Benjamin Sharvell

July 29, 2026

How to Create an Expat Investment Strategy That Matches Your Life Abroad

BS

Benjamin Sharvell

Expert financial planner specialising in wealth management for expats

How to Create an Expat Investment Strategy That Matches Your Life Abroad

Moving overseas can open the door to exciting career opportunities, a higher income, and a different way of life. However, living abroad also brings financial complexity.

As an expat myself, I understand that your financial priorities often evolve as your life abroad develops.

Creating an expat investment strategy is not about choosing a handful of investments. It is about building a long-term financial plan that reflects your personal circumstances, future ambitions, and international lifestyle.

This guide explains the key steps to building an investment strategy that grows with you wherever life takes you.

Why Expats Need a Different Investment Strategy

Many people assume they can continue investing exactly as they did before moving overseas. Unfortunately, this can create unnecessary tax liabilities, currency risk, and even restrictions on certain investment products.

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An expat's financial life is often more complicated because it may involve:

  • Income earned in a foreign currency

  • UK assets alongside overseas assets

  • Multiple pension arrangements

  • Tax obligations across different countries

  • Future uncertainty about where retirement will take place

These factors mean that a standard investment plan designed for UK residents may no longer be suitable.

A carefully structured expat investment strategy helps ensure your investments continue supporting your financial goals while remaining flexible enough to adapt to changes in your residency and personal circumstances.

Step 1: Define What Your Future Looks Like

Before choosing investments, take time to consider what success actually looks like for you.

Your investment strategy should reflect your long-term plans rather than your current location alone. Expats often experience significant life changes, so understanding where you want to be in five, ten or twenty years helps you make decisions that remain suitable as your circumstances evolve.

Ask yourself the following questions.

1. Do You Expect to Return to the UK?

Your answer can influence everything from your investment choices to your pension planning and currency exposure.

If you expect to move back to the UK within the next few years, it may make sense to gradually align more of your investments with your future spending needs in pounds sterling. On the other hand, if your return date is uncertain, maintaining a globally diversified portfolio can provide greater flexibility.

For example:

If you plan to...Your investment strategy may focus on...
Return to the UK in 5 yearsBuilding assets in pounds sterling and reviewing UK tax considerations
Stay overseas indefinitelyMaintaining internationally diversified investments and tax-efficient structures
Move between several countriesKeeping your portfolio flexible and portable across jurisdictions

2. Could You Settle Permanently Overseas?

Many expats initially move abroad for work but later decide to remain there long term. If permanent residency is a possibility, your investment strategy should account for the financial rules and tax environment of your adopted country.

For instance, consider whether you may eventually:

  • Purchase a home overseas

  • Build retirement income in your new country

  • Leave assets to family members living abroad

  • Become permanently tax resident outside the UK

Planning for these possibilities early can help reduce costly adjustments later.

3. Might You Relocate to Another Country in the Future?

Many international professionals relocate several times during their careers. If this is likely, avoid creating an investment strategy that only works in one country.

Instead, prioritise flexibility by considering:

  • Globally diversified investments

  • International pension solutions where appropriate

  • Investment structures that can remain suitable after future relocations

  • Regular reviews as residency changes

The more portable your financial plan, the easier it becomes to adapt when opportunities arise.

4. When Would You Like to Retire?

Your retirement timeline largely determines how much investment risk you can reasonably take.

As a general guide:

Years until retirementTypical investment approach
More than 20 yearsGreater focus on long-term growth investments
10–20 yearsBalanced mix of growth and stability
Less than 10 yearsIncreasing emphasis on preserving accumulated wealth

For example, investing £500 per month over 25 years, assuming an average annual return of 6%, could grow to approximately £348,000. Starting ten years later under the same assumptions would produce significantly less, highlighting the value of beginning early.

5. What Lifestyle Do You Want in Retirement?

Rather than choosing an arbitrary retirement savings target, estimate the lifestyle you hope to enjoy.

Think about questions such as:

  • Where will you live?

  • Will you travel frequently?

  • Do you intend to own property outright?

  • Will you continue working part-time?

  • What annual income would allow you to live comfortably?

