both the Inland Revenue in the UK and the appropriate authorities in the country you are moving to.
• Checking medical arrangements.
• Consulting a tax specialist.
• Arranging bank accounts in the country you are moving to.
• Deciding what you want to do about living accommodation abroad and your home in the UK.
• Telling everyone about your change of address, including National Savings just in case your premium bond numbers come up.
• Checking your will and make sure it takes into account rules in the country where you will be living and any inheritance tax rules that might apply.