With all the quirk and charm of British coastal towns—less than a stone’s throw from some of the most picturesque walking trails the British Isles has to offer—the Isle of Man is a rambler’s paradise of craggy cliffs and pebble beaches nestled in the heart of the Irish Sea.
The world’s first country to be awarded UNESCO Biosphere status due to its unique natural beauty, the Isle of Man blends rolling hills carpeted in wildflowers with ancient ruins hidden among the crooked branches of Celtic rainforests. What the country may lack in size—a mere 33 miles long—it certainly makes up for with its rich cultural history spanning back 10,000 years, and its renowned Manx hospitality.
Accessible by sea through the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which offers regular ferry services to the northwest of England throughout the year and via the east coast of Ireland during the summer, the Isle of Man is a popular location for British expats and tourists.
Flying to the Isle of Man
Flying to the Isle of Man can take as little as 45 minutes from Liverpool Airport, while Londoners can expect to arrive at Ronaldsway Airport in just under 90 minutes, where frequent buses and local taxi firms can have visitors taking in the vibrant scenes at Douglas, the island’s capital city, in less than half an hour.
While visitors can generally expect a slower pace of life compared to the bureaucratic chaos of mainland Britain, Manx lifestyles are by no means mundane. With a lively racing scene due to the annual Isle of Man TT racing season, an active sailing community to explore the 100 miles of stunning coastline, and two additional bank holidays to commemorate the TT Races and Tynwald Day, there is plenty to explore and ample time to do it.
Among a Sea of British Expats
Considered the largest migrant group, UK expats account for 38.2% of the island’s population, primarily due to the country’s cultural similarities to mainland Britain and the straightforward process of acquiring a work permit for UK citizens. The Isle of Man actively encourages immigration to boost the local economy. It has set a population target of 100,000 residents by 2037—music to the ears of expats tired of oversaturated job markets.
The Isle of Man boasts an abundance of opportunities for skilled workers as well as multiple enterprise schemes for those wishing to undertake local business ventures on the island.
The Isle of Man Department of Enterprise aims to ensure long-term economic growth by providing grants, funding, and other support schemes to encourage immigration to the island. For instance, the Business Start-Up Scheme can provide up to £6,000 to early business ventures, while the Domestic Event Fund provides up to 80% of the eligible costs for event organizers. The Island Infrastructure Scheme seeks to provide financial assistance to property developers who build on designated brownfield sites, while the Step Programme matches local organizations with overseas undergraduates seeking work placements.
There are plenty of opportunities for expats at every stage of their career, from seasoned digital nomads to first-time entrepreneurs. The Isle of Man was ranked 7th in the world by HSBC’s 2021 Expat Survey, which highlighted the country’s overall safety for newcomers, as well as an improved work-life balance, as key factors driving the high quality of life for the country’s expat community.
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Heaven on Earth, or a Tax Haven on Dry Land
Considered as part of the British Crown but recognized as its own self-governing territory, the Isle of Man maintains its own parliament, laws, and government. Not only does this mean that the country benefits from the UK’s defense and foreign affairs powers, but it is also free of the political crossroads that the UK finds itself surrounded by as it balances the needs of both its European and American allies. It is this autonomy that makes the Isle of Man far more politically and economically stable than mainland Britain.
While the British King is regarded as the Head of State—referred to as “The Lord of Mann”—it is instead what is considered the oldest continuous parliament in the world—Tynwald—that governs the country. Established over 1,000 years ago, the millennium-old parliament makes key decisions surrounding the country’s low-tax economy.
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Tax Benefit in The Isle of Man
The main benefit of the Isle of Man’s tax haven status is the absence of capital gains tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, and stamp duty. With personal income tax also capped at 20%, expats appreciate retaining a larger portion of their income, which in turn boosts the country’s local economy and gross domestic product.
The Isle of Man has shown consistent economic growth even during global recessions that bankrupted countries ten times its size, highlighting the island’s reliable and low-risk financial environment. The country’s financial jurisdiction is well respected on an international scale, with its regulatory body—the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (IOMFSA)—promoting global transparency that provides a secure platform for offshore banking and wealth management.
Regarded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a “Finance Centre of Excellence,” the Isle of Man has been granted whitelist status from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for its commitment to honest tax information exchange.
Alongside lower tax rates, the Isle of Man also boasts an extensive network of double tax treaties, which help avoid double taxation—a huge incentive for multinational corporations.
The icing on the cake for many British expats is that the Manx pound is considered equal in value to the British Pound Sterling, and with British pounds accepted as legal tender in the Isle of Man, relocating from the UK could not be simpler.
A Race to the Finish Line
There is certainly more to the island than just business. The Isle of Man has a longstanding reputation among racing enthusiasts and motorsport fans since the TT races first began in 1907. The Tourist Trophy races remain the world’s oldest continuous motorsport event, where motorcyclists race the Snaefell Mountain Circuit—the island’s notoriously difficult mountain course.
