Confidentiality
A provider keeps client information within the relationship, subject to law: data protection, a court order, a regulator, and reporting the law requires.
Wealth
Understanding offshore investing
Understand account jurisdiction, custody, reporting, tax transparency and portability before using an offshore investment arrangement.
Offshore describes where an account is booked. It does not, by itself, describe tax treatment.
“Offshore” usually means that an account, investment structure or financial institution is based in a jurisdiction different from the investor’s country of residence.
That alone does not make the arrangement tax-free, secret or unsuitable. In many cases, offshore accounts are simply part of an international financial setup — used because the investor lives abroad, holds assets in several currencies, wants access to a particular custodian, or needs an account that can remain portable across jurisdictions.
The important questions are not whether an account is “offshore”, but which legal entity serves you, how assets are held, what reporting applies, which protections exist, what the full costs are and whether the arrangement still works if your residence changes.
The big picture
Offshore investing is a jurisdictional question before it is an investment question.
You may live in one country, hold an account in another, invest in funds domiciled elsewhere and spend in a fourth. The challenge is understanding which rules, costs and reporting obligations attach to each layer.
The basics
What does “offshore” actually mean?
Offshore generally describes a financial relationship based outside the investor’s main country of residence. The word describes a location. It does not describe a tax outcome.
- Bank accounts
- Investment accounts
- Custody accounts
- Insurance-based investment wrappers
- Trusts
- Holding companies
- Funds domiciled in another jurisdiction
Offshore does not automatically mean secret, unregulated or tax-efficient.
A clearer reading
Three claims worth slowing down
Myth
Offshore means tax-free.
Reality
Tax treatment depends on residence, source, structure and local law.
Myth
Offshore means hidden.
Reality
Many jurisdictions participate in international information exchange and client-reporting regimes.
Myth
Offshore means risky.
Reality
Risk depends on the institution, jurisdiction, custody structure, regulation and product — not simply the word offshore.
Distinction
Offshore investing and cross-border investing are related — but not identical
Cross-border investing
Focus
- The investor and the assets span countries
- Provider access
- Adviser permissions
- Currency
- Tax and reporting
- Portability
Offshore investing
Focus
- The account or structure is booked in another jurisdiction
- Legal entity
- Custody
- Reporting
- Account location
- Local regulation
- Jurisdictional protections
- Tax treatment of the structure
An investor can invest internationally without using an offshore account, and can use an offshore account while holding globally diversified investments.
Read the cross-border investment guideJurisdiction
Where is the account actually based?
The brand, the legal entity, the place the account is booked, the law of the contract, the regulatory framework, where a dispute would be heard, whether the firm may serve you, and what is reported are separate facts. A familiar name does not settle them.
- Which legal entity provides the account?
- In which country is it incorporated?
- Which regulator oversees it?
- Which law governs the contract?
- Where are complaints handled?
- What changes if I move country?
Booking structure
A global brand can serve you through several different entities
A banking group is not the same as a subsidiary. A branch is not the same as a subsidiary. The booking centre, the custody entity, the investment entity, a lending entity and a local servicing office can each be a different company.
Two clients using the same brand may have legally different relationships depending on where the account is booked.
01
Global group
The brand a client recognises.
02
Legal entity
The company that actually contracts with you.
03
Account or booking centre
Where that relationship is booked.
04
Custodian
Who holds the assets.
05
Investments
What is held, which may be domiciled somewhere else again.
Custody
Where are your assets held — and who legally owns them?
You may be the beneficial owner while a nominee is the registered holder. A custodian, and sometimes a sub-custodian, sits in the chain. Assets may be pooled or segregated. Cash may be client money under different rules from the investments. Registration and the place of custody can differ from the place the account is booked.
- Who is the custodian?
- Are assets held separately from the provider?
- Are they held in my name or via a nominee?
- What happens if the provider fails?
- Can assets be transferred elsewhere?
- Are assets held in the same jurisdiction as the account?
