Relocating to a new country is an exciting chapter — but it’s also a complex one. There’s a long checklist of things to think about:
- Where you’ll live
- Visa or residency requirements
- Healthcare access
- Utility providers and cost of living
- Local driving rules and licences
- Whether you can bring your pets
- How you’ll meet people and integrate into the community
In the middle of all this, your finances may not feel like the most urgent concern. Yet for many expatriates — particularly those moving for work, retirement, or lifestyle — cross-border financial planning is the difference between a smooth transition and costly surprises.
At Blacktower Financial Management, we’ve spent decades helping expatriates manage their wealth internationally. And if there’s one truth we see repeatedly, it’s this:
Financial plans built for your home country rarely work exactly the same once you cross borders.
Why Domestic Financial Planning Doesn’t Travel Well
Most people begin their wealth journey with a domestic financial adviser. If you’re from the UK, that could mean pensions, ISAs, and UK-focused investments. If you’re from the US, it might mean IRAs, 401(k)s, and a tax plan that leverages US exemptions.
The problem? Tax laws, investment regulations, and estate rules are country-specific. Once you change residency, those carefully crafted plans can quickly become inefficient — or even counterproductive.
Example: US Estate Tax Rules Abroad
A US-based adviser may assume you’ll benefit from the current $13 million federal estate tax exemption. But if you’ve moved overseas, the rules can change significantly. In some cases, your exemption could be as low as $60,000, with the remainder taxed at up to 40%. Without proper structuring, your heirs could face a substantial and unexpected bill.
Example: UK Investments in France
If you relocate from the UK to France, an adviser back home might not consider that ISAs are not tax-free in France. Gains from those accounts could be subject to French capital gains tax. In many cases, expatriates are better off restructuring before they become French tax residents — potentially cashing out ISAs tax-free in the UK and reinvesting in locally efficient vehicles like an assurance vie.
These examples aren’t about bad advice — they’re about advice that’s only right in one country.
The Hidden Risk: Partial Planning
Even if your original adviser provides excellent investment guidance — selecting strong funds, balancing allocations, and managing volatility — the structural side of planning is often overlooked. This includes:
- Tax treatment of existing investments in your new country
- Avoiding double taxation
- Managing currency risk
- Planning for cross-border estate and inheritance rules
- Choosing investment vehicles recognised by both jurisdictions
Without cross-border insight, you may end up with a strong investment portfolio that is tax-inefficient or even non-compliant locally.
Smart Investing Needs Cross-Border Thinking
Every country has its own rules, incentives, and investment structures. A good example is France’s assurance vie — a flexible, tax-efficient investment wrapper that offers both wealth growth and estate planning benefits.
A UK or US domestic adviser may never suggest this, simply because it doesn’t exist in their home system. But for a British or American expatriate in France, it can be a core building block for tax optimisation and legacy planning.
Similarly, an adviser in Portugal might recommend certain structures to take advantage of favourable regimes for new residents — but those same investments may need to be adjusted if you later move to Spain or return to the UK.
The key takeaway? Cross-border professionals look beyond the next 12 months. They plan for where you are now, where you might move next, and how your financial life will evolve.
Blacktower’s Global Approach
No single adviser can know the ins and outs of every country’s tax code — but a global network can.
At Blacktower, we have offices and regulated advisers across multiple jurisdictions in Europe, the Middle East, the US, and the Caribbean. This means:
- You work with someone who understands the rules where you live today
- You have access to advice for where you may go next
- We can coordinate with local tax , legal, and other professionals
Our network allows us to maintain continuity. If you move from the UK to Portugal, then on to France, you don’t have to “start over” with a new adviser every time. We simply connect you to the relevant professionals within our team and adapt your plan.
Why Tax Coordination Is Critical
For expatriates — especially those with US, UK, or dual tax obligations — compliance mistakes can be costly.
The IRS, HMRC, and EU tax authorities all take reporting seriously. Misfiling or misunderstanding your obligations can lead to penalties and interest charges, even if the error was unintentional.
Blacktower does not provide tax advice directly, but we work closely with trusted tax advisers in multiple jurisdictions. This means your financial plan and your tax strategy are aligned from the start — avoiding conflicts and ensuring efficiency.
Building a Financial Plan for a Global Life
Whether you are:
- Retiring overseas
- Taking up an international work posting
- Moving for lifestyle reasons
- Returning home after years abroad
…the principles remain the same:
- Review existing investments and pensions for local tax treatment.
- Consider restructuring before you change residency to take advantage of current tax efficiencies.
- Use locally recognised investment vehicles to reduce ongoing tax exposure.
- Plan for estate and inheritance rules in both your home and host countries.
- Manage currency risk if your income and spending are in different currencies.
- Stay flexible so your plan can adapt if you move again.
The Blacktower Advantage
Since 1986, Blacktower Financial Management has been providing independent, regulated advice to expatriates worldwide. Our expertise includes:
- Cross-border wealth management
- Retirement and pension planning
- International investment strategies
- Estate and succession planning
- Residency-linked tax efficiency
With a presence in over 15 jurisdictions, we understand both the opportunities and challenges of living abroad — and we know how to help you make the most of them.
Final Thought: Don’t Let Your Finances Lag Behind Your Move
Relocating is about more than just a new home and a new lifestyle. It’s also about ensuring that the wealth you’ve built continues to grow, remains compliant, and supports your long-term goals — wherever you are in the world.
At Blacktower, we help you bridge the gap between where you’ve been and where you’re going. That means taking into account local rules, global mobility, and your personal vision for the future.
How Can We Help You?
If you’re planning a move abroad — or already living overseas — and want to help make sure your finances are working as hard as possible, speak to one of our cross-border professionals today.
📞 Contact Blacktower Financial Management to arrange a confidential consultation and start building a financial plan that truly travels with you.
Disclaimer:
This article is for information purposes only. Investment advice and investment advisory services offered and provided through Blacktower Financial Management US, LLC. This communication is for informational purposes only based on our understanding of current legislation and practices which are subject to change and are not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, tax advice, tax recommendations, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
Investment advice and investment advisory services offered and provided through Blacktower Financial Management US, LLC. This communication is for informational purposes only based on our understanding of current legislation and practices which are subject to change and are not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, tax advice, tax recommendations, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.