Property in Spain is among the most likely destinations for UK expats, according to research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).

In a study of expats’ lifestyles and habits, ippr notes that many head to property in Spain, with the country ranking alongside Australia, the US, Canada and France as the nations with the largest communities of Britons.

The total number of Britons living abroad has increased since 2006, by 100,000 to 5.6 million, with 500,000 more spending at least part of the year overseas.

However, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office notes that as many as 60 per cent of Britons who do go abroad fail to research issues including personal finance and healthcare before their departure from the UK.

The ippr report suggests that the existing work to serve British nationals overseas could continue to ultimately provide one-stop shops for advice in countries such as Spain, where there are already a number of separate services for Britons needing assistance.

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