Ask which protections apply. This page does not describe a scheme of cover, and it does not treat any structure as a guarantee.
Reporting
Offshore does not mean outside the reporting system
Providers typically identify the account holder, collect beneficial-owner information, and ask where money came from. Many countries exchange account information under international reporting arrangements. The detail of what is sent, and to which authority, depends on the countries and the account. Anti-money-laundering checks are part of opening and keeping the relationship. This page does not set out a filing duty.
An offshore account may still be reportable to the tax authorities where you live.
Do not assume confidentiality means non-disclosure.
Tax
Tax treatment depends on the investor — not just the account location
Residence, concepts such as domicile where a legal system uses them, the source of income, the type of investment, any wrapper, distributions, gains, withdrawals and what happens on death can all matter. The place the account is booked is one fact among those. This page does not state a rate.
Income
Interest and dividends may be relevant where you live, and sometimes where they arise.
Capital gains
A gain on an offshore holding can still be a gain in the country of residence.
Distributions
How money comes out of a fund, a wrapper or a structure can matter as much as where the account is booked.
Withdrawals
Taking cash from the account is not automatically a neutral event. Ask how it may be treated.
Estate and succession
The account’s location can add a further set of rules when someone dies.
WiT Access does not determine whether an offshore account is tax-efficient. That depends on the jurisdictions and the investor’s circumstances.
Currency
One reason offshore accounts are used is multi-currency flexibility
People use them to hold several currencies, to convert less often, to invest in one currency and spend in another, to receive income from abroad, to move money internationally, or to borrow in a currency that is not their own. Each of those can still involve a spread and a currency risk.
Income
GBP / USD
Account
Multi-currency
Investments
USD / EUR / GBP
Spending
AED / EUR
An illustration of how currencies can differ. It is not a recommended mix, and it is not a rate.
Multi-currency capability can improve flexibility, but it does not eliminate FX costs or currency risk.
FX cost comparisonInvestment access
Offshore accounts may offer different product access — but that is not automatically better
The shelf may include global funds, ETFs, bonds, discretionary portfolios, insurance-based wrappers, structured products and products from a local market. Residence can restrict what you can buy. A longer list is not a better portfolio.
- Which products are available to residents of my country?
- Are some products proprietary?
- Are there minimums?
- Can external advisers use the account?
- Are products portable if I move?
- What documentation is provided?
Wrappers
Some offshore investments are held through wrappers rather than ordinary accounts
An insurance-based investment bond, another wrapper, or a custody platform can change who owns the policy, what sits underneath it, how a surrender or withdrawal works, what it costs, and how a jurisdiction treats it. This page does not recommend an offshore bond and does not say how one will be taxed.
A wrapper can change the legal and tax characteristics of the investment. That makes professional advice particularly important.
Costs
Offshore arrangements can contain more layers of cost
Platform fee
A charge for the account itself.
Custody fee
A charge for holding the assets.
Administration fee
A charge for running the arrangement.
Adviser fee
What you pay a person or firm, separately from the account.
Investment-management fee
A charge where someone manages the portfolio.
Product charges
Costs inside the funds or other investments.
Insurance-wrapper charges
Costs inside an insurance-based structure, where one is used.
FX spread
A margin when money is converted.
Transfer fee
A charge for moving money or assets.
Dealing costs
Costs when investments are bought or sold.
Exit or surrender charges
A cost that can apply when you leave a wrapper or close an account.
Ask for the total expected annual cost and any exit or surrender charges in plain monetary terms.
- Which fees are fixed?
- Which scale with portfolio size?
- Which are embedded?
- Which arise on transfer or withdrawal?
- Are there commissions or referral fees?
Protection
What does “asset protection” actually mean?
The phrase is used for several different ideas. None of these should be treated as a guarantee, and an offshore booking does not by itself put assets beyond creditors or tax authorities.
