Expat Financial Advice · Independent IFA
Independent Financial Advice for UK Expats
Most UK financial advisers are not authorised to advise you once you live abroad. We are — providing independent, fee-transparent financial advice to UK nationals and non-residents worldwide, wherever you live.
Why it matters
Why expats need specialist financial advice
Issues that arise when you move abroad
- Your UK adviser may no longer be authorised to act for you
- UK ISAs lose their tax-free status for non-residents
- Pension drawdown from abroad requires NT tax code and DTT analysis
- HMRC forms and non-resident self-assessment are unfamiliar territory
- Your UK will may not be valid or enforceable locally
- UK protection policies often lapse or exclude overseas claims
- Currency risk materialises on sterling-denominated assets
What specialist advice delivers
- Advice that is legal and authorised in your country of residence
- Investment structures optimised for your non-resident tax position
- Pension management that avoids HMRC withholding tax where DTTs apply
- International protection that covers you wherever you live
- Estate planning that coordinates UK and local succession law
- A single adviser who sees the complete cross-border picture
- Ongoing review as your circumstances, location, and legislation change
Choosing an adviser
What to look for in an expat financial adviser
Regulated status
Verify that the adviser is authorised by a recognised regulator — FCA, CySEC, or the regulator of the country where they operate. Ask for their regulatory number and check it directly on the regulator's public register.
Independence
An independent adviser can select from the whole of the market. A restricted adviser is limited to a panel of providers. For international clients, independence matters: restricted advisers may be structurally biased towards products that pay them higher commission.
Fee transparency
All fees and remuneration should be disclosed in writing before advice is given. This includes initial fees, ongoing fees, and any commission from product providers. If an adviser is reluctant to disclose this clearly, that is a red flag.
Multi-jurisdiction experience
Expat advice requires practical knowledge of the interaction between UK and local tax rules. Ask specifically about experience with clients in your country of residence and with double taxation treaties that apply to your situation.
Pension transfer caution
A genuinely independent adviser will not recommend QROPS to most expat clients in 2026. If a prospective adviser recommends a pension transfer on a first meeting without detailed analysis of the OTC economics, be very cautious.
Ongoing relationship
Your financial position as an expat will evolve as laws change, as you move, and as your assets grow. An adviser who offers an ongoing annual review relationship — not just a one-off transaction — is the more valuable relationship.
Due diligence
Questions to ask a prospective expat adviser
- Are you authorised and regulated? Ask for the regulatory body and reference number. Verify it independently.
- How are you remunerated? Do you charge fees, take commission from providers, or both? Will you disclose this in writing?
- Are you independent or restricted? If restricted, what products are you unable to recommend?
- Do you have experience advising clients resident in my specific country? And with the double taxation treaty between the UK and that country?
- Do you recommend QROPS to most expat clients? A yes — without careful caveat — is a significant red flag now that the EEA exemption from the 25% Overseas Transfer Charge was removed on 30 October 2024.
- How many UK expat clients do you currently advise? And in which countries?
- Will you provide a written Statement of Suitability before any transaction? This is a regulatory requirement in most jurisdictions.
Our approach
How Global Investments is different
Global Investments has provided independent financial advice to internationally mobile individuals and UK expats for over 32 years. We are an independent international advisory firm and advise clients across the world, wherever UK nationals and non-residents settle.
We are independent. We are not owned by or tied to any investment provider, insurance group, or bank. We select from the full international market on behalf of each client. Our remuneration is disclosed in full before any advice is given.
We do not operate a transaction model. Our advice relationships are ongoing — we review client positions at least annually and whenever legislation or personal circumstances change. We coordinate across all areas of the client's finances rather than advising in silos.
We have never recommended a QROPS transfer where the 25% OTC made the economics unworkable. We will tell you clearly when something is not in your interest — even if that means lower remuneration for us.
Our services
Expat financial advice — services overview
UK Pension Advice
SIPP management, QROPS assessment, NT tax codes, drawdown as a non-resident, and DB transfer analysis for UK expats.
Learn more →International Investments
Offshore bonds, international portfolio management, fund selection, and investment structures suited to your country of residence.
Learn more →Tax Planning
Non-resident status, domicile, double taxation treaties, CGT, IHT, pre-departure planning, and ongoing UK reporting obligations.
