Financial Advice for British Expats in Bahrain: Pensions, Investments & Tax Planning

British Expats in Bahrain: Are You Making the Most of Your Financial Position?

Bahrain remains a popular destination for British expats working in finance, oil & gas, education, and beyond. Its business-friendly environment, close proximity to Saudi Arabia, and relatively liberal lifestyle make it an attractive place to live and earn tax-free income.

But when it comes to financial planning, too many expats in Bahrain are under-advised—or worse, tied into inflexible products that don’t serve their long-term goals.

At our firm, we specialise in providing UK-standard, fully regulated advice to British expatriates in Bahrain and across the Gulf. Whether you’re focused on pension transfers, investment strategy, or tax-efficient planning, we can help you make the most of your time abroad.

UK Pension Transfers: Is a QROPS or SIPP Right for You?

One of the biggest financial decisions expats face is what to do with their UK pension. If you’re living in Bahrain, you may have heard about QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes) or SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions).

Both have their merits, and choosing the right one depends on your individual goals, tax status, and future plans.

We help clients:

• Understand if a QROPS is appropriate, and avoid the 25% overseas transfer charge by structuring things correctly

• Compare QROPS vs. SIPP options, costs, and flexibility

• Consolidate old pensions into a single, modern structure

• Align pension strategies with longer-term tax and retirement planning

With so many providers in the market, getting impartial advice is essential.

Inheritance Tax: Still Relevant—Even From Bahrain

Many British expats mistakenly believe that living abroad removes them from UK inheritance tax rules. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case.

Unless you’ve formally changed your UK domicile (a difficult and rarely successful process), your estate remains fully exposed to UK inheritance tax (IHT) at 40%—even if you’ve been living in Bahrain for years.

We help expats in Bahrain:

• Reduce or eliminate IHT exposure through trusts, offshore investment structures, and family planning strategies

• Use tax-efficient gifting while retaining control of capital

• Understand how UK domicile rules apply and what options exist to protect your estate

The earlier you plan, the more options you have.

Investment Planning: Avoid High Fees & Lock-In Contracts

The Gulf has long been associated with commission-driven financial advice—where expats are sold offshore bonds or “investment plans” with high charges, long tie-ins, and little follow-up service.

We take a different approach.

As a UK-qualified advisory team, we offer:

• Fee-based advice with full transparency

• Access to high-quality, globally diversified portfolios

• Flexibility if you move to another country—or return to the UK

• Regular reviews to ensure your plan stays on track

If you’re not sure what you’re paying or haven’t heard from your adviser in over a year, we offer second-opinion portfolio reviews at no cost.

Time Abroad Is an Opportunity—Make It Count

Living in Bahrain provides a window of opportunity to build lasting wealth. But failing to plan properly—or relying on poor advice—can result in unnecessary tax exposure, underperforming investments, and missed opportunities.

We work with British expats worldwide to provide smart, forward-thinking advice that puts your long-term financial goals first.

Book a 30-Minute Discovery Call

Whether you’re considering a pension transfer, want to review your investment portfolio, or need to reduce your UK inheritance tax exposure, we’re here to help.

👉 Click here to schedule a no-obligation discovery call with one of our UK-qualified advisers or get in touch via the contact form below.

Also read: Financial Advice for British Expats in Qatar