Navigating Life As An Expat in Malaysia

Do You Really Need A Financial Adviser As An Expat

Living abroad can be an incredible adventure. Whether it’s the pull of a more relaxed lifestyle, greater career opportunities, or simply a desire for change, becoming an expat often opens doors that staying home may not. I know this firsthand, after over a decade of working and living internationally across France, Malaysia, and the UK, I have experienced both the rewards and the roadblocks.

From managing investments in different countries to reassessing pensions after moving to different countries, I’ve walked the same path many of my clients are on now. That’s why I often get asked: “Do I really need a financial adviser as an expat?”

The honest answer? Not always. Some people do have the knowledge, discipline, and time to manage everything themselves. But many (Including myself) do not and that is okay. This is not about selling fear, it is about helping you reflect on whether you are truly covered, structured, and optimised for a cross-border lifestyle.

So, let’s explore what it really takes to go it alone and when working with a professional might offer clarity, security, and long-term value.

You can read my own journey here:

When You Might Not Need A Financial Adviser As An Expat

You might not need a financial adviser if you can confidently say “yes” to every point below. This is not just a generic checklist, it is drawn from real-life scenarios I have helped many of my clients navigate, and ones I also faced over years of living and working in various countries.

Do You Understand International Tax Planning

Are you comfortable navigating the tax rules of multiple countries, handling dual residency issues, and interpreting double taxation agreements?

When I first moved abroad, I naively assumed the tax rules would be similar or at least logical. But they are complex and constantly changing. I have had clients unintentionally overpay tax or miss deadlines simply because they did not realise they were triggering tax obligations in another jurisdiction. This can be as simple as not filing the correct form, or missing a deadline and then being pursued by HMRC, the stress and hassle is simply not worth it in most cases!

Read: UK Budget Considerations for Expats

Do You Keep Up With Global Markets and Regulatory Changes

Do you actively track how currency swings, international interest rates, and regulatory shifts affect your investments?

One of my early investment mistakes was tied to political unrest in a region I had not even been following. Being an expat means your finances are exposed to global currents far beyond your home country.

Explore Our Market Insights

Are You Retirement Ready? No Matter Where You End Up Living?

Is your retirement plan structured to work whether you repatriate, settle in Europe, or remain abroad indefinitely?

I have had to restructure my retirement savings multiple times, when leaving France, returning to the UK, and relocating again to Malaysia. Each move added layers of complexity.

Read: Retirement Planning For Expats

Have You Built Truly Global Emergency Funds

Can you access the your emergency funds in the right country, quickly and without penalty?  

Many expats have rainy day funds but not multi-currency, cross-jurisdictional ones. In a real emergency, this matters more than people realise.

Do You Have the Time And Financial Expertise?

I dedicated years to earning my Diploma in Financial Planning (APFS) from the CII and staying up to date. For most busy professionals, it is not a lack of intelligence, but lack of time.

I am proud to be working with a wealth management firm that is a Chartered Insurance Institute International Professional Partner Firm. Read what this means here.

Are Your Financial Goals Clear and Evolving?

Have you revisited your goals recently and ensured your finances align with them?  

When I entered the industry, my focus was building savings. Today, it’s legacy, security, and impact. Financial plans should evolve with life stages.

Does Your Risk Protection Travel With You?

Are your life, health, and income protection policies valid wherever you live?  

Many expats only find out their policies do not apply abroad when it’s too late.

Check Out Our International Life Insurance

Does Your Estate Plan Or Succession Plan Work Internationally?

If something happened to you, would your assets transfer smoothly to your loved ones?  

I have seen Wills become invalid and trust structures fail across borders. Do not leave this to chance.

Read: Succession Planning With Multi-jurisdictional Assets

Do You Know How To Manage Currency Risk and Financial Structure?

Currency volatility is a very real thing. When I was saving in MYR and the pound dropped, it hurt me badly. Without proper structuring, you are vulnerable to this, especially if you still have commitments in other countries, for example university fees for children or a mortgage.  

Do You Know Your Financial Options As An Expat?

Are you familiar with the variety of different options open to you as an expat?  Structures such as, International SIPPs, Offshore Bonds, International Life Insurance? If not, you could be missing tax-efficient opportunities.

Are You Backed By The Right Financial Platforms and Professionals

I have seen expats stranded when their advisers have moved countries or simply retired. Continuity matters, especially when you are far from home.

What If You Answered “No” To Even One?

If any of these made you pause, you are not alone. Many expats start strong but over time, find themselves juggling outdated pension pots, fragmented accounts, and unfamiliar tax obligations.  

I have walked this path, both personally and professionally and that’s why I do what I do.

