Working overseas is a new beginning that many people think about at some point in life, and often at the start of a New Year.

With a quarter of a million people making the move each year, research from Abbey National Offshore shows that the key motivations for doing so are a better quality of life (38 per cent) and the desire for new life experiences (30 per cent). The prospect of a tax-free salary is not enough to prompt the move, with just four per cent considering this an incentive.

Even escaping the British winter is not enough to entice workers overseas, with just over one in ten (11 per cent) considering a warmer climate a key reason to move abroad - although this rises to 29 per cent for people in Scotland.

Career progression is also an incentive, but only for nine per cent of the adult population.

With a better quality of life at the top of the agenda, 22 per cent would head to the States to find it, the top choice for those thinking of moving overseas, with Australia coming in second place at 14 per cent, and Spain and Spanish Islands coming in at 11 per cent.

Other European countries don’t seem to have the same appeal, with just six per cent choosing Germany, Greece and The Netherlands.

Cyprus and Portugal also seem to be low on the popularity stakes, with just one per cent of the British wanting to work in each of these locations. Canada and New Zealand seem to be more attractive, however, with nine per cent and seven per cent choosing these destinations.

Despite the key motivation for moving abroad being a better lifestyle, it’s surprising to see that over a third (36 per cent) of respondents would choose to work in a city and just 28 per cent would be attracted to a coastal area. However, this choice really depends on age and life stage – 51 per cent of 16-24 year olds would choose city life but only nine per cent of over 65s would with 35 per cent having a strong preference for coastal areas.

A picturesque village (eight per cent) or beautiful mountain views (seven per cent) would not be enough to lure the British overseas, except for people in the North and East Anglia, where 17 per cent would choose this type of location.

Malcolm Corrigan, Abbey National Offshore said: “Working overseas provides the chance to experience new cultures and a different type of lifestyle and with 250,000 people making the move each year, it is important to focus on the financial practicalities before you make the move.”

“Our research shows that three out of four people would continue to use a UK bank account while working abroad, despite it not catering for the needs of an expatriate lifestyle. Opening an offshore bank account couldn’t be simpler and often your UK bank will have special services for expatriates.”

Although moving away from family and friends can be hard for many, it seems that the British are not scared to make the break – more than half (52 per cent) would be happy to move overseas for between six months and two years. Indeed, one in five (21 per cent) would be willing to commit to over six years in another country, with Yorkshire residents particularly keen on the prospect of a long contract abroad (30 per cent).

Whatever the length of time abroad, it is important to organise banking needs before the big move. Abbey National Offshore specialises in banking for expatriates and offers overseas customers many services to make the process both seamless and straightforward.

For further information on offshore banking call + 44 (0)1534 885100 or log onto www.anoffshore.com.