Avoid the 7 common mistakes expats make in wealth management

Managing your assets from abroad is a complex reality that many expatriates discover the hard way. Between unfamiliar reporting requirements, residual French taxes, and neglected estate planning, mistakes can cost tens of thousands of euros. This guide identifies the most common pitfalls encountered by expatriates and wealthy families, and offers concrete strategies for securing and optimizing your assets internationally, regardless of your location.

Table of Contents

• Declaring foreign bank accounts: a forgotten obligation
• Underestimating the impact of inflation on one's assets
• French taxation: errors in perception and consequences
• Buying property in France without an inheritance strategy
• International estate planning: don't overlook the differences
• Choosing an advisor without international expertise: a common pitfall
• Double taxation: how to avoid it through tax treaties
• Expert solutions for expatriates: secure your assets with Balmont Conseil
• Frequently asked questions about wealth management for expatriates

Key Points

Declaring foreign bank accounts: a forgotten obligation

Many expatriates are unaware of this fundamental rule: any bank account held abroad must be declared annually to the French tax authorities, even if you are no longer a tax resident in France. This obligation applies as soon as you have financial ties to France.

THE fines for failure to declare These penalties can reach €1,500 per undeclared account, or even €10,000 if the account is held in a non-cooperative state. These sanctions accumulate year after year, transforming a simple oversight into a substantial tax liability.

To avoid this mistake, here are the steps to follow each year:

1. List all your bank accounts opened abroad, including dormant accounts.
2. Complete form 3916 attached to your annual income tax return.
3. Check if a bilateral tax treaty applies to your country of residence.
4. Consult an expert in taxation of non-residents to validate your situation.

Pro tip: If you have failed to declare accounts in the past, voluntary regularization with the non-resident individual tax service often allows you to significantly reduce penalties.

Underestimating the impact of inflation on one's assets

Inactive savings are a silent trap. Leaving cash in a current account or a low-interest savings account means accepting a loss of purchasing power of 10 to 20% over five years, depending on the inflation levels observed in recent years.

Key figure: Savings of 200,000 euros left uninvested can lose between 20,000 and 40,000 euros in real value in five years, solely due to inflation.

For expatriates, there are many suitable investment options. Here are the most relevant:

• International SCPIs : accessible from abroad, they offer diversified real estate exposure without direct management.
• Luxembourg assurance-vie : a tax-advantaged investment vehicle, recognized in many countries.
• ETFs and index funds : simple, liquid and inexpensive ways to boost a portfolio.
• Rental property : generator of regular income, provided that the applicable taxation is anticipated.

There wealth management for expatriate retirees This illustrates the challenge well: without a clear investment strategy, savings accumulated during an international career can erode rapidly.

Pro tip: Review your asset allocation at least once a year, taking into account your country of residence, your investment horizon and your exposure to foreign currencies.

French taxation: errors in perception and consequences

Many expatriates mistakenly believe that leaving France erases all tax obligations to the French authorities. This is a costly error. Certain income remains taxable in France even after expatriation, notably rental income and some assurance-vie proceeds.

Here are the most frequently affected incomes:

• Rents received on real estate located in France
• Capital gains on real estate in France
• Dividends from French companies (according to the applicable convention)
• Partial or total redemptions of assurance-vie policies taken out in France

To delve deeper into these topics, the Balmont Conseil blog offers regularly updated analyses. Consulting a specialist in non-resident taxation remains the best way to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Buying property in France without an inheritance strategy

Purchasing property in France from abroad without planning for its transfer is one of the most costly mistakes expatriates can make. Without proper planning, your heirs could face high inheritance taxes and complex administrative hurdles.

Two strategies can be used to secure the transmission:

1. The SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) : it facilitates the transfer of company shares, which is often more tax-efficient than the direct sale of the asset.
2. The division of ownership : by separating usufruct and bare ownership, you reduce the taxable base at the time of inheritance.

L'’tax optimization of impatriation and the Property management for expatriates These are two complementary approaches to tackling these issues methodically.