For example:

Retirement lifestyleEstimated annual income needed
Comfortable UK retirementAround £40,000–£50,000 per year (depending on personal circumstances)
Extensive international travelPotentially £60,000+ annually
Modest lifestyle with mortgage paid offPotentially £30,000–£35,000 annually

These figures are illustrative, but they demonstrate why defining your desired lifestyle is often more useful than setting an arbitrary savings goal.

6. Will You Need to Support Your Children's Education?

Education can represent one of the largest future expenses for expat families, particularly if you plan to send children to private schools or universities.

Planning early allows investments more time to grow before fees become due.

Consider:

  • When payments will be required

  • Whether costs will be in pounds sterling or another currency

  • How much you'll need to save regularly to meet your target

By matching your investment timeframe to expected education costs, you can reduce the risk of needing to withdraw investments during unfavourable market conditions.

7. Are You Hoping to Purchase Property?

Property goals should also be incorporated into your wider investment strategy.

For shorter-term purchases, preserving capital is usually more important than pursuing higher investment returns. If your purchase is still many years away, however, a diversified investment portfolio may offer greater growth potential than holding all your savings in cash.

Think about:

  • Where you intend to buy

  • Your expected purchase date

  • The currency you'll need

  • How much deposit you'll require

By planning ahead, you can ensure your investments remain aligned with your property timeline.

Step 2: Understand Your Tax Position

Once you have a clearer picture of what your future looks like, the next step is understanding how your tax position supports, or potentially hinders, those plans.

This naturally follows Step 1 because your investment decisions should be driven by your long-term goals, while your tax planning should help you achieve those goals as efficiently as possible. For example, someone planning to retire in the UK may benefit from a different investment structure than someone intending to remain overseas permanently. By knowing where you are heading first, you can make more informed tax decisions along the way.

Here are the key areas to review.

Determine Your Tax Residency

Your tax residency is one of the most important factors affecting your investment strategy. It determines which country has the right to tax your income, investment gains and, in some cases, your worldwide assets.

How SIPP works: A SIPP lets you open an account, make tax-relieved contributions, invest flexibly, access funds from age 55 (57 from 2028), and pass benefits to heirs tax-efficiently.

Tax residency is not always the same as your nationality or citizenship. Instead, it is usually based on factors such as:

  • How many days you spend in a country

  • Where your permanent home is located

  • Where your family lives

  • Where your economic interests are based

Because tax residency can change as your circumstances change, it should be reviewed regularly, particularly if you relocate or split your time between countries.

Understand Double Taxation Agreements

One concern many expats have is whether they will pay tax twice on the same income.

Fortunately, the UK has Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with many countries. These agreements help determine which country has the primary right to tax certain types of income and can reduce or eliminate double taxation.

For example:

Type of incomeTax treatment may depend on...
Employment incomeWhere the work is carried out and your tax residency
Pension incomeThe terms of the relevant tax treaty
Dividend incomeThe countries involved and applicable withholding tax rules
Rental incomeWhere the property is located

While tax treaties can provide valuable relief, the rules differ between countries. This is why understanding the agreement relevant to your circumstances is so important.

Consider Capital Gains Tax

Selling an investment at a profit may trigger Capital Gains Tax (CGT), but the rules vary significantly depending on where you are tax resident.

For example, if you dispose of shares, investment funds or property, you should consider:

  • Whether capital gains are taxable in your country of residence

  • Whether UK tax still applies to certain assets

  • The timing of any planned disposals

  • Available reliefs or exemptions

In some cases, delaying or bringing forward the sale of an investment could produce a more favourable tax outcome. Planning ahead rather than reacting afterwards can make a meaningful difference.

Review How Investment Income Is Taxed

Different investments generate different types of income, and each may be taxed differently depending on where you live.

This could include:

  • Dividend income from shares

  • Interest earned on savings

  • Bond income

  • Rental income from property

  • Investment distributions from funds

Understanding how each income source is taxed helps you compare investments based on their after-tax return rather than simply their advertised performance.

After all, what ultimately matters is how much of your investment return you actually keep.

