Expat Investment Advice to Prepare for 2026

As in many years, forecasts for 2026 are varied, but aspects like uncertainty around trade tariffs and political volatility mean that most economists are expecting a continuation of slow global growth.

The prospect of higher energy prices and potential recession in the US is unwelcome, but it is vital to remember that even where some economies might experience recession, or some sectors may slow, this will not affect every country or industry.

Likewise, market volatility isn’t new, and there are plenty of ways to safeguard your wealth and make future-proof investment decisions.

In this article, we’ll summarise some of the available forecasts, explore the underlying factors causing tension, and demonstrate where opportunities might exist to help expats manage their finances safely and strategically.

Economic Forecasts for 2026

At the time of writing, we’re yet to hear the announcements due to be shared in the Autumn Budget here in the UK. These could potentially have impacts on investment and savings products in Britain, in addition to previous reforms to inheritance tax and pension taxation, which may have already influenced investment decisions.

In the meantime, the first place to begin preparing for changes to your investment approach or reviewing your portfolio strategy is to examine the predicted economic climate for the year ahead.

One useful resource is the World Economic Outlook, which is published biannually by the International Monetary Fund and analyses global economics. The latest report from October 2025 states that:

• Global growth is expected to drop from 3.2% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026.
• Inflation is forecast to continue to fall, but with above-target inflation predicted in the US.

The report, which summarises that the global economy will remain in flux and that prospects remain dim, reflects on the numerous factors contributing to these forecasts, including the continued Russian invasion of Ukraine, US tariffs, dips in market resilience, and drops in consumer and business confidence.

A longer-term view is useful from an investment perspective because it considers what may happen a year or two ahead, rather than solely focusing on the economic circumstances at present. For example, if you are investing as part of a retirement strategy intended to crystallise in 20 years, the forecast slow drops in global inflation may mean that you decide not to make any dramatic changes.

It’s also important to recognise that economists are rarely in full agreement, and variances between forecasts mean a measured response is far preferable to relying on one source of information to make fundamental financial decisions.

How to Prepare Your Expat Investment Portfolio for the Year Ahead

There seems to be so much going on in the world of economics, tariffs, tax reforms and markets, but even in times of sustained uncertainty, expat investors with financial products and assets held across borders can take pre-emptive steps to ensure their wealth is not exposed to unnecessary risk.

Much will depend on your objectives, but many expat investors are concerned with currency fluctuations and their impacts on cross-border assets, which is why we always recommend a detailed, professional appraisal of your investments, returns and portfolio mix.

Here are some of the approaches we might recommend, especially if you have yet to have a recent portfolio review or are uncertain about how your investments are performing.

Rebalancing Portfolio Assets

Gradually, central banks around the world are returning closer to ‘normal business’, but it’s a fact that interest rates remain high, and that there are, as we’ve mentioned, growing indications of a potential recession in the US.

For some investors, depending on their place of residence and where their investments are based, this could mean that higher-rate investments that are suited to a world with lower inflation may be advisable, including products like:

• Investment-grade bonds with predictable, stable returns and a moderate risk
• Equities with dividend payouts that combine both income and growth potential
• Infrastructure funds that may benefit from planned investments in the public and private sectors

Investors who moved proportions of their wealth into equities or other alternatives in periods when interest rates were very low may well need to look at rebalancing their portfolios to take advantage of global income funds.

Consider Your Portfolio Diversification

Following sharp rises in tariffs, ongoing trade negotiations and rollbacks of reforms, now is a good time to concentrate on diversifying portfolio assets across both geographical areas and sectors if you’ve not yet done so.

Holdings that have typically been used as defensive investments, like healthcare and utilities, are still a viable way to stabilise portfolios, but some of the highest-growth sectors, including automation, renewables and AI, carry the best long-term forecasts for above-average returns.

British expats living overseas may also need to look at how well their diversification has hedged against exchange rate volatility, and whether they need to make adjustments to balance their investments to account for the different market cycles in the UK, EU and the US.

Revisit Your Investment Risk

Risk exposure and management are important themes within the investment world and require diligent oversight to ensure that, if risk spikes, you have a balancing hedge or the information you need to make clear judgments about the right move.

Likewise, accepting minimal risk may seem attractive when a recession is likely or when there remains a great deal of uncertainty. However, it could also mean veering away from your investment objectives in response to a short-term economic blip.

If you’re investing in multiple currencies or jurisdictions, exchange rate risks can have a marked impact on your returns, and you may need to consider:

• Whether the base currency your portfolio has been built around is still consistent with your circumstances
• Products that offer hedges against currency fluctuations
• FX trends, and where automated remittances could be restructured to give you better control over your risks

The best approach is to schedule a full portfolio review with an experienced investment adviser or wealth manager to refresh your strategy, identify areas of concern, or reassure yourself that your existing approach is stable and effective.

Ensuring Tax-Efficiency Is Included in All Expat Investment Decisions

Tax regimes at home and abroad have become considerably tighter over the last few years, with governments looking to rebalance their budgets post-pandemic, and with the looming threat of more tariffs and cross-border deals that could have substantial market impacts.

Regardless of your existing portfolio, we’d suggest that every expat remain proactive in how they manage their tax efficiency across borders, particularly with products and transactions like pension transfers and offshore bonds.

Schedule Regular Portfolio Reviews

Markets are generally stabilising, albeit with sluggish and slowly dropping global growth forecasts, which means that periodic assessments remain essential. Next year, we’re expecting yet more regulatory changes, potential reforms to UK tax regimes, and further changes to global asset performance.

Independent, professional investment reviews help to ensure that your portfolio is:

• Aligned with your current place of residency and any plans to relocate
• Up to date according to currency exchange risks and tax exposure
• Consistent with your overarching objectives and time horizons

The caveat to all of the guidance shared here is that there is no risk-exempt investment strategy, and that every investment does, of course, carry some degree of exposure, where forecasts for the year ahead are based on what we know now, and can’t incorporate any new reforms or announcements still to come.

For more advice about preparing your portfolio for 2026, assessing your current risk exposure levels, or scheduling a full portfolio review, please contact your nearest Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management office at your convenience.

© Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management.
Chase Buchanan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission with CIF Licence 287/15 and offers its services in the EU on a cross-border basis as per the provisions of MiFID.
Chase Buchanan Insurance Services, Agents & Advisors is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Insurance Companies Control Service with License No 6883 and offers services in the EU on a cross-border basis as per the provisions of the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD).

Investing in financial instruments involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of investments may go up as well as down and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. You may lose part or all of your invested capital.

*Information correct as at November 2025