Working from home is no longer just a dream or a temporary solution; it’s a practical and increasingly common way to earn money from home in the UK. Whether you’re after a flexible side hustle or a more substantial income stream, there are legitimate opportunities you can take on from your kitchen table.
At Remitly, we understand the journey of building a life and an income in a new country. Navigating work-from-home options, avoiding scams, and managing finances abroad can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you find reliable ways to make money from home, no matter your experience level or schedule.
Why people are turning to home-based income in 2025
So why is everyone talking about making money from home right now? It comes down to two things: a big shift in the way people work, and the rising costs of everyday life in the UK.
The rise of remote work and side hustles
More people than ever are working remotely. In fact, around 40% of the UK workforce now spends at least part of their week at home. With this shift, side hustles like tutoring, freelancing, or selling crafts have gone from niche hobbies to essential sources of household income.
Cost-of-living pressures
Living costs in the UK have risen sharply, with the average household now spending around 2,700 GBP per month in 2025. Rent, energy bills, and groceries have all climbed, leaving less room for extra expenses. For immigrants and expats, the pressure can feel even greater while adjusting to a new country and supporting loved ones abroad.
The chance to make money from home has turned into more than just a convenience, with 2 in 5 Brits now looking for these options. It’s become a practical way to stretch budgets and bring in income that really makes a difference.
Employed remote work opportunities
If you like the idea of a steady pay cheque and set hours, but still want the flexibility of working from home, remote employment could be for you.
Customer service representative
If you’ve ever called your broadband or mobile provider, chances are the person helping you might have been working from home. Companies like BT, Sky, and TalkTalk often recruit remote customer service representatives.
- Pay: 18-26,000 GBP per year
- Requirements: clear spoken and written English, patience, strong listening skills, and a stable internet connection
- Flexibility: part-time and full-time shifts, often including evenings and weekends
Customer service jobs are a great option if you want steady work without specialist qualifications. They also give you the chance to improve your communication skills and get to know British workplace culture.
Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is like a remote office assistant for busy business owners. Tasks might include managing calendars, replying to emails, or doing research. The demand for VAs in the UK is rising quickly, particularly among small businesses and startups.
- Pay: 10-50 GBP per hour
- Skills: organisation, time management, familiarity with digital tools such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Office
- Where to look: Beehively, Time Etc, LinkedIn
Virtual assistant work is flexible and varied. You could spend your morning booking travel for one client and your afternoon organising spreadsheets for another. For immigrants, it’s a way to gain insight into how UK businesses operate.
Online tutoring and teaching
If you love sharing knowledge, online tutoring could be an option for you. UK families are always looking for tutors in subjects like maths, English, and science.
- Pay: 30-40 GBP per hour
- Requirements: strong subject knowledge; some roles need formal qualifications like a PGCE or TEFL
- Platforms: Tutorful, MyTutor, Preply
Tutoring is especially popular with immigrants who are bilingual or have specialist skills. It’s flexible, pays well, and gives you the satisfaction of helping others succeed.
Freelance and self-employment options
If you’d rather be your own boss, freelancing offers endless variety. You can choose your projects, set your rates, and work with clients both in the UK and internationally.
Freelance writing and content creation
The UK has a big appetite for quality content, from blogs and social media to technical guides.
- Pay: 50-70 GBP per hour
- How to start: build a small portfolio (even unpaid samples help) and pitch on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or PeoplePerHour
Remote translation and interpreting
If you speak more than one language, translation can be a steady way to make money from home. Many UK companies and global platforms look for translators to work on documents, websites, or customer communications.
- Pay: 0.04-0.15 GBP per word
- Platforms: Gengo, ProZ, TranslatorsCafe
- Skills: fluency in two or more languages, plus strong attention to detail
This work allows you to use your language skills daily while helping people connect across cultures.
Transcription and captioning
Transcription involves listening to audio and converting it into text. Captioning is similar, but focuses on video content. Both are in demand due to the rise of online media.
- Pay: 0.50-1.50 GBP per audio minute
- Platforms: Rev, TranscribeMe, Take Note (UK-based)
- Good for: fast typists, detail-oriented workers
It might not be the highest-paying job, but it’s a good way to earn some extra money to stretch your monthly budget.
Online consulting or coaching
If you have expertise in an area like careers, nutrition, fitness, or business, then you could consider setting up a business in coaching.
- Pay: 30-100+ GBP per client per month
- Platforms: LinkedIn, Coach.me, or your own website
- Best for: those with specialist knowledge and good communication skills
Online selling and e-commerce
E-commerce is thriving in the UK. It can start as a side project and grow into a full-time income if you put in the time. For example, you could flip items on eBay, sell handmade crafts on Etsy, try dropshipping, or use Amazon FBA to sell products without worrying about shipping. If you earn over 90,000 GBP annually, you’ll need to register for VAT with HMRC.
Creative ways to make money from home
Not every money-making idea has to look like a traditional job. Some of the most exciting opportunities are creative, flexible, and fun. These options let you express yourself, play to your strengths, and often grow into long-term projects.
Social media management
If you already spend time scrolling Instagram or TikTok, why not get paid for it? Many small UK businesses don’t have the time or know-how to run their accounts, so they hire freelancers.
- Pay: 300 GBP per day
- Tasks: creating posts, scheduling content, replying to comments
- Good for: people who enjoy social media and understand trends
Affiliate marketing
This is basically word-of-mouth for the digital age. You share products or services you like, add a special link, and earn a small commission if someone buys through it.
