UK Income Tax Calculator 2025-2026

If you're moving to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, one of the first things you'll want to know is how much of your salary you actually keep. The short answer: the UK taxes income in bands, not as a flat percentage — so your first £12,570 is completely tax-free, and higher rates only kick in on earnings above each threshold.

On top of income tax, you'll also pay National Insurance contributions, which fund the NHS and state pension. Both deductions happen automatically through PAYE — your employer handles it before the money hits your bank account.

How the bands work — a real example

What visa holders need to know

• Same rates as UK citizens. If you're a UK tax resident (most Skilled Worker visa holders are), you pay exactly the same tax and NI as everyone else. Your visa type doesn't change your rates.
• You'll need a National Insurance number. Apply for one after you arrive — your employer can often help with this. See our NI number guide for details.
• Your employer needs a Certificate of Sponsorship. This is a prerequisite for your visa, not a tax document — but it confirms your salary, which determines your tax bracket.
• Scotland has different rates. If your job is based in Scotland, you pay Scottish income tax — six bands from 19% to 48%, which tends to be a bit more for mid-to-high earners. NI stays the same UK-wide.
• Check the salary requirements. Skilled Worker visas have minimum salary thresholds that vary by occupation. Use our occupation eligibility checker or browse the Immigration Salary List to see what applies to your role.

Scotland vs the rest of the UK

Scotland runs its own income tax system with six bands instead of three. The starter rate (19%) is slightly lower than England's basic rate, but the higher bands (42%, 45%, 48%) mean Scottish earners above roughly £28k pay more. The trade-off is often cited in terms of public services — Scotland offers some benefits (like free prescriptions) that other parts of the UK charge for.

National Insurance is set by Westminster, not Holyrood, so it's identical wherever you work in the UK.

Ready to find a visa-sponsored job?

Now that you know what your take-home pay looks like, start searching. Browse visa-sponsored jobs from UK licensed sponsors, or explore roles by job category. If you're still researching visa types, check our visa types guide and the glossary for UK immigration terminology.