Welcome to your new duty station in England. (Peter Moulton - stock.adobe.com)
Our 2026-2027 “Welcome to The U.K.” magazine is a guide for newcomers and is a vital resource for understanding your new home in England.
When you arrive, your sponsor is required to bring you to the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) in Bldg. 671 at which point you will sign up for the Base Newcomers’ Orientation. The orientation is held at the Community Activity Center on scheduled Thursdays. Spouses are encouraged to attend.
RAF Croughton / RAF Welford / RAF Fairford (422d)
Before you PCS, attend the virtual Pre-Arrival Orientation offered every other month. Once you arrive, a Newcomers’ Orientation is offered on Thursdays at either RAF Alconbury or RAF Croughton. Spouses and contractors are encouraged to attend.
Each Tuesday and Wednesday there is a two-day orientation that includes a mandatory driver safety briefing and test. The orientation is held at the Eagle’s Landing in Bldg. 958. Each Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. there is a separate Lakenheath 101—Spouse’s Orientation.
The two-day Team Mildenhall Newcomers’ Orientation is held at the Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) in Bldg. 460. Spouses should attend the Newcomers Safety Orientation (which includes drivers’ training) and are encouraged to attend extra spouse orientations, which are held monthly.
As of January 2025, American citizens visiting the U.K. as a tourist must get an ETA prior to travel. The ETA costs 10 pounds and provides multiple entries into the U.K. with stays of up to six months. It expires after two years. The best way to apply is via the U.K. ETA App provided for free by the Home Office. Your guests will need:
A mobile device to download the app (free)
A credit card to pay the 10-pound fee
Contact information
A current, valid passport to scan
Allow the app to take your photo
Visit the ETA Website for details and to find links to download the app.
Here are some food delivery apps that are commonly used off-installation across the U.K.
Here are some common grocery stores in the U.K. Many also offer their own delivery service.
Tesco
Sainsbury’s
Waitrose
ASDA
Marks and Spencer (M & S)
Morrisons
Lidl
Aldi
Co-Op
Iceland
Beelivery.com offers same-day grocery delivery across 90 percent of the U.K.
Ocado.com is an online grocery store that offers scheduled delivery.
Need an extra pan, cups or dishes at your temporary lodging? Forget something in your household goods? Here is where to find those budget needs.
Swanky Seconds on RAF Lakenheath is run by the Liberty Community Spouse Association. Located in Bldg. 960 near the Burger King.
Trader Winston’s Thrift Shop is located in Bldg. 168 on RAF Mildenhall. It is run by the Mildenhall Spouses’ Association.
DejaNew—This community closet on RAF Alconbury is located near the sports fields and has thrift store items in addition to a free military clothing room and food pantry.
RAF Croughton Airman’s Attic is located in Bldg. 72 and provides free clothing, uniforms and household items to service members and families.
RAF Mildenhall’s Airman’s Attic is in Bldg. 448 and offers free items.
RAF Lakenheath’s Airman’s Attic across the street from the track provides free items.
Some M&FRC Loan Lockers allow you to borrow common kitchen items that are issued for 30 days at a time when providing a copy of PCS orders. These are available on a walk-in basis.
RAF Alconbury M&FRC, Bldg. 671
RAF Croughton M&FRC, Bldg. 72
RAF Lakenheath M&FRC, Bldg. 950
RAF Mildenhall M&FRC, Bldg. 460
You may need to obtain a pounds sterling bank account in order to pay bills for cell phone plans, rent and off-base utilities. Opening a pounds sterling account can be accomplished at an on- or off-base bank.
On-base banking options
Community Bank
Keesler Federal Credit Union
Off-base banking options
Barclays
Halifax
HSBC
Lloyds
Nationwide Building Society
Natwest
Santander
Yorkshire Building Society
To open a pounds sterling account off base you may need the following. It is highly recommended to visit the bank in person, if possible.
Proof of identity: U.S. passport with U.K. visa.
Proof of address: Rental agreement or utility bill. Without those, a letter signed by your unit commander can serve as a reference to confirm that you are authorized to be in the U.K.
The VAT program exempts you from paying sales tax of 20 percent on non-fixed goods that are individually over £100. To utilize the VAT program for a large purchase, obtain a ration card and visit your installation’s VAT office for specific details.
The “over £100 rule” means that each item must be priced at over £100 (VAT is included in that total).
VAT exemption does not apply to clothes, vehicles, real estate property purchases, online purchases or utilities.
For oil heating, you are exempt from paying five percent with VAT Form.
How to use the VAT Relief Program
Ask the vendor if they are willing to participate in the VAT program.
Have the vendor address a quote or invoice to your base’s FSS.
Make an appointment and bring the quote to your FSS office and pay the amount listed on the quote, plus the processing fee (8–10 dollars). FSS will issue a government check in the amount of the quote and a VAT certificate.
Return to the vendor to pay for your items with the government check. The vendor must fill out the VAT certificate and retain the merchant copy.
Return a copy of the VAT certificate to your FSS office within 10 days.
When you arrive, put your phone in airplane mode to avoid unexpected charges. Also update any two-factor authentication (2FA) contact details so you can use it after arrival.
WI-FI COMMUNICATION
When you first arrive, it is helpful to use one of these popular texting and communication apps that are free to use over Wi-Fi.
Facetime
Signal
Facebook Messenger
Visit www.ofcom.org.uk to see which cell phone providers offer the best signal for data calls for where you plan to live.
Monthly Plans
Require a service contract of 18-24 months.
Need a pounds sterling account with a U.K. sort code and account number.
No military clause included.
Pay as you go / Pre-pay
Purchase a SIM card from an online vendor to be mailed to a U.K. address, or at a retail location (like grocery stores).
Pay to add more data via your account online or at a retail location.
No pounds sterling account is needed to set up if you purchase and top up from retail locations.
