4 Things You Must Do As an Expat Before Brexit

What is going to happen when Brexit comes into effect? Let's be honest, no one really knows when Brexit it. That is apart from one thing – Brexit will one way or the other effect your finances. More than likely Brexit will have some negative impact on your expat finances. You can't really bulletproof your finances, however, there are steps which you can take to make your income and personal financial arrangement less vulnerable. 

Our expat living standards are important to us. Many expats living in Spain or in other warm countries around the world, retired early to enjoy life. Brexit will have an impact on our standard of living in many different ways. Most expats in Spain are looking into how they can cut back on expenses to enjoy the things which we may now take for granted. 

4 Things All Expats Should Be Doing Right Now

If you have not already done them, there are 4 top things which expats living in Spain should be doing right now. Keeping up your standard of living should be top of your agenda. After all, living in Spain is very much about enjoying life.

Expat Savings Reviews

How are your savings doing? I bet that you are concerned about your savings. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain, you will be classed as a resident. Even if you have what you may consider a relatively small amount of money saved, you should complete an expat savings review. Take a look around the Internet, and you will find there are independent financial advisers who are happy to help you complete a complimentary expat financial review. This is just as important whether you live in Spain or Singapore.

Your savings in Spain are one of the things which could help to top up your income should any UK based investments cause a problem after Brexit.

Brexit and Expat Pensions

Many Spanish UK expats have raised concerns about the state of private pensions after Brexit. The jury seems to be out on this issue. In fact, it could be that you may not be able to receive your UK private pension in Spain after Brexit. 

As things are so unclear, and this is an issue for many UK expats in Spain and other EU countries, it is best to contact a financial adviser. There could still be some options available, but according to an article in the Independent, there is real cause for concern if the UK should crash out of the EU without a deal. Instead of being complacent, you need to review your options for your UK pension as soon as possible. 

Brexit and Exchange Rates

Are you receiving a regular income from the UK in the form on rental income on a property or other type of income such as regular bank transfers? Once again, you need to make sure you take steps to protect yourself from the expected negative effect on Sterling exchange rates which Brexit is expected to have. Check out some of the currency transfer companies around. They have plenty of experience in currency forecasting and can offer better rates than banks.

Expat Health Insurance and Brexit

What is going to happen to health agreements? This is another thing which is up in the affair. Brexit will certainly make travel insurance for UK residents more expensive, but how will it affect UK expats living in Spain and other EU countries? This is the big unknown, and if you are concerned, now is a  good time as any to check out expat health insurance.

The companies which offer expat health insurance range from Spanish companies to well-established UK health insurance companies such as Cigna and BUPA. One top tip before you invest in an expat health insurance. Make sure that you completely understand the policy. Most of the time expat health insurance will not cover the cost of medicines. You may have to deal with the cost of medicine in a different way. Before you buy international health insurance review what you are being offered and get everything in writing. 

Brexit is going to mean a brave new world for many expats in Spain other European countries. You should familiarise yourself with all of the potential risks before a Brexit deal is accepted, or the UK leaves the EU without a deal.