Expat Financial Advice Guide2025-12-02T18:31:05+00:00

Expat Financial Adviser Guide

A guide for UK expatriates seeking transparent, expert, cross border financial planning

Why Choosing the Right Adviser Matters When You Live Abroad

Living overseas adds complexity to almost every aspect of financial decision making. Multiple tax systems, unfamiliar rules, foreign currency exposure and changes in residency can all make planning more difficult. For UK expatriates, these challenges are often increased by the presence of offshore advisers whose incentives are not always aligned with the client.

The right adviser brings clarity, avoids unnecessary costs, and ensures your wealth is structured intelligently across borders. The wrong adviser can leave you locked into expensive, restrictive products for many years.

This guide sets out what good expat financial advice looks like and how to recognise it.

The Financial Challenges Faced by UK Expatriates

Expatriates often need to navigate:

  • Tax residency and its interaction with UK rules
  • The effect of Double Taxation Agreements
  • Managing UK pensions from overseas
  • Domicile and inheritance tax exposure
  • Currency considerations
  • Estate planning across multiple jurisdictions
  • Planning for a possible return to the UK
  • Investment structures that remain appropriate internationally

What Makes Expat Advice Different

High quality international planning requires an adviser with strong technical knowledge and experience across multiple jurisdictions. A credible adviser should understand:

Cross border taxation

How UK tax interacts with the tax regime in your country of residence.

Residency, domicile and succession

Essential for families with international assets or long term global mobility.

UK pensions for expatriates

SIPPs, QROPS, safeguarded benefits, withdrawal strategies, and the inheritance tax implications of pension choices.

Investment structures

Clean charged offshore bonds, global platforms, custodial arrangements and multi currency portfolios.

Regulation

Genuine oversight from an authority such as the FCA in the UK, the DFSA in Dubai or the SFC in Hong Kong.

Why this matters

Proper regulation protects you. Lack of regulation exposes you to unnecessary risk.

Why Transparency Matters

A significant number of expatriates are introduced to advisers whose income comes from commissions paid by product providers. These products often include:

  • Insurance linked savings plans
  • Commission laden offshore bonds
  • Long term policies with surrender penalties
  • Plans where charges are hidden inside complex fee structures

For high earners, the long term cost can be substantial.

Fee based advice removes these conflicts

A transparent adviser is paid by you, not by a product provider. This ensures:

  • No commissions
  • No lock ins
  • No surrender penalties
  • Full disclosure of all fees
  • Advice based solely on your best interests
  • Flexibility if you relocate or change adviser

If an adviser cannot clearly explain how they are paid, that is reason for concern.

A Typical Expat Scenario

John, a UK expatriate in Dubai, was advised to invest in a policy marketed as a tax efficient long term savings plan. The adviser received a seven percent commission and the policy included a ten year lock in.

Despite strong market performance, the majority of Johns early returns were absorbed by charges.

A fee based adviser would have offered completely transparent costs and a flexible portfolio aligned with Johns actual goals.

What Good Expat Advice Looks Like

A high quality international adviser should offer:

Proper regulation and qualifications

Verifiable FCA, DFSA or SFC oversight and strong professional accreditation.

Transparent, fee only charging

No commissions and no product sales incentives.

Cross border expertise

Deep understanding of international tax, residency, pensions and succession.

Evidence based investing

Global diversification, institutional research and long term discipline.

Ongoing support

Regular reviews, clear reporting and proactive communication.

Independent validation

Verified testimonials, third party reviews and credible media presence.

Speak with an expert

If you would like to know more about this topic, get in touch today

Table 1: Fee Based Adviser vs Commission Based Adviser

Feature Fee Based Adviser Commission Based Adviser
How they are paid You pay the adviser directly Product provider pays the adviser
Conflicts of interest None High
Transparency Clear and complete Often limited
Lock ins and penalties None Common
Flexibility Full liquidity and freedom Limited and costly to exit
Alignment with client interest Strong Weak
Suitable for HNW expats Yes Rarely