- Custody segregation
- Legal ownership structure
- Creditor-protection concepts, which are a matter of law
- Trust arrangements
- The insolvency law of a jurisdiction
- Spreading banking relationships
Asset-protection outcomes depend heavily on legal structure and jurisdiction. Specialist legal advice may be required.
Confidentiality
Privacy and secrecy are not the same thing
Secrecy
A claim that an account sits outside disclosure. That is not what a lawful offshore account offers, and it is not a feature to shop for.
Legitimate privacy does not mean exemption from legal reporting or disclosure obligations.
Portability
Will the account still work if you move again?
A further move can bring residence restrictions, a change of booking centre, new paperwork, investment limits, a change of adviser, different tax documents and fresh identification checks. Portability is a question to ask before you rely on the account, not after the next flight.
- Can the account remain open?
- Will the legal entity change?
- Can the same assets remain?
- Can new money be added?
- Will fees change?
- Will tax documents change?
- Is a transfer required?
Succession
An offshore account can add another jurisdiction to your estate
The account’s location, whether a will is recognised there, probate or another grant, beneficiaries, any trust, who holds legal title, local estate rules and whether an executor can get access are all part of the same picture.
An offshore account should be considered as part of the wider estate plan, not treated in isolation.
Read the estate-planning guideChoosing a provider
Questions worth asking before opening an offshore account
01Which legal entity provides the account?
Ask for the company on the contract, not only the brand. Two clients of the same group can contract with different companies.
02Which jurisdiction is it based in?
Ask where that company is established and where the account is booked. Those can be different places.
03Which regulator supervises it?
Ask which regulator authorises the entity that will serve you. This page does not name one.
04Where are assets custodied?
Ask for the custodian, and whether a further custodian is used in particular markets.
05How are assets legally held?
Ask whether you are the registered holder or whether a nominee is, and who the beneficial owner is.
06What investor protections apply?
Ask which protections apply to this account type. This page does not describe a compensation scheme or a level of cover.
07Can the provider serve residents of my country?
Ask for your current residence, and for any country you expect to move to. Acceptance is the provider’s decision.
08What happens if I move?
Ask whether the account can continue, whether the booking entity would change, and which products would be restricted.
09What reporting is sent to tax authorities?
Ask what is reported, to whom, and on what basis. An offshore account may still be reportable where you live.
10What information is reported?
Ask whether the report covers the account holder, balances, income, and beneficial ownership. Get the answer from the provider, not from a marketing line.
11Which currencies can I hold?
Ask which currencies are available on the account you would actually open, not on a generic product list.
12What FX costs apply?
Ask for the spread or fee, and when conversion happens. This page does not publish figures.
13Which investments are available?
Ask which products residents of your country can buy. A wide shelf is not the same as access.
14Are proprietary products used?
Ask whether investments put forward are run by the provider or an affiliate, and how that is disclosed.
15What are the total fees?
Ask for account, custody, product, advice, FX and dealing costs together, in money as well as percentages.
16Are there exit charges?
Ask what it costs to leave, including any surrender charge on a wrapper. Separate that from the annual cost.
17Can I transfer assets out in specie?
Ask which holdings can move without being sold, and which cannot.
18What documents will I receive?
Ask for a sample of statements and tax documents, and which country they are designed for.
19Can my own adviser access the account?
Ask what authority is required, and whether that adviser is permitted to act for you.
20What happens if the provider or custodian fails?
Ask which protections apply and how assets would be identified. Do not treat a brand name as a guarantee.
21How are complaints handled?
Ask which body deals with a complaint, and in which country.
22What happens to the account on death?
Ask who can give instructions, whether a local grant is needed, and how beneficiaries are recorded.
Watch for
Potential warning signs
- “Tax-free” claims without qualification
- Secrecy promoted as a benefit
- An unclear legal entity
- An unclear regulator
- An unclear custodian
- An opaque fee structure
- Exit charges that are not explained
- Pressure to transfer quickly
- Aggressive asset-protection claims
- Reluctance to explain reporting
- Proprietary products presented as the only option
- A provider that cannot explain what happens after relocation
A warning sign does not automatically make an arrangement unsuitable. It is a reason to investigate further.
