Cross-border financial advice for British expats
– because your location shouldn’t limit your investment options.
Managing your finances while living overseas?
Like many British expats, you face a frustrating reality:
Most UK financial advisers aren’t qualified or allowed to advise you. And local advisers in your new country may not understand UK pensions and investments, cross-border tax rules, or your bigger picture.
Your access to the traditional UK financial products that you are familiar with, such as pensions and ISAs, is restricted now that you are living overseas.
You find that your bank or pension provider is unhelpful. They may freeze your online access, delay payments, or insist on paper-based instructions. Some refuse to make overseas payments altogether.
Your tax situation is suddenly far more complicated than expected.
The result?
Stress, confusion, and sometimes, poor decisions with lifelong consequences.
This is where I come in.
Cross-Border Financial Advice That Works For You
I provide specialist cross-border financial planning for British expats like you.
I can help you:
- Understand your pension and investment options as an expat
- Plan for retirement wherever you are likely to live in the future
- Review or restructure your UK ISAs, pensions, and investment accounts
- Invest with confidence in a tax-compliant and efficient way
- Build a robust estate plan that works across borders
All while making the process clear, calm, and stress-free.
What You Get
With my cross-border planning service, you’ll receive:
- A comprehensive review of your pensions, investments and tax position
- A clear, personalised strategy for investing while living outside the UK
- Peace of mind knowing your advice comes from someone with UK qualifications and a quarter century of experience in advising expats
- Ongoing support and guidance as your circumstances evolve
- Transparent, fee-based advice, no hidden commissions, no sales agenda
👉 Book Your Free Discovery Call
About Me
I’m Ross Naylor, a UK Chartered Financial Planner with over 25 years of experience helping British expats manage their finances abroad.
I live outside the UK myself, with a non-British spouse and dual-nationality children—so I understand first-hand the emotional and financial complexities that come with international life. 🙂
I created my Cross-Border Financial Planning service to give expats like you clear, expert guidance—so you can navigate pensions, investments, and tax rules with confidence and peace of mind.
Case Study: Paul & Susan – Financial Planning Across Borders
Background:
Paul (62) and Susan (57) have been living outside the UK for the past 12 years and are currently based in Luxembourg.
Paul has already retired, while Susan is still working.
They’re starting to think seriously about retirement but are unsure whether to return to the UK or settle somewhere warmer, perhaps Southern Europe.
They both have children from previous marriages who are financially independent and living in the UK.
They’re at a crossroads and want to get their finances organised before making big life decisions.
The Challenges:
- They both have gaps in their UK State Pension records and are unsure whether it’s worth topping them up.
- Susan is selling a property in the UK and wants to invest the proceeds wisely.
- Paul is inheriting money from his late father and wants to know how best to manage it as a non-UK resident.
- They each have UK pensions from previous jobs but aren’t sure how to access them tax-efficiently if they retire outside the UK.
- Their wills are out of date and they’re concerned about protecting each other and their children from complications later on.
- They’re unsure how best to structure their estates given their cross-border life and blended family.
How I Helped:
✔ We started with a full financial review and built a plan around clarity, flexibility, and peace of mind.
✔ We reviewed their UK State Pension records and calculated the cost-benefit of topping up their National Insurance contributions. The result: affordable top-ups to boost their future income.
✔ I explained the tax implications of Susan’s UK property sale, helped her avoid common pitfalls, and showed her how to invest the proceeds in a way that works for them in Luxembourg and wherever they eventually retire.
✔ We looked at Paul’s inheritance and developed an investment plan that kept the money safe, accessible, and tax-smart across borders.
✔ We analysed their old UK pensions, discussed the pros and cons of transferring or keeping them in place, and built a flexible income strategy that can adapt whether they retire to a country in Southern Europe or return to the UK.
✔ I referred them to a qualified estate planning solicitor who helped them create wills that reflect their international lifestyle and family structure, making sure both partners and their children are protected.
The Outcome:
Paul and Susan now have a clear plan in place, whether they retire in the UK or Southern Europe.
