How Do I Find the Right Financial Adviser When Living Abroad?

Finding a financial adviser when you live abroad is not the same as finding one at home. When you move country, the rules that govern your finances change. Your adviser may need to be regulated in your country of residence, not just your home country. They should understand the tax and regulatory rules of both jurisdictions. And your investments should be held by an independent custodian, not by the adviser firm itself.

This guide answers the key questions that internationally mobile people should ask before appointing a financial adviser. It is designed for expats, digital nomads, retirees abroad and anyone managing cross-border finances.

Link Independent is a curated introduction service that helps expats and internationally mobile clients connect with appropriately regulated financial advisers and specialist professionals based on their circumstances. Link Independent is not a financial adviser.

Can I keep my UK adviser when I move abroad?

It depends. Many UK financial advisers are only authorised to advise UK residents. When you move abroad, your adviser may no longer have the regulatory permission to provide advice to you in your new country of residence.

Some advisers hold cross-border permissions — for example, through passporting rights within the EU/EEA, or by being regulated in multiple jurisdictions. But many do not.

What to do: Ask your current adviser directly whether they are authorised to advise clients in your destination country. If they are, ask under what regulatory authority. If they are not, you may need to find a new adviser who is regulated in your country of residence and understands UK financial products.

Does my adviser need to be regulated where I live?

In most cases, yes. An adviser providing advice to you in your country of residence should be regulated by the relevant financial authority in that jurisdiction. Being regulated in your home country alone is not always sufficient.

For example, if you live in Spain, your adviser should generally be regulated by the CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores) or hold equivalent EU passporting rights. If you live in the UAE, your adviser should be regulated by the relevant authority in the emirate where they operate (for example, the DFSA in Dubai or the ADGM in Abu Dhabi).

What to do: Ask the adviser which regulator authorises them to advise clients in your country of residence. You can then verify this on the regulator's official register.

How do I check an international adviser is regulated?

You can check an adviser's regulatory status by searching the official register of the relevant financial regulator. Here are links to some of the most common regulators:

• UK: FCA Register — search by firm name, individual name or reference number
• Ireland: Central Bank of Ireland Register
• Spain: CNMV Register
• France: ORIAS Register
• Germany: BaFin Register
• UAE (Dubai): DFSA Register
• UAE (Abu Dhabi): ADGM Register
• Australia: ASIC Connect
• Singapore: MAS Register

When you search, check what permissions the firm holds — not just whether they appear on the register. Not all authorised firms can advise on all products.

Do I need an adviser in my home country or country of residence?

You may need both, or you may need one adviser who understands both jurisdictions. The answer depends on your circumstances:

• If you have UK pensions and investments and you live in Spain, you may need an adviser who understands UK pension rules and Spanish tax residency.
• If you are a US citizen living in France, you need an adviser who understands US tax rules (including PFIC and FATCA) and French tax rules.
• If you have assets in multiple countries, you may need a single cross-border adviser or a coordinated team.

A curated introduction service like Link Independent can help match you with an adviser suited to your specific cross-border situation.

How do I find an adviser who understands two countries?

Not all international advisers genuinely understand two countries' rules. Some claim international expertise but are primarily regulated in one jurisdiction. Here is how to identify genuine cross-border expertise:

1. Check regulation in both countries — the adviser should be regulated or hold permissions in both your home and residence countries, or work with a partner who is.
2. Ask about their client base — do they regularly advise clients in your situation (for example, UK expats in Portugal)?
3. Ask about their knowledge of both tax systems — they should be able to explain how your home country's tax rules interact with your residence country's tax rules.
4. Ask about double taxation treaties — they should understand how the relevant treaty affects your situation.
5. Look for specialist qualifications — some advisers hold cross-border or international financial planning qualifications.

What happens if I move country again?

If you move from your current country of residence to another, your financial advice needs may change again. Your adviser may need to be regulated in your new country of residence.

Before appointing an adviser, ask:

• Are you regulated in only one country, or multiple?
• What happens to our advisory relationship if I move to another country?
• Can you continue to advise me, or will I need to find a new adviser?

Some advisers work within international networks that can accommodate moves between countries. Others cannot. Understanding this before you appoint an adviser can save significant disruption later.

What should I ask before appointing an international adviser?

Before appointing an international financial adviser, ask these essential questions:

1. Which regulator authorises you to advise me in my country of residence?
2. How are you paid? (initial fee, ongoing fee, commission, or a combination)
3. What is the total annual cost of my investments, including all layers?
4. Who actually holds my investments? (the custodian, not the adviser)
5. What investor protection scheme apply to my investments?
6. What is your investment approach?
7. What happens if I want to move my investments elsewhere? (exit fees, transfer process)
8. What happens if I move to another country?
9. Can you provide references from clients in a similar situation to mine?
10. How will you communicate with me, and how often?

For a more detailed list, see our guide: 10 Questions to Ask an International Financial Adviser.

How are international advisers normally paid?

International advisers are typically paid through one or a combination of:

• Initial fee — a one-off charge for setting up your financial plan and investments
• Ongoing adviser fee — an annual charge for continued advice and review, typically 0.5% to 1.5% of assets
• Platform fee — charged by the platform that administers your investments
• Investment management fee — if a Discretionary Fund Manager (DFM) is used
• Fund charges — the ongoing charge figure (OCF) of the underlying funds
• Transaction costs — dealing charges within funds
• FX costs — currency conversion charges if investing across currencies

The key point is that the adviser fee is only one part of the total cost. Always ask for the total annual cost in writing.

For a detailed breakdown, see our guide: How Much Am I Really Paying for International Financial Advice?.

Who actually holds my investments?

Your investments should be held by an independent, regulated custodian — not by the adviser firm itself. This separation is important for your protection:

• If the adviser firm encounters financial difficulties, your investments are held separately and should be protected.
• The custodian is responsible for safekeeping your assets.
• The platform provides the technology to view and manage your investments.
• The investment manager (DFM) makes investment decisions.
• The fund manager manages the underlying funds.

Understanding these roles helps you understand who is doing what with your money. For a detailed explanation, see our guide: Who Actually Holds My Money When I Use a Financial Adviser?.

Finding the right adviser for your situation

Finding the right international financial adviser takes time, but it is one of the most important financial decisions you will make when living abroad. The key steps are:

1. Understand your own situation — your countries, assets, tax position and goals
2. Check the adviser is regulated in your country of residence
3. Ask the right questions about fees, custody and approach
4. Verify the answers on official regulator registers
5. Take your time — never feel pressured to make a quick decision

If you are not sure which rules or type of adviser apply to you, the Link Independent Expat Planner can help you organise your circumstances before deciding what professional help you may need.

Link Independent is a curated introduction service that helps expats and internationally mobile clients connect with appropriately regulated financial advisers based on their circumstances. Find an adviser or use the Expat Planner to get started.