What to Do If You No Longer Have an Active Financial Adviser in the EU

Financial planning is not a one-off event. It is an ongoing process that should evolve as your circumstances, residency, tax position and long-term objectives change. This is especially true for international professionals and anyone living outside their home country.

However, some investors find themselves without an active financial adviser. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Firms may change their regulatory permissions, adjust their target market, or restructure their client base. In other cases, individuals move to another country and lose contact with their previous adviser. Over time, what was once a structured financial plan can begin to feel static or unsupported.

If you no longer have an active adviser relationship, it may be worth reviewing where you stand.

Why ongoing advice matters

Financial plans are living documents; they need to evolve as your life changes and the world changes around us. We often see instances where a client's core objectives change and that can require the whole financial plan to be restructured. Ongoing advice ensures your plan remains relevant, and that you are on track.

Financial products are the tools used to achieve the objectives set out in your financial plan. Investment assets, retirement arrangements and other products are composed into a portfolio that is designed to operate over many years. But markets move, legislation evolves and personal circumstances change.

Without regular reviews, it can become unclear whether:

• Your investment strategy still reflects your risk tolerance and time horizon

• Your portfolio remains appropriately diversified

• Your arrangements are still suitable for your current country of residence

Even if you are invested in older style products that cannot be so easily altered, understanding how they fit within your wider financial picture can provide clarity and reassurance.

Taking stock of your current position

If you find yourself with a new adviser, the first step is usually a structured review of your existing arrangements. This does not necessarily mean replacing what you already have. It means understanding:

• What you own

• How it is structured

• What it costs

• What flexibility you have

• And most importantly, how it aligns with your long-term objectives

In some cases, existing arrangements may continue to serve their purpose. In others, there may be opportunities to optimise your wider financial planning around them.

A cross-border perspective

For expats and internationally mobile families, financial planning often involves multiple jurisdictions. Tax treatment, reporting requirements and investment access can vary significantly between countries.

An adviser experienced in working with cross-border clients can help you:

• Coordinate assets across jurisdictions

• Ensure alignment with your current tax residency

• Avoid unintended complications when relocating

• Manage the complexities of currency as you may find yourself earning in one currency and building assets in another.

• Integrate legacy products into a broader financial plan

The aim is to ensure your current structure remains appropriate for where you are today.

If you are looking for a new financial advice partner

At Black Swan Capital, we work with internationally mobile professionals and expats across Europe. Our focus is on building long-term advisory relationships centred on clarity, transparency and suitability.

If you no longer have an active adviser, or are reviewing your current arrangements, we can provide an initial discussion to understand your position and explore whether we are the right fit for you.

You can contact us here to arrange a confidential conversation.