What they don’t tell you about living abroad
Living abroad is a dream for many… and for good reason.
A better lifestyle, a slower pace, a new adventure, or simply the freedom to choose where and how you live. From the rolling hills of England, to the vineyards of France, to the beaches of South Africa, expat life can be rich in experience.
But it can also come with a surprising cost.
And I don’t just mean the price of a plane ticket or international school fees. I’m talking about the hidden taxes; the subtle, often-overlooked costs that can quietly chip away at your finances and peace of mind if you’re not prepared.
1. The financial “leaks” most people don’t see coming
Let’s start with the money side.
Currency conversion fees: These are the silent nibblers. You move money from your euro salary into your sterling mortgage account or send funds back home to family and you lose a little each time. A few percent here, a few percent there. Over months and years, it adds up.
Tax complexity: Living in one country, earning in another, and investing in a third is not unusual for our globally mobile clients. But that mix can trigger unexpected tax liabilities if you’re not careful, especially around things like pension transfers, capital gains, and estate planning. No one wants a surprise tax bill from a country they left five years ago.
Healthcare gaps: Depending on your residency status, you may fall through the cracks between national health systems and private cover. In some countries, emergency care isn’t free. In others, you might need top-up insurance for basic services. And if you’re self-employed or semi-retired abroad, navigating this can feel like assembling a jigsaw puzzle without the box lid.
2. The emotional cost of being globally mobile
Then there are the less tangible “costs”; the emotional tolls that don’t appear on a bank statement.
The cost of disconnection. The quiet weight of managing finances across borders, in unfamiliar languages or systems.
The frustration of bureaucratic admin.
The anxiety of “getting it wrong” in a place where rules are different, and penalties can be high.
Being an expat can feel freeing… and disorienting. Both at the same time.
That’s why clarity matters — and why having the right planning in place — financial, legal, and emotional — isn’t just a luxury. It’s a way of protecting your freedom.
There are tools designed to help
Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all yourself. There are financial tools and structures specifically designed for individuals living internationally. From cross-border investment accounts to tax-efficient wrappers, from multi-currency solutions to globally portable insurance.
The key is to build a plan that respects your reality; the currencies you live between, the family you support, the life you’re building.
Because while being globally mobile has its costs, it also opens doors.
And with the right support, you can walk through those doors without the nagging worry of what’s waiting on the other side.
Feeling the weight of those “hidden taxes”? Let’s talk. A conversation today could save you a lot of time, money, and stress tomorrow.
