Life as an expatriate opens up new experiences — new opportunities, cultures, and lifestyles. But it also brings financial complexity. From managing investments in multiple currencies to navigating unfamiliar tax regimes, expats face challenges that require specialist advice and structured planning.
At Blacktower Financial Management, we provide tailored financial solutions for expatriates across many countries in Europe. Our expertise can help you make confident, well-informed decisions about your money — supporting you in aligning your financial plan with your long-term objectives in a compliant and appropriate manner.
Whether you are planning for retirement, reviewing your portfolio, or simply want clarity about your financial plan, our team of experienced international advisers can help.
Expat Financial Solutions at a Glance
Our services are designed to support expatriates in managing their financial planning across borders— integrating investment and retirement strategies under one efficient, global structure.
Optimise My Tax Strategy
Tax rules differ significantly from one country to another, and expats often find themselves caught between overlapping systems. The right strategy can help minimise liabilities while maintaining full compliance in every jurisdiction in which you have financial interests.
At Blacktower, we help you:
- Structure your assets in a way that supports cross-border planning
- Coordinate with tax advisers to identify available tax allowances and relief
- Manage currency exposure and reporting obligations
Discuss how investment and pension withdrawals may interact with local tax rules. Our cross-border specialists work with you to create a strategy that can help protect your wealth today while preparing you for tomorrow — whether you’re living in Portugal, Spain, France, the UAE, or further afield.
Optimise My Portfolio
As an expatriate, your investment portfolio must do more than simply grow — it must adapt. Market access, tax treatment, and currency fluctuations all vary by location, which means that what worked for you in the UK or US may not perform the same abroad.
Blacktower’s global portfolio management service can help you structure your investments in a way that is professionally managed, globally diversified, and aligned with your objectives.
We provide:
- Investment strategies tailored to your risk profile
- Access to a broad range of fund managers and global markets
- Regular performance reviews and rebalancing
- Transparent reporting in your chosen base currency
Whether you’re seeking capital growth, income generation, or wealth preservation, we’ll help you structure a portfolio that works wherever you live — and evolves as your circumstances change.
Consolidate My Pensions
For many expats, pensions are scattered across multiple schemes and countries, each with different rules, fees, and investment options. Managing them independently can be inefficient and costly.
Our pension consolidation service can bring your retirement savings together under one efficient structure, helping to simplify administration and unlocking more investment opportunities.
By consolidating your pensions, you can:
- Gain a clearer view of your total retirement savings
- Potentially reduce fees and hidden charges
- Access broader investment options
- Improve flexibility for income withdrawals
We’ll review your existing arrangements — from UK personal pensions to occupational or overseas plans — and help you select a structure that supports your goals and residency status.
QROPS Pension Transfer to SIPP
If you’ve previously transferred your UK pension into a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS), it may be time to review whether that structure still serves your best interests.
Changes in residency, tax rules, and UK legislation may affect the suitability of your existing arrangement. In some cases, a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) could offer greater flexibility and cost-efficiency — particularly for those who plan to return to the UK or wish to hold investments in sterling.
Our advisers will:
- Compare the benefits, risks, and costs of your current QROPS
- Assess whether a transfer to a UK SIPP could reduce fees or simplify reporting
- Ensure compliance with HMRC rules and local tax authorities
- Manage the transfer process end-to-end
Every situation is different, which is why independent, regulated advice is essential. We’ll help you make an informed decision that supports your retirement income needs and long-term security.
Why Choose Blacktower?
For over 40 years, Blacktower has been guiding expatriates through the complexities of cross-border financial planning, combining local expertise with a global perspective.
Our approach is built on three key principles:
1. Independent and Transparent Advice
We are not tied to any single product provider. Our independence allows us to source the most suitable solutions across the market and focus entirely on what’s best for you.
2. Cross-Border Expertise
Our advisers understand the nuances of multiple jurisdictions — including how tax treaties, reporting obligations, and residency changes affect your wealth. This ensures every part of your financial life works in harmony.
3. Personalised, Long-Term Planning
We believe financial advice is not a one-time service. It’s an ongoing partnership. As your life evolves — whether you move countries, change careers, or approach retirement — your Blacktower adviser remains by your side to review and adjust your plan.
Protecting and Growing Your Wealth
Our expat financial planning services go beyond just managing money. They’re about helping you enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked for — with confidence, clarity, and control.
Through a holistic approach that integrates estate planning, investment and retirement planning, we can help you:
- Explore smart structures to help maximise after-tax returns
- Consider ways to help preserve wealth against inflation, volatility, and currency risk
- Build a sustainable income plan for retirement
- Protect assets for your family and heirs through effective estate planning
Every client’s situation is unique — from digital nomads with global income streams to retirees seeking stable euro-denominated income. That’s why our advice is never generic. We take the time to understand your ambitions, analyse your existing arrangements, and design a plan that reflects your personal and financial goals.
How to Get Started
Your journey to better financial clarity begins with a 15-minute discovery call. During this conversation, you’ll speak directly with one of our experienced advisers, who will help you identify your priorities and outline the first steps towards achieving them.
Whether your objective is to streamline your pensions, or build a globally diversified investment portfolio, we’ll show you the practical solutions available to make it happen.
You can then decide whether you’d like a full financial review — a personalised plan that considers your residency, income sources, pension structures, and long-term aspirations.
Plan with Confidence Being an expat should be rewarding — not overwhelming. With the right strategy and professional guidance, you can help simplify the complex, manage your wealth, and allow you to make informed decisions about your future.