Understand Offshore Investment Rules

Many expats consider offshore investments because they can offer flexibility for internationally mobile individuals. However, "offshore" does not automatically mean "tax-free."

Each country has its own rules governing how offshore investments are treated, and the tax consequences can vary considerably depending on where you are resident.

Before investing offshore, consider:

  • Whether the investment is recognised in your country of residence

  • How investment gains will be taxed

  • Any reporting obligations that apply

  • Whether the structure complements your long-term financial plans

Choosing the right structure from the outset is often far more effective than trying to correct unsuitable arrangements later.

Stay on Top of Reporting Requirements

Even if you have no additional tax to pay, you may still need to report overseas investments or financial accounts to the relevant tax authorities.

Reporting requirements differ between countries and may include:

  • Overseas investment accounts

  • Foreign bank accounts

  • Rental properties

  • Pension arrangements

  • Investment income earned abroad

Keeping accurate records throughout the year can make tax reporting much simpler and reduce the risk of errors or unexpected penalties.

Think Beyond This Year's Tax Bill

It's easy to focus on reducing tax today, but a successful expat investment strategy considers the bigger picture.

For example, choosing an investment solely because it offers a short-term tax benefit may not be the best decision if it limits your flexibility when you eventually retire, relocate or pass on your wealth.

Instead, aim to build a tax-efficient strategy that supports your long-term goals identified in Step 1. When your investments, tax planning and future plans all work together, you're far more likely to achieve lasting financial success.

Step 3: Consider Currency Risk

Once you've established your financial goals and understood your tax position, the next step is to consider how currency movements could affect your wealth.

Here are the key areas to consider.

Identify Which Currency You'll Need in the Future

Start by thinking about where you'll actually spend your money in the years ahead.

Ask yourself questions such as:

  • Will you retire in the UK?

  • Do you plan to buy property overseas?

  • Will your children attend university in another country?

  • Which currency will fund your everyday living expenses in retirement?

Your answers will help determine whether your investments should gradually become more aligned with pounds sterling or remain diversified across multiple currencies.

The objective isn't necessarily to invest only in one currency, but to ensure your portfolio supports your future spending needs.

SIPP advantages

Review Where Your Income and Assets Are Held

Many expats naturally accumulate wealth in different currencies over time.

For example, you might:

  • Earn your salary in US dollars.

  • Hold savings in UAE dirhams.

  • Own a UK property generating rental income in pounds sterling.

  • Have pension benefits denominated in pounds sterling.

While this diversification can provide opportunities, it also introduces currency exposure that should be managed rather than ignored.

Creating a simple overview of your finances can help identify where you may be overly reliant on one currency.

Financial AssetCurrency
SalaryUS Dollar (USD)
UK PensionPound Sterling (GBP)
Investment PortfolioUS Dollar (USD)
UK Rental PropertyPound Sterling (GBP)
Emergency SavingsEuro (EUR)

Seeing your assets laid out like this often makes currency concentration much easier to identify.

Understand How Exchange Rates Affect Your Wealth

Currency movements don't just affect holidays—they can significantly influence your investment outcomes.

Imagine your investment portfolio is worth the equivalent of £500,000 today because it is held in another currency.

If that currency were to weaken by 10% against the pound before you retire, your portfolio would effectively be worth around £450,000 when converted back into sterling.

Exchange Rate MovementApproximate Value of a £500,000 Portfolio
No change£500,000
Currency falls by 10%£450,000
Currency rises by 10%£550,000

This example is simplified, but it illustrates how exchange rates alone can materially affect the value of your wealth, even if your investments themselves have performed well.

Avoid Concentrating Everything in One Currency

It can feel reassuring to invest primarily in the currency you currently earn. However, this may increase your exposure if your future plans change.

For example, if you spend the next 15 years earning in US dollars but eventually retire in the UK, holding all your investments in dollars could leave your retirement income heavily dependent on future exchange rates.

Instead, many expats benefit from gradually building a diversified portfolio that reflects both their current circumstances and their long-term objectives.