Table 2: What Good Expat Advice Includes

  • Regulation: Confirmed regulatory oversight – e.g. the FCA in the UK

  • Qualifications: Chartered or equivalent

  • Cross border knowledge: UK tax, residency, domicile and treaties

  • Investment approach: Evidence based and diversified

  • Cost clarity: Fully disclosed in writing

  • Service: Regular reviews and clear accountability

  • Flexibility: Ability to move or change adviser without penalty

Common Expat Pitfalls and Better Alternatives

Buying long term savings plans with hidden charges
Using clean, liquid, transparent platforms
Transferring pensions without analysis
Full suitability assessment first
Mixing currencies without strategy
Defined, long term currency management
Ignoring domicile
Early inheritance tax planning
Using unsuitable offshore bonds
Clean charged modern structures only where appropriate
Working with unregulated advisers
Verifying regulatory status first

Checklists for Expatriates

Checklist 1: Essential Questions to Ask Any Adviser

Before you engage anyone, ask:

  • How are you paid, and by whom
  • Are any commissions involved
  • What is the total cost in cash terms
  • Are there any penalties or restrictions
  • Who regulates you
  • Can I confirm this on the regulator website
  • How often will you review my plan
  • What happens if I relocate
  • What happens if I change adviser
  • What investment approach do you use
  • Do you advise other UK expatriates
  • Can you support me if I return to the UK

Checklist 2: What Good Expat Planning Should Cover

A comprehensive plan should address:

  • Tax residency
  • Domicile and inheritance tax exposure
  • Pension planning
  • Cash flow needs in multiple currencies
  • Portable and efficient investment structures
  • Double Taxation Agreements
  • Future relocation or return to the UK
  • Estate planning across borders
  • Temporary Non Residence rules
  • Suitable protection arrangements

Checklist 3: Warning Signs of a Poor Adviser

Avoid advisers who:

  • Cannot explain their charges
  • Recommend products with penalties
  • Promise guaranteed returns
  • Create urgency or pressure
  • Avoid questions about regulation
  • Focus on products rather than planning
  • Offer complex structures without clear benefit
  • Do not provide written cost disclosures

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between fee based and commission based advice?2025-12-02T10:13:10+00:00

Fee based advisers are paid by you. Commission based advisers are paid by providers, creating potential conflicts.

Are offshore investment bonds always unsuitable?2025-12-02T10:13:33+00:00

No. Older versions are often expensive. Clean charged modern bonds can be useful in certain cases.

Can I keep my UK pension if I live abroad?2025-12-02T10:13:53+00:00

Yes. Most UK pensions can remain invested.

Do I need UK advice if I hold UK assets?2025-12-02T10:14:12+00:00

Yes, especially if you expect to return or have UK property, pensions or family in the UK.

Do I need a UK adviser if I have no intention of returning to the UK?2025-12-02T10:14:34+00:00

Often yes. If you have UK pensions, UK property, UK family beneficiaries or potential UK inheritance tax exposure through domicile, UK regulated advice remains important even if you plan to live abroad permanently.

How do I check if an adviser is properly regulated?2025-12-02T10:14:54+00:00

Ask for the regulator name, licence number and jurisdiction. You can verify this directly on the FCA Register, the DFSA Public Register or the SFC Licensed Persons Register. If details are vague or unverifiable, do not proceed.

What should I expect to pay for high quality fee based advice?2025-12-02T10:15:14+00:00

Costs vary but should always be clear and agreed in writing. Expatriates usually pay either a fixed fee for planning or a percentage based fee for ongoing management. The important point is transparency and the absence of commissions.

What documents should an adviser provide before I commit to anything?2025-12-02T10:15:39+00:00

You should receive:

  • A written explanation of fees in monetary terms
  • A clear outline of the service agreed
  • A regulatory disclosure document
  • A summary of risks
  • A suitability report once recommendations are made

Anything less is inadequate.

Is it necessary to consolidate my pensions when living abroad?2025-12-02T10:16:00+00:00

Not necessarily. Consolidation is only appropriate when it improves structure, cost, flexibility or oversight. An adviser should demonstrate the benefits clearly rather than encouraging consolidation for convenience or fees.

How do currency fluctuations affect expatriate investors?2025-12-02T10:16:29+00:00

If you earn, spend and invest in different currencies, exchange rate movements may affect your long term outcomes. A clear currency strategy based on your future spending needs is essential.