Common situations
Why internationally mobile clients use offshore accounts
Situations in which the questions come up. They are not reasons to open an account.
01
An executive living outside their home country
A portable account, more than one currency, and investment access. The account’s location is a practical question, not a tax plan.
02
A founder after a business sale
A large cash position, where it is held, how it is custodied, and how advice is coordinated. The sale and the account are different decisions.
03
A family moving between countries
Whether the account continues, what must be reported, and how it sits with the estate plan.
04
An international retiree
Investment income, currency, whether the account remains portable, and what happens on death.
05
An investor with assets in several currencies
Flexibility across currencies, custody, and whether reporting is consolidated. Flexibility is not the absence of FX cost.
06
An adviser in one country and an account in another
Who may advise, which legal entity holds the account, who has custody, and what is reported.
Right fit
An offshore account is not automatically the better solution
A domestic account may be the simpler arrangement when life is still largely in one place.
The question is not whether offshore is sophisticated. It is whether the arrangement solves a real problem.
- The investor expects to remain in one country
- A local platform already does the job
- There is no need to hold several currencies
- Portability is not a real requirement
- There is no international adviser relationship to support
- The extra reporting outweighs any practical benefit
- The costs are higher without a clear purpose
Practical checklist
What to confirm before you open the account
- Legal entity
- Regulator
- Custodian
- Account jurisdiction
- Tax reporting
- Whether your residence is accepted
- Currencies
- Investment range
- Adviser access
- Fees
- Exit terms
- Portability
- Estate planning
- How complaints are handled
- How the account is closed
Professional support
When specialist advice may be particularly important
- Tax residence is changing
- A trust or company is involved
- An offshore wrapper is being proposed
- A significant transfer is planned
- Estate planning crosses jurisdictions
- Reporting obligations are unclear
- Source-of-funds documentation is complex
- Adviser permissions are unclear
- Asset-protection claims are being made
Global providers
Compare offshore and international investment providers
An offshore investment arrangement is one where an account, policy, platform or financial institution is based in a jurisdiction different from the investor’s country of residence.
The important questions are where the arrangement is legally based, which entity serves you, how assets are held, what investor or policyholder protections apply, what reporting is available and whether the arrangement remains usable when your residence changes.
Compare international investment platforms, offshore wealth platforms, investment bonds and private-insurance structures available across different jurisdictions.
The providers below perform different roles. A global broker, an offshore investment platform and an international insurance bond are not equivalent products.
Availability depends on your country of residence, nationality, provider entity, product and local regulation.
WiT Access compares publicly available provider information. We do not recommend investments or determine whether a provider is suitable for you.
Global does not mean available everywhere
A provider may operate internationally without accepting clients from every country. Eligibility can depend on your residence, nationality, tax status, sanctions rules, the provider’s regulated entity and the specific investment product.
Always confirm the legal entity that would serve you before opening or transferring an account.
What to compare
Eight questions matter more than the word “offshore”
01
Jurisdiction
Where is the account, policy or platform legally based?
02
Access
Can residents of your country actually use it?
03
Asset ownership
Are investments held directly, through a broker, via a custodian or inside an insurance policy?
04
Currency
Which currencies can the account hold?
05
Investment access
What funds, ETFs, securities or portfolios can actually be used?
06
Protection
Which regulator, compensation regime or policyholder protection applies?
07
Portability
What happens if you change residence again?
08
Reporting
What statements, CRS/FATCA reporting and tax-support information are available?
Reporting can include statements and information exchanged under CRS, FATCA and other regimes. It does not mean the provider determines your tax liability. Offshore does not mean tax-free, secret, higher returns, lower risk or better protection.
Filter global providers
12 providers listed for comparison.
Region filters use the reviewed coverage. They do not confirm that a resident of a country in that region can open an account. Confirm eligibility with the provider.