Diversification may include exposure to:

  • Pounds sterling

  • US dollars

  • Euros

  • Other major global currencies where appropriate

The appropriate mix will depend entirely on your personal circumstances and future plans.

Plan Ahead for Major Currency Expenses

Some future goals involve large one-off payments, making exchange rates particularly important.

These might include:

  • Purchasing a home

  • Paying university tuition fees

  • Funding retirement

  • Relocating internationally

  • Supporting family members abroad

Knowing approximately when these expenses will arise allows you to prepare in advance rather than relying on whatever exchange rate happens to be available at the time.

For example, if you expect to purchase a property in the UK within the next three years, gradually increasing your exposure to pounds sterling may help reduce uncertainty.

Don't Let Currency Risk Dictate Your Investment Decisions

While currency is an important consideration, it should never become the sole factor driving your investment decisions.

A strong investment portfolio should first be built around your financial objectives, risk tolerance and investment timeframe. Currency planning should then support those decisions by helping preserve the value of your wealth when it is eventually needed.

In other words, don't chase exchange rate movements in the hope of making quick gains. Instead, focus on creating a balanced portfolio that remains suitable regardless of short-term currency fluctuations.

Step 4: Match Investments to Your Time Horizon

With your financial goals clearly defined, your tax position understood and your currency exposure reviewed, it's now time to decide how your money should be invested.

This step naturally follows the previous three because the investments you choose should support when you'll need your money, not just where you'll need it or how it will be taxed. Every financial goal has a different timeframe, and your investment strategy should reflect that.

As a general rule, the longer your investment horizon, the more time your portfolio has to recover from short-term market fluctuations. Conversely, money you'll need in the near future should usually be invested more cautiously.

Rather than treating all your savings the same, consider separating your investments according to their purpose.

1. Short-Term Goals (0–5 Years)

Money you'll need within the next few years should generally prioritise stability over growth.

This could include saving for:

  • A property deposit

  • A planned relocation

  • Children's school fees

  • A new business venture

  • An emergency fund

Because these goals are approaching, a significant market downturn could reduce the value of your investments just when you need to access them. For this reason, lower-risk investments or cash savings are often more suitable for short-term objectives.

Typical Short-Term GoalsInvestment Priority
Emergency savingsCapital preservation
House depositStability and accessibility
Relocation costsLow volatility
School feesEasy access to funds

While returns may be lower, protecting your capital is often more important than pursuing higher growth over shorter periods.

2. Medium-Term Goals (5–10 Years)

With a slightly longer timeframe, you can usually accept a little more investment risk in exchange for greater growth potential.

Medium-term goals may include:

  • Paying university tuition fees

  • Purchasing a larger home

  • Expanding a property portfolio

  • Starting a business

  • Building wealth before retirement

Because you'll have several years before needing the money, your portfolio has more opportunity to recover from temporary market volatility.

A balanced investment approach often provides a suitable compromise between growth and stability.

3. Long-Term Goals (10+ Years)

Long-term goals, particularly retirement planning, typically allow investors to focus more heavily on long-term growth.

Examples include:

  • Retirement income

  • Leaving an inheritance

  • Long-term wealth accumulation

  • Financial independence

While investment markets naturally rise and fall over time, history has shown that longer investment periods generally reduce the impact of short-term volatility.

This doesn't eliminate investment risk, but it does provide more time for your investments to recover from market downturns and benefit from long-term compounding.

Why Time in the Market Matters

One of the greatest advantages long-term investors have is time.

The earlier you begin investing, the longer your returns have to compound, allowing your investments to generate returns on previous gains.

For example:

Monthly InvestmentInvestment PeriodAssumed Annual ReturnApproximate Value
£50010 years6%£82,000
£50020 years6%£231,000
£50030 years6%£502,000

Figures are illustrative only and are not guarantees of future investment performance.

Notice that doubling the investment period from 10 to 20 years does far more than double the final value. This demonstrates the power of compound growth and why starting early can make a significant difference.

Avoid Investing Every Goal the Same Way

A common mistake is placing all your money into a single investment portfolio regardless of when you'll need it.

Instead, consider assigning each financial goal its own investment strategy.