The annual event occurs between the months of May and June, when an estimated 40,000 visitors travel to the Isle of Man over the summer, making the races integral to the island’s tourism industry. The total visitor expenditure for 2024 came to approximately £212.04 million, highlighting just how vital tourism is to the local economy.
The races attract big names each year, like racing legends Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness, and Joey Dunlop, as well as famous fans of the sport: Top Gear’s Chris Harris, Hollywood’s Channing Tatum, and even the Duke of Cambridge himself, Prince William.
Racing season continues even after the TT races draw to an end, with the Manx Grand Prix running across August and September. Established in the 1920s, this amateur version of the TT races attracts a similar turnout, and for most racers acts as a stepping stone, allowing them to later qualify for the legendary TT races.
Throughout the year, motor vehicles remain an integral part of the country’s culture. While speed limit signs do exist in its built-up areas, the Isle of Man has no national speed limit. Despite this, the island’s long history of racing culture ensures that road users do not drive recklessly, and the island still reports lower-than-average road accidents. For driving enthusiasts, the Isle of Man is a perfect road trip destination.
An “Otherworld” Steeped in History
One look at the island’s natural landscape, and it is easy to see where the Isle of Man’s Celtic folklore drew its inspiration from. Ancient burial mounds known as “fairy hills” lie hidden among secret glens, while rambling streams navigate their own paths through Celtic rainforests. For nature lovers, the Isle of Man has an abundance of natural beauty spots to explore that will have visitors wondering whether they have stepped into a fairytale.
Myths and legends throughout history have influenced not just the Isle of Man’s rich cultural heritage, but the name itself, with the island named after Manannan—the Celtic god of the sea and king of the Otherworld, which is considered the realm of the gods in Irish mythology. There are, in fact, many overlapping tales between Manannan and the widely known Saint Patrick—the patron saint of Ireland, whom the Irish celebrate each year on St. Patrick’s Day.
It was often believed that Manannan was responsible for shrouding the island in frequent sea mists to keep it hidden from potential invaders, and while some may be skeptical about the myth’s origins, the House of Manannan museum is certainly worth a visit.
Though not quite as old as the island itself, Tynwald parliament is also brimming with history, having been founded by Viking settlers as a central location for people to assemble to air their grievances with one another. The name itself is derived from the Norse term meaning “assembly field.”
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Tynwald Day Celebration
To this day, the Isle of Man’s rich history of democracy is celebrated on Tynwald Day, which is recognized as a national holiday. The celebrations are certainly worth a visit as a procession makes the journey to Tynwald Hill, accompanied by the Tynwald Sword Bearer who carries the historic Sword of State. The public marks the journey with rushes, inspired by the ancient Celtic tradition of appeasing the sea god, Manannan, with the flowering plants as part of the midsummer festival.
Remnants of the country’s ancient customs and traditions are scattered throughout the island, with visitors able to explore Neolithic tombs and ruins like Cashtal yn Ard, King Orry’s Grave, Meayll Circle, and the Ballaharra Stones. Other popular tourist locations include Peel Castle, Laxey Wheel, and Castle Rushen.
Even tourists who do not consider themselves history enthusiasts will find themselves curious to learn more about the origins of the island’s unusual flag, which features three conjoined legs. The Three Legs of Man represents the Latin motto Quocunque Jeceris Stabit, which translates to “whichever way you throw it, it will stand.” Similarly, the three-legged motif will stand no matter which angle it is viewed from and is widely considered a symbol representing the resilience of Manx people to thrive even in times of great hardship.
Well Worth the Visit
Whether it’s scenic country walks or high-stakes motorsport races that attract visitors to the island, the Isle of Man has something for everyone, from those seeking to reap the benefits of the country’s tax haven status to expats wishing to experience life abroad while still appreciating the home comforts of British culture.
The Isle of Man is truly a hidden gem nestled within the Irish Sea that always throws its doors wide open for newcomers.
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FAQs about the Isle of Man
1. Where is the Isle of Man?
The Isle of Man is a self-governing island located in the Irish Sea, between England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
2. Where is the Isle of Man located?
Geographically, the Isle of Man lies roughly halfway between England and Ireland, making it centrally positioned in the British Isles.
3. Is the Isle of Man in Great Britain?
No, the Isle of Man is not part of Great Britain. Great Britain refers only to the island containing England, Scotland, and Wales.
4. Is the Isle of Man part of the UK?
No, the Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom. It is a Crown Dependency with its own government, laws, and parliament, though the UK is responsible for its defense and international representation.
5. What is the Isle of Man famous for?
The Isle of Man is famous for the annual TT motorcycle races, its rich Celtic and Viking heritage, stunning coastal scenery, wildlife, and its status as a low-tax business destination.
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Aneesa Marufu is a British-born novelist, and freelance writer and editor with a passion for creative writing and fiction that breaks boundaries. She was the winner of the Kimberley Chambers Prize in 2019 and longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards in 2024.
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