Els(58)

For twenty years I ran a small hotel in Breda. When my children left home and my husband passed away, I wanted something completely different. The Lake District had always been my favourite place in England — the lakes, the mountains, the absolute peace. I found a former farmhouse for sale in Ambleside that was perfect as a B&B.

The visa problem was the biggest hurdle. As an entrepreneur wanting to start her own business, I had no employer to sponsor me. The Innovator Founder visa was an option, but my business plan had to be "innovative" — a traditional B&B doesn't automatically qualify. My immigration lawyer helped me reframe the plan: an eco-friendly hospitality concept with sustainable energy, local supply chains and an online platform for agritourism.

The endorsement application via the IOEE (Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs) took ten weeks. They wanted a detailed financial plan, evidence of my hotel experience and a market analysis. The costs: £1,036 for the visa, £1,035 per year IHS, plus the endorsement fee of £500. Nearly £3,600 in total for the first year.

Buying the farmhouse was an adventure in itself. Conveyancing in England is slow — it took five months from offer to keys. The stamp duty on a property at £380,000 was £8,500 plus the 2% foreign buyer surcharge. I financed with a mix of my savings and a UK mortgage. Getting a mortgage as a foreigner is difficult but not impossible — I went to a specialist broker with expat experience.

Running a B&B in the UK brings specific obligations. You need to register with the local council for business rates (separate from council tax), you need a food hygiene certificate, fire safety inspections by the fire service, and you must be compliant with HMRC for both income tax and VAT if your turnover exceeds £90,000. Making Tax Digital is mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses.

The Lake District is breathtaking. I wake up every morning with a view of the Langdale Pikes. My guests come from all over the world, the local community has embraced me and I feel younger than in years. It's hard work — seven days a week in season — but it's my dream. My advice: be creative with your visa strategy and hire a good immigration lawyer. The rules are strict, but not insurmountable.