International estate planning: don't overlook the differences

Inheritance is often the last thing people think about when moving abroad. Yet it's one of the most urgent matters to address. Inheritance laws vary considerably depending on the country of residence and where assets are held.

Some concrete examples:

• In France, The reserved portion of the estate protects children but limits testamentary freedom.
• At Luxembourg, European rules allow one to choose the law applicable to their estate.
• In Jordan or in other countries with Islamic law, inheritance may be governed by Sharia, with very different rules for spouses and children.

«"Planning your estate from the outset, even when you're abroad, will spare your loved ones years of legal proceedings and avoidable financial losses."» Alexis Sagnier, Balmont Conseil

There estate planning must be integrated from the asset structuring phase. For the expatriates and families abroad, anticipate before the departure abroad is the best decision.

Choosing an advisor without international expertise: a common pitfall

Hiring a generalist wealth advisor when your situation involves multiple countries is a common mistake. A non-specialist advisor may lack a comprehensive overview and be unaware of bilateral tax treaties, exposing their clients to significant risks.

Here are the skills you should expect from your advisor:

• In-depth knowledge of French-foreign tax treaties
• Proven experience with expatriate clients in several countries
• Mastery of the rules of tax residence and inheritance domicile
• objectivity towards banking institutions (priority given to your interests)
• Ability to coordinate local experts in each country concerned

Using a specialist international expatriate advisor guarantees a coherent and comprehensive approach, tailored to the reality of your cross-border assets.

Pro tip: During an initial interview, ask directly: "How many expatriate clients in my country of residence do you currently support?" The answer speaks volumes about the level of real expertise.

Double taxation: how to avoid it through tax treaties

Double taxation occurs when the same income is taxed both in the country of residence and in France. This risk is real and poorly managed without knowledge of bilateral agreements, which precisely define which state has the right to tax each type of income.

Here's how to use tax treaties effectively:

1. Identify if a convention exists between France and your country of residence.
2. Determine the type of income concerned (salary, dividend, rent, pension).
3. Apply the mechanism provided: exemption, tax credit or reduced rate.
4. Keep proof of foreign tax residence for any refund request.

Rigorous monitoring of your non-resident taxation allows these mechanisms to be activated correctly and avoids any excessive taxation.

Expert solutions for expatriates: secure your assets with Balmont Conseil

Identifying errors is the first step. Correcting and anticipating them requires expertise that few generalist firms can offer. Balmont Conseil supports expatriates, executives, and high-net-worth families with a tailored approach, integrating international taxation, legal structuring, and asset management across multiple countries.

Whether you wish to structure your wealth expatriation, anticipate your estate planning or optimize your entire gFor wealth management advice, the experts at Balmont Conseil are available for an initial confidential consultation. The firm's objectivity guarantees transparent advice focused solely on your wealth management objectives.

Frequently asked questions about wealth management for expatriates

What are the major tax risks for an expatriate?

The main risks include failure to declare foreign accounts and double taxation, which can lead to significant fines and excessive taxation on income already taxed abroad.

How can I prevent my savings abroad from losing value?

Investing your savings and diversifying your portfolio helps protect your purchasing power. Inactive savings can lose 10 to 20% of their real value in five years due to inflation.

What assets are taxable for a non-resident of France?

Rental income and certain assurance-vie products remain taxable in France even after expatriation, regardless of the country of tax residence.

Should one adapt their succession strategy in the event of expatriation?

Yes, it is essential to adapt your inheritance strategy because the rules vary greatly depending on the country of residence and can directly affect the transfer of your assets.

What criteria should be used to choose an international wealth management advisor?

Choose an expert who is proficient in bilateral tax treaties, has proven experience with expatriates and guarantees total objectivity towards financial institutions.

Recommendation

• The 7-Step Guide to Wealth Management for Expats – Balmont Conseil
• Property management for expatriates: how to secure €1.3 million in assets? – Balmont Conseil
• Wealth relocation abroad – Balmont Conseil
• Expatriates and non-residents: Why choose a wealth management advisor to manage your assets remotely? – Balmont Conseil