They feel more confident knowing:
✔ They fully understand their pension and investment options.
✔ They have structured their finances in a way that minimises tax complexity.
✔ Their financial life is finally aligned with their long-term goals.
✔ They have a robust estate plan in place that protects both of them and their children in the event of death.
Would you like help building a plan like Paul and Susan’s?
👉 Book your free 30-minute call to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cross-Border Financial Advice
Can I still get UK-style financial advice once I’ve left the UK?
Yes. I’m UK-qualified and experienced in advising expat clients. I understand both UK rules and the challenges that expats routinely face.
What happens to my ISA if I move abroad?
You can keep it, but you can’t add new funds. Most other countries don’t recognise the tax benefits of an ISA, so it will likely be taxed locally if you withdraw funds or rearrange your investments.
How do I avoid being taxed twice on my pension?
Most countries have tax treaties with the UK that prevent double taxation. But you need to take steps to avoid UK tax being deducted at source (e.g. apply for a No Tax code), and structure withdrawals to avoid surprises.
My spouse isn’t British. Does that matter?
Yes. It can affect your estate planning, tax position, and how certain assets are treated. I specialise in helping mixed-nationality couples.
What if I’ve already moved abroad and didn’t plan ahead?
It’s never too late to get things in order. I work with both new and long-established expats.
Can I still make UK pension contributions even if I live abroad?
Yes. You can make UK pension contributions for the first 5 years of living overseas.
Can I continue to build my UK state pension entitlement while living overseas?
Yes. You can make voluntary contributions to the UK state pension system while living abroad.
Is my UK State Pension still paid if I live abroad?
Yes. You can receive your State Pension almost anywhere. In EU countries (and some others), it will also increase each year in line with UK inflation. You just need to make sure HMRC knows where you live and that your NI contributions are up to date.
Should I keep my UK bank account open after I move abroad?
Yes, it can be helpful for receiving UK pensions or property income. But you should also consider setting up international banking and FX solutions to manage cross-border transfers and reduce currency costs.
What are the inheritance planning challenges for expats with assets in multiple countries?
Each country has different rules on who inherits, how it’s taxed, and whether a UK will is recognised. It’s important to coordinate your wills and planning to ensure your wishes are respected and avoid unnecessary tax or family disputes.
What should I do with my UK property when I retire abroad?
That depends on your income needs, tax exposure, and long-term plans. Selling might simplify things, but renting can generate income. Each option has tax implications in the UK and abroad, so it’s worth weighing them carefully.
How do currency fluctuations affect my retirement income?
If your pension is in pounds and your expenses are in euros (or another currency), fluctuations can impact your purchasing power. Part of your planning should include currency hedging or multi-currency investment strategies.
Read more about Cross-border Financial Planning
🔗 What is an Offshore Bond? An Expat Guide
🔗 Expat State Pension guide (2025/2026 update)
🔗 Expat retirement: Which countries are affected by Frozen State Pension?
🔗 UK Expat Tax Rules: What You Need to Know
🔗 How to Save for Retirement as an Expat
🔗 Why UK-Based IFAs Won’t Work with Expats (And What You Can Do)
🔗 Top 10 Mistakes British Expats Make with Their Finances
🔗 What Is Specialist Expat Financial Advice and Why Do You Need It?
🔗 Expat Investing: A Guide To Structured Notes
🔗 How do I keep my UK bank account when I live abroad?
🔗 Global Assets, Local Laws: Navigating Wills Across Borders
🔗 Navigating the UK Temporary Non-Residence Rules: A Guide for Expats
🔗 Selling Property as a British Expat? Don’t Forget About Capital Gains Tax!
Peace of mind, wherever you are
Wherever you live now, and wherever you plan to end up, my goal is to make your finances work for you, not against you.
❌ No jargon
❌ No fluff
❌ No pressure
Just clear, professional advice tailored to your cross-border life.
Next step
If you’d like to explore whether my Cross-Border Financial Advice service is right for you, click the button below to book a free 20-minute discovery call.
We’ll discuss your situation, your goals, and whether I’m the right person to help.