Learn more →International Protection
Life insurance, income protection, critical illness, and international private medical insurance for non-UK residents.
Learn more →Estate Planning
Cross-border wills, international probate, trusts, and succession planning that coordinates UK and local law.
Learn more →Citizenship & Residency
Golden Visa programmes, citizenship by investment, and residency planning for internationally mobile individuals.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Expat financial advice — common questions
Why can't my UK financial adviser advise me now I live abroad?
UK-authorised financial advisers are regulated by the FCA to provide advice to UK residents. Once you become resident in another country, your UK adviser is generally not authorised to continue advising you — doing so would breach the regulatory requirements of your new country of residence. Most UK advisers will terminate the relationship when you inform them of your move. This is frustrating but correct — you need an adviser who is authorised in your country of residence, or who operates under an international advisory framework that covers the relevant jurisdiction.
What does "independent" financial advice mean for expats?
An independent financial adviser is not tied to any particular product provider, insurance company, or investment platform. They are able to select from the whole of the market to find the most suitable product for your circumstances. The alternative — a restricted or tied adviser — can only recommend products from a limited panel or from a single provider. For expat clients, independence is particularly important: tied advisers may be incentivised to recommend QROPS transfers or specific offshore bonds purely because they generate higher commission, regardless of whether they are in the client's best interest.
How should an expat financial adviser charge for their services?
Transparent fee structures are the clearest sign of genuine independence. An adviser should disclose upfront exactly how they are remunerated — whether by ongoing fee, initial fee, percentage of assets, or commission from product providers. Where commission is received from providers, it should be disclosed in full and offset against your fees. Be wary of advisers who do not disclose remuneration clearly, or who recommend products that carry high initial charges without adequate justification.
What is a red flag when choosing an expat financial adviser?
Several warning signs indicate potential misalignment between the adviser's interests and yours: recommending QROPS to the majority of expat clients (often commission-driven, especially since the EEA exemption from the 25% Overseas Transfer Charge was removed on 30 October 2024, leaving the economics poor for most); pushing high-commission offshore bonds without exploring alternatives; lack of transparency on fees; unregulated status; pressure to make decisions quickly; promises of high guaranteed returns; and no disclosure of conflicts of interest. Always check that an adviser is properly authorised in their claimed jurisdiction.
Do I need a financial adviser who is physically based in my country?
Not necessarily. What matters is that your adviser is authorised to advise clients resident in your country and has experience with the tax and regulatory environment there. Global Investments is an independent international advisory firm serving internationally mobile clients worldwide. We coordinate with local tax professionals in each country when jurisdiction-specific legal or tax advice is required.
What areas does expat financial advice cover?
Comprehensive expat financial advice covers: UK pension management and potential consolidation; non-resident tax status and reporting obligations; offshore investment structures; international life insurance and income protection; estate planning across multiple jurisdictions; currency risk management; and citizenship or residency planning. Few advisers genuinely cover all of these — at Global Investments, we have specialists in each area who work together on a single coordinated client relationship.
How do I know if my existing expat adviser is giving me good advice?
The most useful test is whether your adviser has clearly explained the reasoning behind each recommendation, disclosed how they are paid, and shown you the alternatives they considered. If you have been advised to transfer to a QROPS but cannot clearly articulate why the 25% Overseas Transfer Charge makes sense in your case, that is a significant concern. If you are invested in high-charge structured products with long lock-in periods, you should seek a second opinion. We offer independent second-opinion reviews at no charge.
Can I get a second opinion on advice I've already received?
Yes, and we actively encourage this. If you have received a recommendation from another adviser — particularly regarding a pension transfer, QROPS, or a high-value investment — and you are uncertain whether it is in your best interests, we will review it independently and give you an honest assessment. There is no charge for an initial second opinion review and no obligation to proceed with us.
Book a free initial consultation
A free 45-minute consultation covers your financial position, where the key risks and opportunities are, and whether there is a case for more detailed advice. No obligation, no pressure, and no recommendation until we have a complete picture.
Book your free expat financial consultation
Whether you have just moved abroad or have been overseas for years, our independent advisers can review your full financial picture — pensions, tax, investments, protection, and estate planning — at no cost and no obligation.