Ardan International
International wealth platform
Adviser-led platform
Isle of Man wealth platform for internationally mobile clients, used through an adviser.
- Global reach
- Very high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- How you access it
- Adviser-led
- Public minimum
- The public platform profile states no minimum investment amount.
- Investment access
- Funds, equities, ETFs, bonds and structured notes
- Multi-currency
- Yes — multiple cash and portfolio currencies
- How assets are held
- Platform custody
- Portability
- Subject to the adviser and jurisdictional eligibility
- Regulatory / protection
- Isle of Man
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Strong
- Africa
- Strong
This is adviser-led. This page does not open an account. Confirm the countries currently served and the adviser requirement.
Friends Provident International
International life wrapper
Insurance-based investment structure
International life and investment provider for expatriates and affluent local nationals in selected markets. It does not sell directly to customers.
- Global reach
- High
- Primary jurisdiction
- Depends on the market
- How you access it
- Financial adviser
- Public minimum
- Product dependent.
- Investment access
- Fund-centre and investment-linked products
- Multi-currency
- Product dependent
- How assets are held
- Policy structure
- Portability
- Supported markets only; products differ by market
- Regulatory / protection
- Depends on the market
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Selected markets
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Selected markets
- Africa
- Selected markets
Availability is market-specific. The reviewed material says Friends Provident International does not sell directly to customers and refers prospective clients to financial advisers.
Generali Luxembourg
Private insurance
Private insurance structure
Luxembourg private life insurance for wealth structuring, arranged through private banks, family offices and advisers.
- Global reach
- Medium-high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Luxembourg
- How you access it
- Private bank, family office or adviser
- Public minimum
- An example in the reviewed material is a Luxembourg product minimum of EUR 250,000. It depends on the market and the product.
- Investment access
- Unit-linked, dedicated internal and specialised insurance funds
- Multi-currency
- Policy dependent
- How assets are held
- Luxembourg insurance wrapper
- Portability
- Supported European cross-border markets
- Regulatory / protection
- Luxembourg
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Limited
- Asia
- Limited
- Americas
- Limited
- Africa
- Limited
This is a European higher-net-worth proposition. Country-specific tax and legal questions stay with the client and their advisers.
Hansard International
International life wrapper
Insurance-based investment structure
Isle of Man life-assurance wrapper, distributed through independent financial advisers and financial institutions.
- Global reach
- Very high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- How you access it
- Independent financial adviser or financial institution
- Public minimum
- Product specific.
- Investment access
- Unit-linked life wrappers
- Multi-currency
- Product dependent
- How assets are held
- Life-assurance contract
- Portability
- Subject to market and adviser rules
- Regulatory / protection
- Isle of Man
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Strong
- Africa
- Strong
Confirm whether the product is open to new business. Distribution is through independent financial advisers and financial institutions.
Interactive Brokers
Global investment platform
Direct investment account
Global brokerage platform. The affiliate that holds the account depends on residence and regulation.
- Global reach
- Very high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Relevant IBKR affiliate, based on residence
- How you access it
- Direct, with adviser and institutional routes also described
- Public minimum
- A retail minimum is generally described as low or none. It depends on the product and the entity.
- Investment access
- Global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, funds and FX
- Multi-currency
- Yes — extensive
- How assets are held
- Brokerage custody
- Portability
- High, though the entity and products can change after a move
- Regulatory / protection
- Relevant IBKR affiliate, based on residence
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Strong
- Africa
- Selected markets
Account portability is not universal. Sanctions and high-risk exclusions apply, and entity rules vary by residence.
Investors Trust
International insurance plan
Insurance-based investment structure
International insurance and investment-plan provider, distributed through financial advisers and introducers.
- Global reach
- Very high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Depends on the product and the client’s market
- How you access it
- Financial adviser or introducer
- Public minimum
- Varies by product.
