Expat Investment Guide

• Do you plan to return to your home country?
• Will you be sending money back regularly?
• What is your investment horizon—short-term cash needs, medium goals, or long-term retirement?
• How comfortable are you with risk?

Your answers shape your strategy. An adviser experienced in cross-border finance can help refine these priorities and design a tailored plan

• Prefer an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA)—they offer broader product access and must act in your best interest.
• Ensure they hold UK Level 4+ qualifications and maintain local licensing in your resident country.
• Seek fee transparency—fixed fee, percentage-based, or hourly; avoid commission-only models.

• ISAs: Retain tax-free growth even when abroad, though new contributions are restricted.
• Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs/iSIPPs): Offer tax relief, flexibility, and long-term savings.

• Provide tax-deferred growth and protect against IHT/capital controls—commonly used by expats in low-tax jurisdictions.

• Mix of ETFs, index trackers, mutual funds, and managed portfolios—tracker funds offer lower fees and transparent performance.

• Use tax treaties (DTAs) to avoid paying tax in two countries.
• Understand capital gains, dividend, and inheritance tax rules in your host country.
• For UK non-doms, awareness of changing regulations (e.g., remittance basis, foreign-income rules) is vital.

• Multi-currency accounts
• Currency-hedged funds
• Forward contracts to lock in exchange rates
• Withdrawal timing based on currency trends

• Spread investments across different asset classes (equities, bonds, real estate, cash) and geographies to buffer against currency and market volatility.
• Consider professional advice for tailored diversification goals.

• Keep costs low—tracker funds and flat-fee advisors often outperform high-fee, actively managed alternatives.
• Insist on full disclosure of all charges: adviser fees, platform costs, transaction and FX fees.