expat wealth planning
Offshore Investment
Accounts
What is an offshore investment account?
Are you looking for an investment account that’s low cost, tax-friendly, and in a well regulated jurisdiction? An offshore investment account could be the right solution for you.
Typically based in popular offshore destinations like Jersey, the Isle of Man, or Luxembourg, they allow expats to invest without income or capital gains taxes being deducted within the account.
Offering a flexible solution for expats as you move between countries.
Offshore investment accounts are best suited to international expats – with £150,000 or more to invest.
They can offer substantial benefits for people living in low-tax jurisdictions (like the Middle East, Cyprus or Greece) who want greater security and flexibility with their investments.
And are popular with expats in countries with territorial tax regimes (like Malaysia and Thailand) or special expat tax regimes, where international assets aren’t taxed.
If you’re a permanent resident in a country with a global taxation regime (like France, Portugal or Spain) and have no plans to relocate, local tax wrappers may be more efficient.
Who are offshore investment accounts for?
Professional investing advice for international expats
Are you looking for a professional partner, to build and manage an investment portfolio aligned with your own goals?
We’ll help you find the right account structures for your personal circumstances, and design a diversified evidence-based portfolio aligned with your needs.
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Tax Efficient & Portable
No local taxation means the same account can be used when moving across different countries.
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Secure & Regulated
We only work with regulated financial institutions. Your funds are held in an account in your name directly with the account provider.
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Investment Choices
Access to over 10,000 mutual funds and ETFs, across a range of currencies.
Arrange your initial consultation today
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access my funds at any time?
Yes, you can flexibly contribute to your account, or withdraw funds, at any time. The offshore investment providers we work with, do not charge exit penalties or impose lock-in periods.
What currencies can I invest in?
It’s possible to invest in most major currencies including US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros. We’ll help you craft an investment strategy that’s right for your needs.
What types of investments can I access?
Mutual Funds & ETFs – Most offshore investment platforms offer access to a wide variety of collective investment schemes like Mutual Funds & ETFs. With approximately 10,000 different funds across a variety of currencies.
Other Investment Options – Some offshore platforms can also accommodate Investment Trusts, Stocks, Bonds and Structured Products. Outside of exceptional cases, these type of investments rarely offer enough diversification for international expats.
How is my money safeguarded?
As your trusted adviser, we never hold your assets directly. Your money will always be held with a regulated third-party investment provider in an account in your name, and any money is transferred to them directly by you.
As regulated entities, all the platforms and fund managers we work with segregate client assets from those of the underlying business, by holding client assets in separate a ring-fenced account. This means in the unlikely event that something should happen to your investment provider, your assets are safe.
Will I pay income or capital gains tax on offshore investments?
There’s no tax deducted at the account level within an offshore investment account.
Depending on your country of residence, you may still need to report and pay taxes on any investment growth or income. The details depend on both the tax laws of your home country and double tax treaties with offshore jurisdiction where the investments are held.
It’s important to consult a tax professional to understand your personal obligations.
Are offshore investments subject to Inheritance Tax?
There’s no local Inheritance Tax charged for non-residents holding offshore accounts in the jurisdictions we work with.
The inheritance tax treatment will depend on both the tax laws of your home country, the country where your beneficiaries live, and the offshore jurisdiction where the investments are held. It’s important to consult a tax professional to understand your personal obligations.
An example:
John & Sarah are British nationals who live in Dubai, they have £750,000 invested to support their retirement in a general investment account. They’ve lived overseas for 10 years, so are only subject to UK IHT on their UK assets.
If John & Sarah hold their funds in a UK-based investment account, when they die they will pay UK Inheritance Tax on those assets, even though John & Sarah live overseas.
But if they hold their investments in an offshore account, it will not be subject to UK Inheritance Tax.
How do I open an offshore investment account?
We begin with a discovery call to gain a clear understanding of your financial situation, goals, and specific requirements.
We’ll conduct thorough analysis of your current assets and priorities, and evaluate available products and propose the most appropriate solution. You’ll then receive a customised recommendation that outlines the most suitable offshore investment account and a personalised investment strategy.
Once you’re ready to invest, we’ll handle all the necessary client onboarding paperwork and facilitate the setup of your new offshore investment account. The account provider will provide you with login and payment details, allowing you to deposit your investment and begin.