Expats, You’ve Got an Expiry Date - Plan for It
- Joe Woodhouse

- Sep 2, 2025
- 1 min read

If you’re an expat in the ME, here’s an uncomfortable truth: one day you’ll
have to pack your bags and make way for someone younger. The “never‑ending
vacation” doesn’t last forever.
Too many expats avoid thinking about the inevitable. They get lost in the fantasy
bubble:
• Tax‑free income
• Sun all year round
• Five‑star service at their beck and call
• Luxury, convenience and entertainment on tap
And most of their money? Blown on holidays, shopping hauls, luxury villas and
overpriced restaurants. Been there, done that.
Even the few who invest often miss the most critical piece: tax planning. Nine out of
ten expats I meet put money into property or funds without considering what
happens when they return to the UK. That’s a costly oversight. If you retire in Britain
and haven’t structured your assets properly, the tax bill could knock you off your
chair.
But not all is lost. The sooner you take action to protect your wealth with the right
vehicles. Trusts, offshore bonds, company structures, the longer you can enjoy the
lifestyle you’re used to. Planning ahead isn’t about killing your fun; it’s about making
sure the fun doesn’t end when you leave the Gulf.
Don’t stick your head in the sand. Start the conversation now so you can savour the
sunshine, knowing your future self won’t get burned.


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