Category Archives: Need to know

UK Budget October 2026 – a summary for UAE & GCC expats

Posted on by
Reply

Time for another UK Budget and the first by Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey under the new Andy Burnham government.

Following every Budget or Statement, I write an article to give you a concise overview of some of the main points, with particular reference to any changes that have major relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

This time there are measures that will affect overseas landlords, pensions, and non-resident property owners.

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats, or to people who are no longer tax resident in the UK, so my summaries focus on the points that will be most relevant to us.

I try and keep to the important and relevant points, the things that you need to know, as I appreciate it is rarely exciting reading! Continue reading →

UK Pensions and Inheritance Tax: What Brits in the UAE and GCC Need to Know Before April 2027

Posted on by
1

If you are a British expat living in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere in the GCC, and you assumed your UK pension would pass to your family tax-free it’s time to revisit that assumption.

From 6th April 2027, the rules will change significantly, and combined with reforms already in force since April 2025, the UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) net now reaches further into expat life than it has previously.

Here’s what’s changing, who it affects, and – crucially – what to do about it now. Continue reading →

Need to Know: New UAE laws & rules from 1st June 2026

Posted on by
1

1st June 2026 is a significant day for UAE laws. Several important changes are coming into force, and if you live or work here, some of these will affect you directly.

This article is an easy-to-follow summary so you can keep up to date.

The New Civil Code. The biggest change in 40 years

Continue reading →

Need to know: UK Property Taxes

Posted on by
1

This article is designed to be a brief guide to the taxes that apply to UK property, all in one place.  This is written specifically for the benefit of non-residents of the UK.

I have covered this topic before but tax rules change regularly and it is important that we keep up to date. This article is correct as at April 2026.

You may not be living in the UK, or be “UK resident for tax purposes” but that does not mean you do not have a liability to certain UK taxes.

There are various taxes that apply with in relation to the ownership of UK property and an overview of each of the main ones is set out below.

Continue reading →

Will the Iran conflict affect your life insurance?

Posted on by
Reply

A few clients have contacted me to ask about whether their protection plans, their life insurance policies, are still valid considering the current situation in the UAE, and wider GCC.

In this article I explain the situation and give you some facts. Reassuring facts.

Continue reading →

There is now another important reason why you need a UAE will

Posted on by
Reply

A change in UAE law affects expats who hold bank accounts, property, or other assets in the UAE.

I have written about the many reasons why you need a Will in the past (see 15 reasons here) but this is something new.

If you pass away without a registered Will, your assets are now classified as “unassigned.”

Continue reading →

What if it does happen to you?

Posted on by
1

Imagine receiving news that can totally change your life in an instant.

No one knows what is around the corner. No one knows what will go wrong in their life, when illness will hit, when a breadwinner will die.

You can’t know what will go wrong but you can plan for it. You can be prepared for when life takes a wrong turn.

In the past three months alone, I have some across two cases where a parent has become very, very seriously ill. Both in their 40s. Too ill to work, probably not for many years, if they even survive. They have young children.

Now both families are in trouble as they have expenses and no, or significantly reduced, income. The last thing they need is money problems on top of everything else.

You do not want to be in this situation. And you don’t need to be if you take steps now.

Continue reading →

Need to know: UK Property Taxes

Posted on by
4

This article has been superseded, Please see this revised one, published 21st April 2026

Need to Know: UK Property Taxes

To arrange a discussion about investing in UK property, taxation, or on any aspect of your personal financial planning, please email me at keren@holbornassets.com or use this contact form

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Most meetings take place over Zoom which is great for everyone’s time management and sheer convenience.

I write articles such as this one as part of the holistic personal financial planning service and that I provide to expats in the UAE and wider GCC, and the general consumer, financial and legal information that I provide in The National newspaper, on radio, in other media, and on the Facebook group British Expats Dubai &UAE.

Serious topics, all the facts, friendly conversation.

Please take a look at the other useful articles on this website.

 

Moving from the UAE to the UK? You need a financial exit plan.

Posted on by
4

When you relocate from one country to another there is a great deal you need to think about. This includes the practical problems of shipping your possessions, finding a place to live, finding new schools for children, new employment and so on.

No doubt you will have lists of things to do but one area that is often overlooked is the financial side. It may not be exciting but you need to be aware of these issues to avoid any nasty surprise tax bills, especially in respect of UAE income or offshore investments.

Getting it right will save you money. Getting it wrong can be expensive.

I provide an exit planning service for people relocating to the UK and this professional service, with a personalised advice and a written report you can refer back to, can save you both money and headaches.

I also offer an advisory service for people moving to the UAE from the UK that covers steps you need to take regarding banks and HMRC, letting out a property, taxation, what to do about your investments and pensions, the local laws and rules, issues about inheritance and protecting assets when in the UAE, and a wide range of general information gained from 18 years of living here.

This updated article is about some of the topics that you need to consider when you leave the UAE to move to the UK:

Continue reading →

New Year, new financial you? 10 tips for getting on track in 2024

Posted on by
Reply

Whether or not you make formal resolutions at the start of a year, I am willing to bet that you have certain hopes when it comes to your financial situation.

You may dream of retiring at age 55. Perhaps you want to buy a holiday home or an investment property? Do you want to take a year off to travel the world? Maybe you know you need to put a few things in place to get properly organised?

You need to take action to turn these hopes into reality.

Invariably we could all do a little better and a little focus rarely goes amiss. With that in mind here’s a list of 10 steps you can take to get yourself financially fitter in 2024.

Continue reading →