- UK networks: Amazon Associates, Awin
- Requirements: disclose affiliate links (ASA rules)
- Earnings: takes time to grow, but can become a steady income
Online course creation
If you’ve got a skill others might want to learn, like cooking, coding, or painting, then you can turn it into a course and sell it online.
- Platforms: Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare
- Pay: varies, depending on sales and popularity
Once it’s live, you can keep earning from the same course without starting from scratch every time.
Print-on-demand products
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your design on a t-shirt, mug, or tote bag, print-on-demand platforms make that possible without holding stock.
- Platforms: Redbubble, Teespring, Printful
- Best for: creatives who love designing graphics or slogans
Upload your designs once, and the platform handles printing, shipping, and customer service. You just collect the royalties.
Graphic design and digital services
Businesses always need visuals to stand out online. This includes logos, social media graphics, and websites.
- Pay: 200 GBP per day
- Where to find work: PeoplePerHour, Upwork, 99designs
- Tip: showcase your portfolio on Behance, Dribbble, or Canva
Using AI tools to grow income
AI isn’t a replacement, but it can make your life easier. Tools like Canva speed up design, Grammarly makes your writing shine, and AI chat assistants can help brainstorm ideas or polish pitches. AI helps you work faster, freeing time for high-value tasks.
Investment and financial options
These aren’t traditional nine-to-five jobs, but they’re handy ways to bring in a little extra without too much effort.
Online surveys and market research
If you’ve ever fancied getting paid for your opinions, online surveys are perfect. UK sites like Swagbucks, YouGov, and Prolific pay small amounts for sharing your views or completing quick research tasks. Realistically, you’re looking at 5-20 GBP a day if you’re consistent, which is enough to cover coffee or a streaming subscription.
Keep an eye out for focus groups or product testing for bigger payouts. UK platforms like Respondent.io or FocusForce sometimes pay 30-100 GBP for an hour of your time, especially if they’re looking for people with certain skills, languages, or backgrounds.
Cashback and rewards apps
Cashback apps like TopCashback, Quidco, and Airtime Rewards give you a percentage back when you shop. Link your card once, and the savings tick along in the background. Many people make 100-300 GBP a year this way, which could be useful for birthday or Christmas presents.
Some apps pay in vouchers or points, which can stretch your grocery or travel budget even further. For example, Shopmium refunds you on supermarket products, and banks like Monzo or Chase UK sometimes run cashback offers directly in their apps. The golden rule is to only use them on things you’d be buying anyway.
Low-risk investing apps
If you’re curious about investing but don’t want to dive straight into the stock market, beginner-friendly apps like Moneybox, Plum, or Nutmeg make it simple. They let you invest spare change or small amounts into diversified funds. Investing carries some risk, but these apps are regulated in the UK and designed for newcomers.
Getting started: practical steps
Once you’ve chosen a way to earn money from home in the UK, setting up properly makes everything run more smoothly.
Setting up your home office
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect desk to work from home. A laptop, strong Wi-Fi, and a quiet corner are usually enough. If your role involves video calls or customer support, invest in a decent headset or microphone.
Many people also find that creating a dedicated “work spot,” even if it’s just one end of the dining table, helps their brain switch into work mode and keeps distractions at bay.
Tax considerations and legal requirements
Money from home-based work counts as income, so it’s worth getting familiar with the basics. If you make more than 1,000 GBP a year outside of a standard job, you’ll need to register as self-employed with HMRC. Don’t worry, the process is straightforward and entirely online.
Avoiding scams
While most work-from-home jobs are legitimate, some are not. If it promises instant riches or asks for money up front, walk away. To double-check, you can look up UK companies on Companies House to see if they’re registered.
Staying balanced while working from home
Working from home has plenty of perks: no commute, comfy clothes, and the freedom to plan your own day. But sometimes the boundaries between “work” and “life” can blur pretty quickly.
Building a healthy routine
Try setting clear working hours and actually logging off when you’re done. Many people also find that setting small, realistic goals each morning makes work feel less overwhelming and more satisfying. Short breaks help too: stretch, make a cup of tea, or take a quick walk to reset.
Mental health resources in the UK
Spending lots of time at home can feel isolating, especially if you’re new to the UK and still building a support network.
The NHS Every Mind Matters hub offers advice you can use right away, and charities like Mind UK provide resources and community support for anyone struggling. Beyond official organisations, don’t underestimate the value of connection; local immigrant groups, community meetups, or even online forums can make a huge difference. Staying connected helps you protect your mental health, which in turn makes it easier to keep your income and motivation steady.
FAQs
How much can I realistically earn working from home in the UK?
It depends on the role. Customer service might bring in 9–15 GBP/hour, while tutoring can reach 40 GBP/hour. Freelancers often scale earnings as they build experience.
Do I need to pay tax on money earned from home?
Yes. Income from freelancing, gig work, or selling online is taxable. If you earn over 1,000 GBP a year outside employment, register with HMRC as self-employed.
What equipment do I need to start working from home?
At minimum: a computer, stable internet, and a quiet workspace. Optional extras include a webcam, headset, and backup internet (such as mobile data).
Can immigrants do these jobs?
Yes, as long as you have the legal right to work in the UK. Employers and platforms will require proof of right-to-work. Self-employed opportunities also require HMRC registration.