Want to move to Hong Kong?
A truly international city, Hong Kong's skyscrapers are filled with professionals from across the world. Hong Kong is home to many major financial and professional services firms, each keen to attract talent, and with a global community and modern feel, most expats find it easy to settle in.
A ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality is a helpful attribute for those who want to take advantage of all Hong Kong has to offer. As well as higher salaries and high quality of life, expats are often impressed with their career progression, and when it's time to take a break, Hong Kong is the perfect base from which to explore the rest of Asia.
Explore life in Hong Kong
What's on your moving abroad checklist? We break down the essentials including salaries, education and accommodation in Hong Kong to help you prepare.
Living in Hong Kong
Preparing for a big move? Learn about accommodation, healthcare and more with our guide to life in Hong Kong.
Working in Hong Kong
Salary, business hours, what to wear - get an insight into what it's like to work in Hong Kong.
Tax in Hong Kong
If you're moving to or from Hong Kong, make sure you've got the facts on tax.
Facts and figures
| Population | About 7.5 million |
|---|---|
| Political system | Special Administrative Region of China operating on a ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Hong Kong manages its affairs except for national defence and diplomatic relations |
| Main languages | Cantonese, English and Mandarin |
| Major religions | Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity are the most common religions |
| Time | GMT +8 |
| Electricity | 220V, 50 Hz. Three-pin rectangular blade plugs are most common |
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar (HKD) |
| International dialing code | +852 |
| Internet domain | .hk |
| Emergency number | 999 |
| Road traffic | Drive on the left |
| Population | Political system |
|---|---|
| About 7.5 million |
Special Administrative Region of China operating on a ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Hong Kong manages its affairs except for national defence and diplomatic relations |
| Population | Main languages |
| About 7.5 million | Cantonese, English and Mandarin |
| Population | Major religions |
| About 7.5 million | Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity are the most common religions |
| Population | Time |
| About 7.5 million | GMT +8 |
| Population | Electricity |
| About 7.5 million | 220V, 50 Hz. Three-pin rectangular blade plugs are most common |
| Population | Currency |
| About 7.5 million | Hong Kong dollar (HKD) |
| Population | International dialing code |
| About 7.5 million | +852 |
| Population | Internet domain |
| About 7.5 million | .hk |
| Population | Emergency number |
| About 7.5 million | 999 |
| Population | Road traffic |
| About 7.5 million | Drive on the left |
Key phrases
| English | Traditional Chinese | How to say it in Cantonese |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | 你好 | Néih hóu |
| Goodbye | 再見 | Joigin |
| How are you? | 你好嗎 | Néih hóu ma |
| Thank you | 多謝 | Dòjeh |
| Yes | 係 | Haih |
| No | 唔係 | Mh’haih |
| Do you speak English? | 你識唔識講英文呀? | Néih sīk-m̀h-sīk góng Yīngmán a? |
| Can you help me? | 唔該幫我 | m̀h’gōi bōng ngóh |
| Sorry | 對唔住 | Deui-m̀h-jyuh |
| English | Hello |
|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 你好 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Néih hóu |
| English | Goodbye |
| Traditional Chinese | 再見 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Joigin |
| English | How are you? |
| Traditional Chinese | 你好嗎 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Néih hóu ma |
| English | Thank you |
| Traditional Chinese | 多謝 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Dòjeh |
| English | Yes |
| Traditional Chinese | 係 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Haih |
| English | No |
| Traditional Chinese | 唔係 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Mh’haih |
| English | Do you speak English? |
| Traditional Chinese | 你識唔識講英文呀? |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Néih sīk-m̀h-sīk góng Yīngmán a? |
| English | Can you help me? |
| Traditional Chinese | 唔該幫我 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | m̀h’gōi bōng ngóh |
| English | Sorry |
| Traditional Chinese | 對唔住 |
| How to say it in Cantonese | Deui-m̀h-jyuh |
Climate in Hong Kong
Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching around 32°C (90°F). Autumn is a more comfortable 19°C to 28°C (66°F to 82°F), while winters are usually cloudy and cold, with temperatures falling below 10°C (50°F).
Shipping to Hong Kong
While you can buy all your furniture and other household items in Hong Kong, shipping services are efficient and relatively cheap. There’s no duty or tax levied on imported personal household items, and no limit on how much you can bring in.
Hiring professionals: If you hire an international removal company, make sure it has reliable ground services. Get quotes that include delivery and unpacking – apartments are usually high up and you’ll be glad to have help.
Food: Most food items can’t be brought into Hong Kong without a permit, so it’s much easier to stock up when you arrive.
Pets: You can take your pets to Hong Kong, but apartments are small, outdoor space is limited and not many parks allow dogs. Pets may also be quarantined for a minimum of 4 months. You’ll find information about bringing pets into Hong Kong on the Agriculture Department’s website.
Should you get an offshore bank account?
An offshore account can be useful for expats looking to keep some money in a central location, rather than one specific country or region.
Our Expat Bank Account is an offshore account that comes with a range of benefits, including:
- A Global Money Account - Make quick and easy payments across borders.
- Relationship manager - Someone to help you and your family manage your money.
- Online and on mobile - Manage your banking, FX and investments wherever, whenever.
You can set your account up in USD, EUR or GBP and you can hold it alongside accounts in the country you're leaving or the one you're moving to.
Top tips
Here's what expats have told us about living in Hong Kong.
Make sure you have sufficient cash for the large deposit required to rent a property - around 3.5 months up front to include the deposit, a months rent in advance and the agent’s fee.
English-speaking schools are extremely difficult to get into. You need to discuss this with your employees/organise it well in advance of arriving.
Don’t underestimate the cost of living in a lower tax jurisdiction! Accommodation, healthcare, education and transport can cost significantly more than you think!