For example:

Financial GoalTime HorizonPossible Investment Approach
Emergency fundImmediateCash savings
Home purchase3 yearsLower-risk investments or cash
Children's university fees10 yearsBalanced investment portfolio
Retirement25 yearsGrowth-focused diversified portfolio

By matching investments to each goal individually, you reduce the likelihood of withdrawing money during an unfavourable market period.

Review Your Time Horizon as Life Changes

Your investment timeframe isn't fixed. As life evolves, so should your investment strategy.

Review your portfolio whenever significant events occur, such as:

  • Moving to another country

  • Buying property

  • Getting married

  • Having children

  • Receiving an inheritance

  • Approaching retirement

For example, an investment originally intended for retirement may need to be adjusted if you decide to purchase a property much sooner than expected.

Regular reviews help ensure your investments remain aligned with both your goals and your timeline.

Step 5: Build a Diversified Portfolio

Now that you've identified your financial goals, considered your tax position, assessed your currency exposure and matched your investments to your time horizon, it's time to decide how to spread your investments.

Diversification is one of the most effective ways to manage investment risk over the long term. Rather than relying on one company, one country or one type of investment, you spread your money across different assets so that no single investment has an outsized impact on your overall portfolio.

Here are the key principles to consider.

Spread Your Investments Across Different Asset Classes

Different asset classes tend to perform differently under changing economic conditions.

For example, shares may perform well during periods of economic growth, while bonds may offer greater stability during market uncertainty. Holding a combination of different assets can therefore help smooth returns over time.

A diversified portfolio may include:

  • Global equities (shares)

  • Government and corporate bonds

  • Property investments

  • Cash and cash equivalents

  • Alternative investments, where appropriate

Each asset class plays a different role within your portfolio, helping to balance both risk and potential returns.

Asset ClassPrimary Purpose
Global equitiesLong-term growth
BondsStability and income
PropertyDiversification and potential income
CashLiquidity and short-term security
Alternative investmentsAdditional diversification where suitable

The right mix will depend on your objectives, investment timeframe and tolerance for risk.

Diversify Across Countries and Regions

As an expat, it's easy to develop a financial bias towards either your home country or your current country of residence.

However, concentrating too much of your wealth in one market can increase your exposure to local economic conditions.

Instead of investing predominantly in one country, consider spreading your investments across global markets.

For example, a diversified portfolio may include exposure to:

  • The UK

  • North America

  • Europe

  • Asia-Pacific

  • Emerging markets

Global diversification allows your portfolio to benefit from growth opportunities around the world while reducing reliance on the performance of a single economy.

Avoid Putting Too Much Into One Investment

Even if you strongly believe in a particular company, sector or investment theme, concentrating too much of your portfolio in one area increases risk.

For example, imagine investing £100,000.

Investment ApproachOutcome if Investment Falls by 20%
Entire portfolio invested in one companyPortfolio falls to £80,000
Spread across 20 different investmentsOverall impact is likely to be significantly lower, depending on the rest of the portfolio

This simple example illustrates why diversification remains one of the cornerstones of long-term investing.

Rather than trying to predict which investment will perform best each year, focus on building a portfolio that can perform consistently across a variety of market conditions.

Consider Diversification Beyond Investments

For expats, diversification isn't only about investments themselves.

It's also worth considering diversification across:

  • Currencies

  • Income sources

  • Geographic locations

  • Pension arrangements

  • Property holdings

For example, if your salary, investment portfolio and property are all tied to the same country, your financial wellbeing may become heavily dependent on the performance of that single economy.

A broader approach can help create greater financial resilience over the long term.

Rebalance Your Portfolio Regularly

Diversification isn't something you do once and forget.

Over time, some investments will perform better than others, causing your original asset allocation to drift.

For example:

Original AllocationAfter Strong Equity Growth
Equities: 60%Equities: 72%
Bonds: 40%Bonds: 28%

Although your portfolio has grown, it may now carry more risk than you originally intended.

Periodic rebalancing involves reviewing your portfolio and adjusting your holdings so they continue to reflect your long-term investment strategy rather than recent market performance.

