What Is Reform UK’s Britannia Card? Everything You Need to Know About the GBP 250,000 Tax Break for Wealthy Newcomers and Worker Payout Plan

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has debuted its awaited “Britannia Card” proposal, a radical policy that will offer wealthy foreigners and returning British expatriates a 10-year tailored tax regime in exchange for a one-time GBP 250,000 “entry contribution”. Funds raised would be disbursed via HMRC straight to low-paid UK workers.

What are the offerings of a Britannia Card?

Tax benefits: you’d be exempt from overseas income tax and inheritance tax and would be using a “remittance basis” for ten years. 

Residency: A 10-year permit for UK residence. 

Fee: One upfront fee of GBP 250,000 per applicant.

How will employees benefit?

Reform UK said that the distribution of 6,000 cards would amount to GBP 1.5 billion, allowing GBP 600 annual tax-free bonuses to approximately 2.5 million of the lowest-paid full-time workers in the country. If 10,000 cards were issued, then benefits could increase to GBP 1,000 per worker.

Is it a “Robin Hood” scheme or a tax loophole?

The Reform Party calls a “Robin Hood tax” to restore fairness for working-class Britons, saying it contributes to British society immediately. Critics from all sides, including Labour and the Conservatives, argue that it gives effective tax breaks for richer people while ordinary residents pay the same.

What questions remain unanswered?

• There is no clear definition of a “high-net-worth newcomer”.
• It’s unclear how HMRC would operate or enforce this scheme.
• Critics warn it could cause a net revenue loss, pushing burdens to ordinary taxpayers or NHS users.

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