- Investment access
- Open-architecture and unit-linked plans
- Multi-currency
- Yes on selected products
- How assets are held
- Segregated insurance plan
- Portability
- Subject to market and entity rules
- Regulatory / protection
- Depends on the product and the client’s market
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Selected markets
- Middle East
- Selected markets
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Strong
- Africa
- Selected markets
More than one jurisdiction and product family is involved. Structured-note and principal-protection products should be kept separate from a mainstream investment account.
Octium Group
Private insurance
Private insurance structure
Private insurance and wealth structuring for higher-net-worth clients, focused on Europe and the EEA.
- Global reach
- High
- Primary jurisdiction
- Ireland — Octium Life DAC, with related distribution entities
- How you access it
- Private bank, asset manager, family office or adviser
- Public minimum
- Higher-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth. A specific public minimum was not stated in the reviewed material.
- Investment access
- Unit-linked private insurance
- Multi-currency
- Policy dependent
- How assets are held
- Insurance wrapper with external partners
- Portability
- Supported European cross-border markets
- Regulatory / protection
- Ireland — Octium Life DAC, with related distribution entities
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Limited
- Asia
- Limited
- Americas
- Limited
- Africa
- Limited
The proposition is focused on Europe and the EEA. It is not presented here as available in every country.
RL360
International investment bond
Insurance-based investment structure
Isle of Man life and investment provider. Policies and bonds are distributed through financial advisers and brokers.
- Global reach
- Very high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- How you access it
- Adviser or broker
- Public minimum
- Varies by product.
- Investment access
- Open-architecture funds and portfolio bonds
- Multi-currency
- Yes, product dependent
- How assets are held
- Insurance policy or bond
- Portability
- Subject to the product and residence rules
- Regulatory / protection
- Isle of Man
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Strong
- Africa
- Strong
Confirm which products are open to new business in the relevant market. Older product pages can remain public.
Saxo
Global investment platform
Direct investment account
Multi-asset investment platform and bank. The Saxo entity depends on the client’s country of residence.
- Global reach
- Very high
- Primary jurisdiction
- Relevant Saxo entity, based on residence
- How you access it
- Direct, with introducing-broker relationships also described
- Public minimum
- Varies by country and account tier.
- Investment access
- Stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, options, futures and FX
- Multi-currency
- Yes
- How assets are held
- Integrated bank and broker custody
- Portability
- Serviced-country list and entity rules apply
- Regulatory / protection
- Relevant Saxo entity, based on residence
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Selected markets
- Africa
- Limited
Different Saxo entities and products apply by residence. Leveraged and CFD products are a separate proposition from a mainstream investment account.
Swissquote
Global investment platform
Direct investment account
Online bank and investment platform. The entity depends on residence and the service chosen.
- Global reach
- High
- Primary jurisdiction
- Relevant Swissquote entity, based on residence and service
- How you access it
- Direct
- Public minimum
- Varies by product and entity.
- Investment access
- Broad global-market investing and trading
- Multi-currency
- Yes
- How assets are held
- Bank and broker custody
- Portability
- Subject to entity and country rules
- Regulatory / protection
- Relevant Swissquote entity, based on residence and service
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Selected markets
- Asia
- Selected markets
- Americas
- Selected markets
- Africa
- Limited
The entity depends on residence and the service. Some pages focus on FX and CFDs, which are separate from a mainstream investment account.
Utmost International
International investment bond
Insurance-based investment structure
International wealth and investment-bond provider. The entity and the product both need to be confirmed.
- Global reach
- High
- Primary jurisdiction
- Entity and product dependent
- How you access it
- Financial intermediary or adviser
- Public minimum
- Varies by product.
- Investment access
- Portfolio bonds, adviser appointments and discretionary fund management
- Multi-currency
- Product dependent
- How assets are held
- Insurance bond
- Portability
- Product- and entity-specific
- Regulatory / protection
- Entity and product dependent
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Strong
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Selected markets
- Africa
- Selected markets
Confirm the current product, the entity and the target market. Older products can differ from current offerings.