This disciplined approach helps prevent emotional decision-making and keeps your portfolio aligned with your objectives.

Step 6: Don't Forget Your Pension

By now, you've built the key components of your expat investment strategy. However, there's one asset many expats overlook when reviewing their overall wealth: their pension.

Here are the key areas to consider.

Take Stock of All Your Pension Arrangements

Many expats accumulate several pensions throughout their careers, particularly if they've worked in different countries or changed employers.

You may have:

  • A UK workplace pension

  • A personal pension

  • An overseas employer pension

  • An international pension arrangement

  • Additional retirement savings

Rather than viewing each pension in isolation, start by creating a complete overview of your retirement assets.

For example:

Pension ArrangementCountryStill Contributing?
UK Workplace PensionUKNo
Personal PensionUKYes
Overseas Employer PensionSingaporeYes
International Retirement PlanInternationalNo

Having a clear picture of your existing pensions makes it much easier to identify opportunities, avoid duplication and plan for retirement more effectively.

Review Whether Your Pension Still Meets Your Needs

Just because a pension was suitable when you first moved abroad doesn't mean it remains the best option today.

Your circumstances may have changed significantly since then.

For example:

  • You may have relocated to another country.

  • Your salary may have increased.

  • Your retirement plans may have changed.

  • Your investment objectives may have evolved.

Reviewing your pension regularly helps ensure it continues to support your long-term goals rather than simply remaining unchanged out of convenience.

Consider How Your Pension Fits Into Your Overall Portfolio

One of the most common mistakes I see is treating pensions and investment portfolios separately.

Instead, look at your wealth as a whole.

For example, if your pension is already heavily invested in global equities, you may decide to take a more balanced approach with your other investments.

Likewise, if your pension takes a more cautious approach, your investment portfolio may provide greater opportunity for long-term growth.

By considering all your assets together, you can create a more balanced overall investment strategy.

Think Carefully Before Transferring a Pension

Some expats explore transferring existing pensions into different arrangements, particularly after moving overseas.

While a transfer may be appropriate in some circumstances, it isn't automatically the right solution for everyone.

Before making any decisions, consider factors such as:

  • Your country of residence

  • Future retirement plans

  • Tax implications

  • Investment flexibility

  • Fees and charges

  • Available retirement benefits

A pension transfer is a significant financial decision and should always be assessed carefully in light of your wider financial objectives.

Understand Where You'll Draw Your Retirement Income

Your retirement income may come from several different sources.

For example:

  • UK pensions

  • Overseas pensions

  • Personal investments

  • Property income

  • State pension benefits, where applicable

Thinking about how these income streams will work together can help you estimate whether you'll have sufficient income to support your desired lifestyle.

For example:

Retirement Income SourceEstimated Annual Income
UK Personal Pension£18,000
Overseas Pension£12,000
Investment Portfolio£10,000
Rental Property£8,000
Total Annual Income£48,000

Figures are for illustration purposes only.

Looking at retirement income collectively often provides a much clearer picture than reviewing each pension separately.

Continue Reviewing Pension Contributions

As your career progresses, your pension contributions should evolve alongside your earnings and financial goals.

For example, you may wish to review your contributions after:

  • Receiving a promotion

  • Changing employers

  • Relocating overseas

  • Paying off a mortgage

  • Receiving a bonus or inheritance

Even relatively small increases in regular pension contributions can make a significant difference over the long term due to compound growth.

Reviewing contributions regularly helps ensure you're making the most of your earning potential while working abroad.

Seek Professional Advice for International Pension Planning

Pensions can become significantly more complex once you live and work internationally.

Questions surrounding tax residency, pension transfers, retirement income and multiple pension arrangements often require careful planning.

Professional advice from a reputable adviser, such as Benjamin Sharvell IFA, can help you understand how your pensions fit within your wider financial strategy and ensure your retirement planning remains aligned with your long-term objectives.

Step 7: Review Your Strategy Regularly

By this stage, you've built a comprehensive expat investment strategy. You've defined your long-term goals, understood your tax position, considered currency risk, matched your investments to your time horizon, built a diversified portfolio and incorporated your pension into your overall financial plan.