What is the risk of investing through long term offshore savings plans?2025-12-02T10:18:48+00:00

These often include high annual charges, limited investment choice, long commitment periods and significant penalties for early exit. Many expatriates find that returns are heavily reduced by charges.

Are modern offshore bonds always unsuitable?2025-12-02T10:18:13+00:00

No. Clean charged modern bonds can work well for clients with specific UK tax objectives, especially where access to certain tax treatments is useful. The structure only works when costs are transparent and advice is genuinely independent. And it’s important to not the tax treatment of offshore bonds varies across jurisdictions.

Can an adviser help if I plan to move again?2025-12-02T10:18:33+00:00

Yes. A good international adviser builds a flexible plan that adapts to relocation, change of residency, new tax rules and shifting personal circumstances. Planning should never be built around a single jurisdiction.

Next Steps

If you want advice that is transparent, globally aware and free from commissions or product bias, you can request a review of your pensions, investments or international arrangements.

Clear, well structured advice provides confidence and peace of mind at every stage of your international journey.

Jessica Cook Chartered MCSI | Partner at AES International
Financial Planner for UK Residents and Specialist in Cross-Border Wealth for International Professionals & Globally Mobile Families

Meet Jessica Cook

Financial planning begins with your life, not your money. I help international professionals and families design their wealth with purpose, so they can enjoy today while protecting tomorrow.

I’m Jessica Cook, a UK-qualified Chartered Financial Planner and Partner at AES International, featured in the Times Guide to the UK’s Top-Rated Financial Advisers. I specialise in international financial planning, cross-border wealth management, and tax-efficient strategies for UK residents, expatriates and globally mobile families.

With a background in law, a former career at the Financial Times, and as a regular financial columnist, I help clients organise, protect, and grow their wealth with confidence.

Reviews and Ratings for Financial adviser Jessica Cook, London

Testimonials

I feel I have received the best advise I could have had and feel that my pension is now much better off than it was before I started to work with Jessica.

I feel I have received the best advise I could have had and feel that my pension is now much better off than it was before I started to work with Jessica.

From the start she gave open, honest and good advice. She answered all my questions clearly and helped me understand my options

From the start she gave open, honest and good advice. She answered all my questions clearly and helped me understand my options

Jessica was great, she provide guidance and advice in a way that was easy to understand. She is always available to answer my questions, offer advice and help solve any issues.

Jessica was great, she provide guidance and advice in a way that was easy to understand. She is always available to answer my questions, offer advice and help solve any issues.

Jessica provided excellent impartial sound financial advice that we have been following to great effect for the past 5-years.

Jessica provided excellent impartial sound financial advice that we have been following to great effect for the past 5-years.

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Disclaimer: The content provided does not constitute advice nor does it constitute any offer or solicitation to offer a recommendation. It is for general purposes only and does not take into account your individual needs, and specific circumstances. The law of domicile is very complex. Advice should always be sought from a lawyer or practitioner with expertise in this area.

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People Ask:

Who is Jessica Cook?2025-10-03T09:35:34+00:00

I’m a Chartered Member of the CISI and Partner at AES International, featured in the Times Guide to the UK’s Top-Rated Financial Advisers. I specialise in international financial planning and cross-border wealth management.

What kind of clients do you work with?2025-10-03T09:36:03+00:00

I work with UK residents and internationally mobile professionals, entrepreneurs, and families who need expert guidance on structuring, protecting, and growing wealth across borders.

What services do you provide?2025-10-03T09:36:35+00:00

I advise on investment management, cross-border planning, inheritance and estate structuring, and the use of tax-efficient vehicles.

Why work with Jessica Cook at AES International?2025-10-03T09:37:02+00:00

AES International is a Corporate Chartered firm, recognised for delivering evidence-based, fee-based financial advice. My approach combines integrity, discipline, and global expertise to help clients live well today while securing tomorrow.

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Jessica Cook Chartered MCSI | Partner at AES International
Financial Planner for UK Residents and Specialist in Cross-Border Wealth for International Professionals & Globally Mobile Families

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