Why Work With An Expat-Focused Financial Adviser?

Over the years, I have worked with expats from all walks of life — entrepreneurs, tech directors, NGO workers, retirees, and corporate leaders. Many of them did not initially seek out a financial adviser. In fact, many were not even sure they needed one.

Nevertheless, what became the common thread? At some point, life abroad became more complex than they anticipated and that’s exactly where someone like me comes in.

Here’s why working with an expat-focused financial adviser can make all the difference — especially someone who’s walked a similar path:

A Good Expat Financial Adviser Will Provide A Tailored Strategy That Matches Your Life Abroad.

When you live internationally, standard financial advice doesn’t cut it. UK-based advice often ignores the tax differences, currency variations, and jurisdictional nuances of your current life and purely local advice in your host country can miss the bigger picture of your long-term goals.  

Having lived and worked for a number of years in the UK, Europe, and Malaysia, I know what it feels like to juggle different systems, currencies, and try to plan for your future. That’s why I take a holistic, international approach, aligning your finances with your lifestyle today, while preparing for the life you might want in five, ten, or twenty years' time.

Whether you are:

• Sending money home to support family  

• Investing in GBP while earning in MYR  

• Considering a return to the UK vs permanent life in Asia  

I work with clients to ensure that your strategy reflects your unique situation, not just a generic plan pulled off the shelf.

Expat Financial Advisers Specialise in Proactive Risk Management Across Borders.

Expats often unknowingly carry unseen risks; gaps in insurance coverage, misaligned tax liabilities, or estate plans that do not work internationally.  

For example, I once met a British expat in KL with a solid pension and investment portfolio but no valid Will covering his Malaysian-based assets. Had something happened, his family could have faced delays, legal confusion, and potential losses.  

I dig into those details so you don’t have to. From making sure your life insurance is globally portable, to confirming your beneficiaries are correctly designated across all accounts, to preparing for sudden changes like relocation, illness, or repatriation.  

My role is to stress-test your financial roadmap, so that no matter what life throws at you, you are protected.

We Keep Track And Realign Your Financial Roadmap With Your Evolving Life Goals.

When you move abroad, your priorities often shift. You might start out focused on savings, but later want to buy property, plan for children’s education, or prepare for retirement in a different country.  

Personally, I have lived through this evolution myself. I started in the UK advising on mortgages, then pivoted to cross-border wealth planning in France, and eventually returned to Malaysia to serve the international community full-time.  

My advice is always grounded in where you are now, and where you are headed. Whether that’s a return to the UK, a second passport through investment migration, or building wealth in Malaysia, we adjust your plan as your story unfolds.

We Provide Financial Advice That’s Independent, Transparent, and Human.

Let’s face it, the financial world can be full of jargon, fees, and confusing products. That’s not how I operate.  

I pride myself on honest, human conversations, where no question is too simple, and no goal is too big. I will explain everything in plain English, make sure you understand every decision, and always recommend what’s in your best interest, not what’s most profitable for someone else.  

Whether we’re reviewing your investment portfolio or creating an offshore trust, my promise is the same: you will feel informed, empowered, and supported.

Have Peace Of Mind With Your Finances, So You Can Focus On What Matters.

Moving abroad is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Finances should not add to that stress.  

With the right adviser by your side, you gain clarity and calm. You know where everything is, what it’s doing, and who it’s for. You sleep better knowing your family is protected, your money is growing, and your goals are in motion.  

I have had clients tell me, “This is the first time I have felt in control since I moved abroad.” That’s what it’s all about.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About The Numbers – It's About The Life You Are Building.

Financial advice should not be about pressure or jargon. It should be about understanding your story; where you have been, where you are going, and what really matters to you along the way.

As someone who’s navigated the expat journey personally and professionally, I’ve seen the peace of mind that comes from having a structured, but also flexible plan that works globally, not just locally. Whether it is making sure your retirement pot is not silently eroding, ensuring your life insurance actually covers your country of residence, or simply getting your money out of underperforming structures, these are not small matters. They are life-shaping decisions.

Working with an adviser such as myself is not about handing over control, it is about gaining control with the right guidance. You have worked hard to build your life abroad. Let’s make sure your finances keep up and support the freedom, flexibility, and future you have worked for.  

No pressure, no obligation, just an open conversation. If this article made you pause or raised a question, I would love to connect.

Read: Holistic Financial Planning – The Core of My Practice

Let’s Connect

If any of this resonates or if you simply have questions about your pension, insurance, or investments, I’d love to help. You may email me at adamhumphries@melbournecapitalgroup.com or connect with me on Linkedin.