However, even the most carefully designed strategy should never be left on autopilot.

This final step brings everything together because your financial plan should evolve alongside your life abroad. As your circumstances change, your investment strategy should change with them to ensure it continues supporting your long-term objectives.

Regular reviews help you stay on track, identify new opportunities and make informed adjustments before small issues become larger problems.

Here are the key areas to review.

Review Your Goals as Your Life Changes

Your financial goals today may not be the same five or ten years from now.

Life abroad often brings unexpected opportunities and changes, such as:

  • Relocating to another country

  • Returning to the UK

  • Getting married

  • Growing your family

  • Starting a business

  • Purchasing property

  • Preparing for retirement

Each of these milestones may affect your investment priorities.

For example, an investor who originally planned to retire overseas may later decide to return to the UK, requiring changes to their investment structure, currency exposure and retirement planning.

Reviewing your goals regularly helps ensure your financial plan continues reflecting the life you actually want—not the one you planned years ago.

Check Whether Your Portfolio Still Matches Your Risk Tolerance

Over time, your attitude towards investment risk may naturally change.

For example:

  • Younger investors often focus on long-term growth.

  • Investors approaching retirement may prioritise preserving wealth.

  • Major life events may increase the importance of financial security.

Your portfolio should continue reflecting both your financial objectives and your comfort with investment risk.

If your circumstances change, it may be appropriate to rebalance your investments accordingly.

Reassess Your Tax Position

Tax legislation evolves, and so do your personal circumstances.

Even if you haven't moved country recently, changes to residency status, employment, investment income or local tax rules may affect your financial planning.

During each review, consider whether:

  • Your tax residency has changed.

  • New tax rules affect your investments.

  • Your investment structure remains tax-efficient.

  • Future retirement plans require adjustments.

Small changes today may help prevent larger tax liabilities in the future.

health insurance in Vietnam

Monitor Your Currency Exposure

As your investments grow and your future plans develop, your exposure to different currencies may also change.

For example, you may begin:

  • Earning income in another currency.

  • Purchasing overseas property.

  • Building investments in additional markets.

  • Planning retirement in a different country.

Reviewing your currency exposure periodically helps ensure your portfolio continues supporting your future spending needs rather than creating unnecessary exchange rate risk.

Keep Your Pension Under Review

Your pension should be reviewed alongside the rest of your investment portfolio rather than in isolation.

Regular reviews can help you determine whether:

  • Your pension contributions remain appropriate.

  • Your investment choices still reflect your retirement objectives.

  • Existing pension arrangements remain suitable after relocating.

  • Your retirement income projections remain on track.

A pension review is often most valuable when considered as part of your wider financial plan.

Rebalance Your Portfolio When Necessary

Investment markets rarely move in a straight line.

Over time, strong-performing investments naturally grow to represent a larger proportion of your portfolio, potentially increasing your exposure to risk.

For example:

Original AllocationAfter Several Years
Equities: 60%Equities: 75%
Bonds: 40%Bonds: 25%

Without periodic rebalancing, your portfolio may gradually become more aggressive than originally intended.

Reviewing your investments annually allows you to make measured adjustments while maintaining your long-term strategy.

Establish a Regular Review Schedule

Rather than reviewing your investments only when markets become volatile, establish a consistent review routine.

Many investors benefit from reviewing their financial plan:

  • Once each year

  • Following a major life event

  • After relocating to another country

  • When tax rules change

  • As retirement approaches

A regular review helps keep your strategy proactive rather than reactive.

The Value of Professional Financial Advice

International financial planning is rarely straightforward.

Investment decisions often overlap with taxation, pensions, estate planning, currency management and future residency.

Rather than focusing solely on selecting investments, professional financial advice helps bring all these areas together into one coordinated financial plan.

As a globally experienced financial adviser specialising in wealth management for expat clients, I understand both the opportunities and challenges that come with living internationally. Having experienced life abroad myself, I appreciate how important it is to create financial plans that remain flexible as your circumstances evolve.

My approach is collaborative, pragmatic and tailored to each client's objectives, helping expats build confidence in every stage of their financial journey.

