1. Residence and treaty position
Record citizenships, current and expected tax residence, departure and arrival dates, work location and family ties. Residence tests differ, and a double-tax treaty may resolve competing claims without eliminating filing obligations. Identify which country can tax salary, investment income, pension payments, property and gains.
2. Pension map
List first-pillar entitlements, occupational pensions, vested benefits, private pensions and employer plans in every country. For each, record access age, currency, beneficiaries, guarantees, fees and expected tax treatment. Do not assume a foreign plan will receive the same tax recognition as it has at home.
3. Wrappers and investment portability
Check whether banks, platforms and insurers can continue serving you after the move. Review fund eligibility, withholding taxes, local reporting and any special rules linked to citizenship. A tax-efficient wrapper in one country may be neutral or penalised in another.
4. Currency and liquidity
Match near-term relocation costs and emergency reserves to the currencies in which they will be spent. Then assess the long-term portfolio against future liabilities. Avoid converting everything on one day merely because the address changes; equally, do not ignore a concentrated currency mismatch.
5. Estate and beneficiaries
Review wills, marital-property rules, powers of attorney and pension beneficiary nominations. Cross-border estates can involve several legal systems. Confirm where assets are located, which law may apply and whether nominated beneficiaries match the broader estate plan.
6. Reporting and implementation
Create a calendar of tax returns, foreign-account disclosures, pension applications, treaty claims and provider deadlines. Assign an adviser or owner to each action and preserve statements, valuations and transfer evidence. Finish with a one-page action list: act now, monitor, or intentionally leave unchanged.
A better next step
Before acting, bring the pension, tax and investment decisions into one cross-border review. Hansa Perpetual can help structure the questions and coordinate the planning process with appropriately qualified tax and legal specialists where required.