Zurich International Life
International life wrapper
Insurance-based investment structure
International life and investment provider, with the Isle of Man company and local branches described.
- Global reach
- High
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man, with local branches described
- How you access it
- Adviser-assisted or intermediary-led, depending on the market
- Public minimum
- An example in the reviewed material is the UAE Wealth Accumulation Plan from USD 30,000. Other products vary.
- Investment access
- Investment-linked assurance and global funds
- Multi-currency
- Product and market dependent
- How assets are held
- Investment-linked policy
- Portability
- Market availability varies
- Regulatory / protection
- Isle of Man, with local branches described
How assets are held describes the legal structure. It does not, by itself, indicate the level of protection. A move can change tax treatment, investment access and whether an adviser can continue.
Global coverage
Coverage in the reviewed material. It is not confirmation that residents of that region can open an account.
- Europe
- Selected markets
- Middle East
- Strong
- Asia
- Strong
- Americas
- Limited
- Africa
- Limited
Use current regional products. The reviewed material notes that some legacy Hong Kong investment-linked assurance products are closed to new business.
These providers solve different problems
Global broker
Direct access to global investments through a brokerage account. The legal entity still depends on residence.
International platform
Administration, custody and multi-currency investment access, often arranged with an adviser.
International investment bond
Investments held through an insurance-policy or bond wrapper.
Private insurance
Wealth structuring for internationally mobile higher-net-worth clients, usually through a professional intermediary.
These structures should not be compared solely on fees, because the legal and tax treatment can be fundamentally different.
Compare offshore investment structures
Compare the access model, where the structure sits, and how assets are held. Open a profile for regions, currencies and portability.
| Provider | Type | Access | Jurisdiction | Structure | Portability | Minimum | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International wealth platform | Adviser required | Isle of Man | Platform custody | Subject to the adviser and | The public platform profile | View |
| International life wrapper | Adviser required | Depends on the market | Policy structure | Supported markets only | Product dependent. | View |
| Private insurance | Professional intermediary | Luxembourg | Luxembourg insurance wrapper | Supported European cross-border markets | An example in the reviewed | View |
| International life wrapper | Adviser required | Isle of Man | Life-assurance contract | Subject to market and adviser rules | Product specific. | View |
| Global investment platform | Direct | Relevant IBKR affiliate | Brokerage custody | High | A retail minimum is generally | View |
| International insurance plan | Adviser required | Depends on the product and the client’s market | Segregated insurance plan | Subject to market and entity rules | Varies by product. | View |
| Private insurance | Professional intermediary | Ireland — Octium Life DAC | Insurance wrapper with external partners | Supported European cross-border markets | Higher-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth | View |
| International investment bond | Adviser required | Isle of Man | Insurance policy or bond | Subject to the product and residence rules | Varies by product. | View |
| Global investment platform | Direct | Relevant Saxo entity, based on residence | Integrated bank and broker custody | Serviced-country list and entity rules apply | Varies by country and account tier | View |
| Global investment platform | Direct | Relevant Swissquote entity | Bank and broker custody | Subject to entity and country rules | Varies by product and entity. | View |
| International investment bond | Adviser required | Entity and product dependent | Insurance bond | Product- and entity-specific | Varies by product. | View |
| International life wrapper | Varies by product | Isle of Man | Investment-linked policy | Market availability varies | An example in the reviewed | View |
| Provider | Type | Access | Jurisdiction | Structure | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International wealth platform | Adviser required | Isle of Man | Platform custody | View |
| International life wrapper | Adviser required | Depends on the market | Policy structure | View |
| Private insurance | Professional intermediary | Luxembourg | Luxembourg insurance wrapper | View |
| International life wrapper | Adviser required | Isle of Man | Life-assurance contract | View |
| Global investment platform | Direct | Relevant IBKR affiliate | Brokerage custody | View |
| International insurance plan | Adviser required | Depends on the product and the client’s market | Segregated insurance plan | View |
| Private insurance | Professional intermediary | Ireland — Octium Life DAC | Insurance wrapper with external partners | View |
| International investment bond | Adviser required | Isle of Man | Insurance policy or bond | View |
| Global investment platform | Direct | Relevant Saxo entity, based on residence | Integrated bank and broker custody | View |
| Global investment platform | Direct | Relevant Swissquote entity | Bank and broker custody | View |
| International investment bond | Adviser required | Entity and product dependent | Insurance bond | View |
| International life wrapper | Varies by product | Isle of Man | Investment-linked policy | View |
Ardan International
International wealth platform
- Access model
- Adviser required
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- Asset-holding structure
- Platform custody
- Portability
- Subject to the adviser and
- Public minimum
- The public platform profile
Friends Provident International
International life wrapper
- Access model
- Adviser required
- Primary jurisdiction
- Depends on the market
- Asset-holding structure
- Policy structure
- Portability
- Supported markets only
- Public minimum
- Product dependent.
