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

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 →

Invest in Cambridge – smart homes with no bills

Invest in a better kind of home with a deposit of just 5%. Purchase prices from just £169,995. Initial deposit from just £8,500.

This is a new development in The Fens, commuting distance to the lovely city of Cambridge.

  • Future proof homes
  • Future proof living
  • Future proof investing

Extremely competitive prices in a family-friendly location.

With a low initial deposit of just 5%, you pay the balance of the deposit to 30%, by way of monthly payments.

These properties provide multiple benefits for the planet, the environment, occupiers and investors. 

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

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

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Worth Every Penny – Wolverhampton property

Undervalued Wolverhampton: strong yields with growing demand

UK property remains a steady long-term investment and I have a new development I want to share with you.

Let me introduce Penny Place, in the heart of Wolverhampton.

For investors seeking strong yields, genuine growth potential, and an affordable entry point, Wolverhampton deserves serious consideration.

Remember, we do the research into the best places to invest in UK property, so you don’t need to. You can buy with confidence, knowing you are creating a future income.

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Will the Iran conflict affect your life insurance?

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.

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UK Spring Statement March 2026 – a summary for GCC residents

For those of us in the Middle East our thoughts are understandably on issues closer to our current homes at this time but this still has relevance to UK nationals and those with assets in the UK.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, the RT Hon Rachel Reeves, has shared her update on the UK economy – the Spring Statement. This is not a Budget, but an update, a forecast statement.

It covers the latest estimates for growth, unemployment, inflation, government spending and income from taxation has been published by The Office for Budget Responsibility.

Think of if as a bit of report card and some qualified predictions.

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. Quick, easy to follow, and informative

The UK press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to expats so i alsoway write someitnung for us, although this has little of direct relevane to non-residents.

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

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.”

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Invest in UK property with a deposit of only £7,500

Yes, really.  You don’t need large sums to start investing in UK property. You really can start with a deposit of only 5%.

Buying an investment property in the UK, a low-risk and steady market is much more affordable than you might think.

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UK Spring Statement March 2025 – a summary for GCC residents

This was not a Budget according to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, but rather a forecast statement so we were not expecting much in the way of announcements.

It was information about the financial balance sheet of the UK.

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 particular relevance to those living outside of the UK, and especially in the GCC.

The British press will cover many points in detail but much of it will not be directly relevant to those of us who do not live in the UK so this article focuses on the issues that will be of most interest to us.

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Living in the UAE. 10 major money mistakes you want to avoid

Moving to the UAE is a big change. Living in the UAE, or even the wider GCC, is not quite like life elsewhere.

It is not uncommon for expats for make a few financial mistakes but proper planning, some research, and the right advice will make for a better experience, and a better life generally.

This article has a list of the most common errors and while some may seem obvious, they are all made regularly. Knowledge is power so have a read and make sure you aren’t making mistakes that you could easily avoid.

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