Moving to Spain: A Financial Planning Guide for UK Expats
If you are planning to move to Spain, or have recently done so, you have made an excellent choice. With its rich culture, warm climate, and relaxed lifestyle, Spain offers a wonderful quality of life. It also presents opportunities to review and adapt your financial planning. Where possible, it is best to begin preparations well […]
Long-Term Investing: Why Patience Often Pays Off
Market ups and downs can test even the most seasoned investors. But when it comes to building lasting wealth, research shows that remaining invested and keeping emotions in check is often more effective than trying to predict the perfect time to buy or sell. “Is now a good time to invest?” is a question that […]
Moving to France? What You Need to Know About Taxes and Wealth Planning
Are you planning a move to France, or have you already settled into your new life there? No matter where you are in your journey, one of the most important steps you can take is preparing for the French tax system. Aligning your wealth management strategy with French rules may help you protect your assets, […]
Tax Freedom Day 2025: How Much of Your Year Goes to the Taxman?
If you’ve ever felt as though much of your working life is spent paying tax before you see any benefit for yourself, you may not be far wrong. With income tax, national insurance or social security, capital gains tax, VAT, council tax, excise duties and more, a significant proportion of income goes to the taxman […]
Retiring Abroad: The Ultimate Checklist for Planning Your Retirement
For many people, retirement abroad is a lifelong dream: a home in the sunshine, a slower pace of life, and the freedom to spend time on the hobbies and experiences you love most. But behind every dream retirement lies careful preparation. At Blacktower Financial Management, we have been helping expatriates plan and protect their wealth […]
Retirement Planning: Why Waiting Could Seriously Impact Your Retirement
For some, retirement feels a lifetime away. For others, it’s right around the corner. Yet, whether you’re 30, 50, or already considering slowing down, one truth is becoming harder to ignore: most people are not saving enough for retirement. According to the BlackRock Read on Retirement 2024 survey, 50% of UK Defined Contribution pension holders […]
How Expats Can Avoid Unnecessary UK Pension Tax With an NT Code
For many British expatriates, moving abroad represents a new chapter of life — whether that’s enjoying retirement in the Algarve, building a career in Dubai, or relocating to the United States. But while your lifestyle may change, one thing that often follows you is your UK pension. Unfortunately, thousands of expats continue to pay UK […]
Is It Time to Bring Your QROPS Back to the UK?
For many years, Qualifying Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) played a central role in cross-border retirement planning. They were created to help UK nationals who moved abroad take their pensions with them and, in certain circumstances, offered advantages that UK pensions did not. But much has changed since QROPS were first introduced in 2006. Over the […]