Generali Luxembourg
Private insurance
- Access model
- Professional intermediary
- Primary jurisdiction
- Luxembourg
- Asset-holding structure
- Luxembourg insurance wrapper
- Portability
- Supported European cross-border markets
- Public minimum
- An example in the reviewed
Hansard International
International life wrapper
- Access model
- Adviser required
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- Asset-holding structure
- Life-assurance contract
- Portability
- Subject to market and adviser rules
- Public minimum
- Product specific.
Interactive Brokers
Global investment platform
- Access model
- Direct
- Primary jurisdiction
- Relevant IBKR affiliate
- Asset-holding structure
- Brokerage custody
- Portability
- High
- Public minimum
- A retail minimum is generally
Investors Trust
International insurance plan
- Access model
- Adviser required
- Primary jurisdiction
- Depends on the product and the client’s market
- Asset-holding structure
- Segregated insurance plan
- Portability
- Subject to market and entity rules
- Public minimum
- Varies by product.
Octium Group
Private insurance
- Access model
- Professional intermediary
- Primary jurisdiction
- Ireland — Octium Life DAC
- Asset-holding structure
- Insurance wrapper with external partners
- Portability
- Supported European cross-border markets
- Public minimum
- Higher-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth
RL360
International investment bond
- Access model
- Adviser required
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- Asset-holding structure
- Insurance policy or bond
- Portability
- Subject to the product and residence rules
- Public minimum
- Varies by product.
Saxo
Global investment platform
- Access model
- Direct
- Primary jurisdiction
- Relevant Saxo entity, based on residence
- Asset-holding structure
- Integrated bank and broker custody
- Portability
- Serviced-country list and entity rules apply
- Public minimum
- Varies by country and account tier
Swissquote
Global investment platform
- Access model
- Direct
- Primary jurisdiction
- Relevant Swissquote entity
- Asset-holding structure
- Bank and broker custody
- Portability
- Subject to entity and country rules
- Public minimum
- Varies by product and entity.
Utmost International
International investment bond
- Access model
- Adviser required
- Primary jurisdiction
- Entity and product dependent
- Asset-holding structure
- Insurance bond
- Portability
- Product- and entity-specific
- Public minimum
- Varies by product.
Zurich International Life
International life wrapper
- Access model
- Varies by product
- Primary jurisdiction
- Isle of Man
- Asset-holding structure
- Investment-linked policy
- Portability
- Market availability varies
- Public minimum
- An example in the reviewed
Related
WiT Access provides general information and comparison resources. Offshore investing does not automatically provide a tax advantage. Tax treatment, regulation, investor protection and eligibility depend on the investor, the product and the jurisdictions involved. Nothing on this page constitutes investment, financial, tax or legal advice.
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WiT Access provides general information and comparison resources. Nothing on this page constitutes financial, investment, tax, legal or estate-planning advice. Offshore account availability, reporting, tax treatment, investor protections and regulatory requirements vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.