Expats living in Portugal and holding UK-based assets are being urged to reassess their financial strategies in light of sweeping changes brought in by the UK Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025 Budgets.

The call to action comes ahead of a live expert-led webinar on April 24th, hosted by deVere Portugal, which will unpack the implications of the latest UK tax reforms for expats in Portugal, the registration link below.

With mounting concerns over tax efficiency and cross-border investment planning, the event has already drawn strong interest from residents navigating the complexities of dual tax exposure.

“Many people assume that living abroad shields them from the effects of the UK Budget,” says Jake McLaughlin, Executive Director at deVere Portugal, who will co-host the session.

“But if you still have UK-based property, pensions, investments or bank accounts, these new rules absolutely affect you. It’s no longer enough to ‘set and forget’ your UK assets.”

The UK’s recent fiscal announcements have introduced major changes to capital gains tax, inheritance planning rules, and pension allowances—policies that disproportionately impact those with lingering financial ties to Britain.

At the same time, Portugal has seen notable shifts in its own tax regime, most notably the phasing out of the popular Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) programme, further adding to the uncertainty.

McLaughlin warns that ignoring these changes could lead to costly tax consequences. “We’re now in a transition phase where many are finding their assumptions challenged. The worst thing you can do is nothing. That’s why this webinar is so important—it’s about giving people clarity, strategy and a sense of control.”

Also speaking at the event will be James Green, Regional Director at deVere Group, and Aline Almeida, Co-Founder and Tax Partner at ILYA Advisors. Together, the panel will explore how individuals can structure their assets more tax-efficiently, maximise available reliefs, and protect their wealth in a shifting global environment.

Attendees can expect actionable insights on: Capital Gains Tax treatment on UK property sales post-reform; pension flexibility and the new lifetime allowance framework; how UK Budget updates intersect with Portugal’s changing residency rules; and proactive investment strategies tailored for cross-border residents.

“In many cases, people aren’t aware that they could be making simple changes now that might save them tens of thousands of euros down the line,” says McLaughlin.

“We’ll be looking at real-life case studies to show exactly what can be done.”

deVere Portugal is part of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organization, which has $14bn under advisement and more than 80,000 expat clients globally. The group has long served as a key partner for international professionals and retirees facing complex cross-border financial challenges.

The webinar comes at a time when many expats are seeking to balance lifestyle aspirations with long-term financial planning. With more UK retirees and professionals settling in Portugal than ever before, the need for informed, agile decision-making has never been more vital.

“People move to Portugal for the lifestyle and the weather,” McLaughlin added. “But peace of mind about your finances should be part of the equation too. We want to make sure everyone has the tools they need to thrive.”

The event will be broadcast live on April 24 at 10:00 Lisbon time. Registration is open via Zoom and attendance is free, and you save your space here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6017442658406/WN_Qzt-SOq5Q2yd-7G2XmeSFw#/registration if you wish to contact Jake directly, you can email here: jake.mclaughlin@devere-portugal.pt