Last Updated on 15th October 2025
Offshore investment platforms are commonly used by international expats who want to build well-diversified portfolios, especially where they prioritise access to global markets and assets or need to create tax-efficient investment plans.
One of the primary considerations is whether to invest a lump sum in an offshore platform, either within a single fund or multiple products, or to make periodic contributions to gradually and sustainably grow your wealth.
We’ve looked at both options, alongside some of the other factors to be aware of, to give you a better idea about what savings or investment structures might be most appropriate for your objectives.
Key Facts About Offshore Investment Platforms
Let’s start by sharing some general information about how offshore investment platforms work if you’re unfamiliar with offshore investment or modern multi-product platforms.
| Location | Offshore platforms can be based in numerous jurisdictions but tend to be established in those located within countries with advantageous tax rules. |
| Access | Investors can typically access their accounts from any location or device and can consolidate different investments into a single account for enhanced oversight. |
| Fund Types | There are varied potential assets and investments available through these platforms, and the most suitable options will depend on your risk tolerance and existing portfolio. Examples include:
You may discover that the flexibility and customisation of your investments depend on the specific platform you select, some are designed more as tax-efficient savings accounts, whereas others are more complex investment platforms. |
| Management | Expats can self-manage their offshore investments or work with wealth management advisers and other professionals. Advisers can provide either ongoing management or regular reviews to analyse how investments are performing and suggest changes or opportunities. |
| Risks |
Your tax residency position may influence your options, because some countries have strict regulations that limit your access to international investments. Other risks relate to the complexity of complying with regulations when assets are held overseas, a lack of financial protection, and fluctuations in investment values when held in currencies other than that of your place of residence. |
Risks and Returns on Lump-Sum vs Regular Contributions Into Offshore Investments
On to our question about the pros and cons of lump sum vs. regular investing, and we’ve collated a list of some of the main benefits, risks, and caveats to keep in mind when you’re making decisions about what works best for you.
| Lump Sum Investments | Ongoing Contributions | |
| Benefits | Enables higher take-up of secure investment opportunities: Platforms and funds with consistently good returns can be appealing, and inevitably, the more you invest in a fund, the greater your ability to capitalise on those returns.
Immediate access: Making a bigger investment means you begin benefiting from full exposure to the relevant market or fund right away. Tax deferrals: Gains made on offshore investments are typically tax deferred until you make a withdrawal. |
Lower barriers to entry: Many expats with a modest amount of expendable income per month can make regular deposits into an investment or savings account.
Minimal impact on budgets: Regular contributions are easier to budget for and won’t cause any significant change in lifestyle. Strategic timings: Being able to pick and choose when to invest provides the benefit of avoiding currency exchange rate risks, selecting the right moment to make a deposit when rates are favourable. |
| Use Cases | Creating a sizable offshore investment: Those with substantial amounts of wealth that aren’t currently earning any income can invest to a greater extent, with options to tailor offshore funds and assets to ensure diversity. | Gradually building an investment pot: Investment platforms that accept periodic contributions provide a way to continually generate small returns, while reinvesting them to grow the size of the overall investment. |
| Drawbacks | Greater exposure to underperformance: Investing a larger amount into an offshore platform means the entirety of that investment could be exposed to poor performance or declines in fund values.
Minimum holding periods: Funds and platforms will sometimes have a minimum expectation in terms of how long you are prepared to leave your funds in situ, with penalties for early withdrawal. |
Fewer choices: A great deal of offshore accounts and platforms require minimum investment values that can start at around £100,000 and extend up to £1 million, making them inappropriate for expats with smaller amounts to invest. |
| Risks | Diversification: Investment portfolios need to be balanced to protect against risks, and it is essential that investors know which underlying assets or financial instruments underpin their offshore platform or fund. | Costs: Offshore investment isn’t necessarily low-cost, and the administrative fees, commissions and management charges could make it less worthwhile to invest in a fund with higher ongoing costs. |
Tax Deferral and Other Benefits of Offshore Investments
Earlier, we mentioned tax deferrals and why this can be an incentive for expats to make larger lump sum investments into offshore platforms. The table below summarises this and other core advantages.
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Deferred Tax Obligations | Many offshore investment platforms effectively defer tax, which means you won’t be liable to pay any tax until you draw on your investments. This can make offshore investment a strategy for retirement without ongoing obligations as the fund grows. |
| Planning for Inheritance Tax | Offshore investments can be used to manage inheritance tax obligations, often alongside structured trust ownerships. |
| Long-Term Wealth Accumulation | While it may not always be possible to make immediate and on-demand withdrawals, offshore investing can provide a way to grow your wealth over a longer period without an annual tax bill. |
| Simplified Tax Compliance | Offshore investment does bring with it declaration and reporting requirements. Still, in comparison to owning multiple individual investments, tax compliance is easier if you have one account within one platform. |
Further Guidance About Offshore Investment Platforms
We’ve summarised some of the aspects of offshore investment expats need to know, but as always, we suggest you seek specialised advice before making any decisions about your finances or investments.
Please contact your nearest Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management team if you’d like to arrange a good time to talk or have specific questions about offshore investing that we can assist with.
© 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 October 2025
