International residencies
International relocation is commonly used as a planning tool by affluent families and their family offices. Most family offices support their clients international relocation and help them obtain the necessary residence permits or even a foreign citizenship.
International relocation is increasingly popular
For decades, affluent individuals and families have been relocating to countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Monaco, Dubai, Malta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Gibraltar and other jurisdictions alike.
Especially in the past decade, international relocation has become increasingly popular as a planning tool. There are many reasons for this, such as improved communications media, for example, mobile Internet and Skype, which makes it easier to stay in touch with relatives and business, as well as thoroughly improved, more regular and cheaper international flight connections, making it simpler to travel between one’s country of origin and the country of choice.
Relocation to optimise one’s life
The main benefit of permanent emigration for affluent individuals lies in the fact that in most cases it creates a financial benefit. Often, it is also a necessary condition for protecting the assets of a family and its members. Sometimes it is best if a whole family relocates, and sometimes interesting wealth planning possibilities may arise if only one or a few of the family members relocate to another country.
❝ A growing number of affluent families move to another jurisdiction ❞
The family, supported by their family office, may of course also select a new country to reside in based on factors such as climate, infrastructure and a secure political environment.
We also encounter international relocation when children of wealthy families attend schools and universities in countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. A family office can often support you with this last issue quite well.
Appropriate planning is a necessity when you relocate internationally
Affluent families often relocate to the United Kingdom (London), the United Arab Emirates, Monaco or Switzerland. There are other attractive alternatives, but they are less well-known. For people with European Union (EU) citizenship, relocating within the EU or to Switzerland is not a problem, but for a person who is not an EU or Swiss national, international relocation to Switzerland, or the United Kingdom or another European country could prove more difficult.
In all cases of international relocation, careful planning is necessary. Anyone who intends to relocate will therefore need to obtain appropriate tax advice from a reputable law firm specialising in fiscal matters before they actually relocate.
Some countries do not require tax planning before you enter them. However, and especially in the case of business owners, it will be necessary for the family office to plan the departure from the country of origin in order to avoid negative tax consequences. Structures often proposed by family offices in connection with international relocation are trusts and private placement life insurance solutions. It is also often necessary to plan in advance to obtain the necessary residence permits. For obtaining a foreign citizenship it is always necessary to coordinate with a specialist.
Residence in the Bahamas
Strategically located just off the coast of Florida, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas offers all its residents an almost tax-exempt environment. Although known to most of us as a typical holiday destination, the Bahamas has long offered a secure and stabile living environment for wealthy families from all around the globe.
Read more about residence in the Bahamas
Residence in Dubai
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of the destinations in which an increasing number of affluent families are interested. Strategically located between Africa, Asia and Europe, the destination is easily reached. Besides a pleasant climate for at least 6 months of the year, it offers attractive real estate opportunities, a cosmopolitan lifestyle and complete exemption from income tax.
Read more about residence in Dubai
Residence in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an increasingly popular jurisdiction for affluent families from all over the world to relocate to. Besides the fact that Hong Kong offers a territorial system of personal income taxation, it is also a vibrant jurisdiction to establish a new business in and the gateway to China. In combination with the fact that it does not levy any wealth tax or inheritance tax, and is globally one of the freest economies, it is clearly one of most attractive locations in Asia to relocate to.
Read more about residence in Hong Kong
Residence in Italy
Since introducing its own investor visa programme and the so-called Italian non-domiciled tax regime in 2017, Italy has become a really interesting alternative to consider for relocation for both EU and non-EU-citizens. Attractively positioned in the southern part of Europe, it offers an attractive tax environment, interesting culture and a great climate.
Read more about residence in Italy
Residence in Jersey
Jersey has long promoted itself as an attractive jurisdiction to relocate to. In order to attract wealthy families to the island it has developed specific legislation for so-called High Value Residents. Those that qualify as High Value Residents benefit from reduced personal income tax rates. As corporate income tax rates are low, Jersey can be an attractive jurisdiction for entrepreneurial families to relocate to.
Read more about residence in Jersey
Residence in Luxembourg
Especially since it has introduced an investor visa programme, Luxembourg has become an interesting alternative to consider for relocation, for both EU and non-EU-residents. Centrally positioned between Belgium, France and Germany, it offers an attractive tax environment, interesting culture and excellent opportunities to establish a business.
Read more about residence in Luxembourg
Residence in Monaco
Although the Principality of Monaco is fairly small, it is still a popular jurisdiction for affluent families from all over the world to relocate to. Besides the fact that Monaco does not levy any personal income tax, wealth tax or inheritance tax, Monaco is also considered attractive due to its location and the fact that it is relatively easy to become a resident there, even for families coming from outside the EU.
Read more about residence in Monaco
Residence in Singapore
Although Singapore is primarily known for its financial centre, it is actually also an interesting jurisdiction to relocate to. Singapore particularly aims to attract successful entrepreneurs through its Global Investor Programme. Applicants are granted permanent residency when they directly or indirectly invest in the jurisdiction. Setting up your own single-family office qualifies as such an investment.
Read more about residence in Singapore
Residence in Switzerland
A considerable number of Swiss cantons offer affluent families who want to relocate to Switzerland the possibility, before entering Switzerland, of negotiating a fixed annual level of income and wealth tax with the tax authorities, regardless of their actual annual income and wealth. The main basis for negotiation with the tax authorities is the person’s annual expenditure. This arrangement is called lump-sum taxation.
Read more about residence in Switzerland
Residence in the United Kingdom
London is one of the most popular destinations for wealthy families. When relocating to England (UK), it is possible to benefit from UK non-domiciled taxation. Under the non-domiciled taxation rules, foreigners who have taken up residency in the UK will only be taxed on income and gains that arise or accrue in the UK on the assets they hold in the UK (including UK bank accounts), and on the income they generate outside the UK and subsequently remit to the UK.
Read more about residence in the United Kingdom
International relocation to other jurisdictions
International relocation to countries such as Andorra, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal offers the possibility of using schemes specially developed for affluent individuals. Under these schemes, there is little tax to be paid; you are granted a residence permit and, in most cases, access to Schengen countries without any visa requirements. Several of these jurisdictions also offer specific citizenship by investment programs for wealthy families.
Although international relocation to these countries comes with tax benefits, relocating to other countries may come with severely negative tax consequences. Some examples of these countries are the United States of America, France and Germany.
Last but not least, many countries offer opportunities to structure a family’s assets before relocation, in such a way (such as via trusts and private placement life insurance) so that the overall tax burden of the family will decrease.
A family office or local law firm can support you with international relocation planning strategies and help you to comply with local rules and legislation. As affluent families become more internationally exposed every year, this is normally one of the most important services which a high quality family office provides.