How Benjamin Sharvell IFA Can Help

Every expat's circumstances are different, which is why I take the time to understand your goals before recommending suitable financial solutions.

I provide personalised advice across a wide range of areas, including:

Future Planning

A successful financial future starts with a clear plan.

Rather than focusing solely on investments, I help clients build comprehensive financial strategies that support both their immediate priorities and long-term ambitions. Working alongside technical and tax specialists where appropriate, I identify solutions that are tailored to your personal circumstances and future objectives.

Future planning services include:

  • Retirement Planning: Helping you estimate how much you'll need for retirement, identify potential income sources and build a strategy that supports the lifestyle you want to enjoy, whether you retire in the UK or overseas.

  • Education Fee Planning: Creating investment plans that help parents and grandparents prepare for future school or university costs without compromising other financial goals.

  • Pension Planning: Reviewing existing pension arrangements and helping ensure they complement your wider investment strategy while remaining aligned with your long-term retirement plans.

  • Succession Planning: Helping you organise your wealth so it can be transferred efficiently to future generations, taking into account your family circumstances and international considerations.

The objective is to provide clarity today while preparing you for tomorrow.

Savings Solutions

Making the most of your income while working abroad can have a significant impact on your long-term financial wellbeing.

I help expats develop disciplined savings strategies that balance accessibility with long-term growth, ensuring your money continues working towards your future goals rather than sitting idle.

Savings solutions include:

  • Regular Savings Plans: Building wealth gradually through consistent monthly contributions that benefit from long-term investment growth and compound returns.

  • Lump Sum Investment Solutions: Helping you invest bonuses, inheritances or accumulated savings in a way that aligns with your financial objectives and appetite for risk.

  • Foreign Exchange Guidance: Assisting with currency considerations when moving money internationally, helping you plan ahead for major financial commitments in different currencies.

  • Offshore Banking: Advising on offshore banking solutions where appropriate, helping internationally mobile clients manage their finances efficiently across different jurisdictions.

The right savings strategy can provide greater flexibility while helping you make the most of your earning potential abroad.

Pension Solutions

I help clients understand how their pension arrangements fit into their wider financial plan, ensuring their retirement savings remain aligned with their long-term goals.

Depending on your circumstances, I can provide guidance on:

  • UK pensions

  • Swiss pensions

  • Irish and European pensions

  • Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)

  • Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS)

  • Qualifying Non-UK Pension Schemes (QNUPS)

Property Solutions

Property often plays an important role in building long-term wealth, particularly for expats with financial interests in more than one country.

Property solutions include:

  • Property Investments: Helping you assess whether property aligns with your long-term objectives, risk profile and overall investment portfolio.

  • UK Mortgages: Assisting eligible expats in navigating the UK mortgage market, taking into account the additional considerations that often apply to overseas residents.

  • International Mortgages: Providing guidance on financing property purchases abroad while considering factors such as currency exposure, affordability and long-term financial planning.

The aim is to ensure property supports your wider wealth-building strategy while managing unnecessary financial risk.

Insurance Solutions

Building wealth is important, but protecting it is equally essential.

Unexpected events can affect even the most carefully prepared financial plan, which is why appropriate protection should form part of a comprehensive financial strategy.

Insurance solutions include:

  • Health Insurance: Helping you identify suitable health insurance options that provide access to quality medical care while living and working abroad.

  • Life Insurance: Helping protect your family's financial security by ensuring they have appropriate financial support should the unexpected happen.

The right protection provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on achieving your financial goals with greater confidence.

Ready to Build an Expat Investment Strategy That Works for You?

No two expat journeys are the same, which is why your financial plan should be tailored to your personal goals, lifestyle and future ambitions. A well-designed expat investment strategy can help you make the most of your time abroad while keeping your long-term objectives firmly in sight.

If you'd like personalised guidance on managing your investments, pensions or wider financial planning, I'd be delighted to help.

Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can build a strategy that's designed around you and your life abroad!

Get a free consultation today

Book a free, no-obligation consultation to see how independent advice can help you plan for retirement, protect your wealth, and make the most of life as an expat.

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