Tax Law · European Union
Get Your Expat Tax Right From Day One
Living abroad changes your tax position in both countries — the one you left and the one you now call home — and the rules rarely explain themselves. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who specialises in expatriate tax, so you know what to file where and avoid surprises when you file, leave or return.
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Who this is for
Moving abroad changes your obligations in the country you left and the one you joined
Expat tax covers the position of people living and working outside their home country. Whether you have moved for a new job, are working remotely for a foreign employer, retired abroad, or are studying overseas, your move can trigger obligations in two countries at once: the one you left may still expect filings or withholdings, while the one you joined will have its own rules on residence, income and assets. The same person can be a tax resident in one country while still owning property or receiving a pension in another, and each treats those facts differently. An expat tax lawyer clarifies where you are resident, what you must declare in each country, and how to keep the two positions consistent — so your life abroad is not complicated by tax you did not see coming.
Why expat tax catches people out
Your tax life does not stop at the border.
It splits in two.
Both countries may still expect something from you, and neither will necessarily tell you what.
Uncertainty about where you are resident
Whether you are still a tax resident of your home country, or now one of your new country, changes everything you owe — and the rules for deciding it differ from place to place, leaving many expats genuinely unsure where they stand.
Filings still due in your home country
Pensions, rental property or investments left behind can keep filing obligations alive in the country you departed, years after you moved. Forgetting them can produce penalties you only discover much later.
New rules you never anticipated
Your new country may tax worldwide income, require declarations of foreign assets, or apply wealth or exit taxes you had no reason to expect — rules that are easy to miss until a demand arrives.
What you get
A lawyer who understands expat life
We match you with lawyers who specialise in the tax position of people living outside their home country.
Residence status settled
Your lawyer determines where you are actually tax resident under each country’s rules, so you know which country taxes what and can plan around it rather than guessing.
Both countries handled together
Home-country filings for pensions, property or investments are coordinated with your new-country obligations, so nothing is filed twice, missed, or contradicted between the two.
Relocation and exit planning
If you are about to move — or return home — your lawyer advises on the timing and structure so the move does not create an avoidable tax event or a forgotten liability.
Foreign assets and accounts declared
Bank accounts, property and investments held across borders are reported correctly in each country that requires it, removing the risk of penalties for undisclosed assets.
Coverage
Expat tax lawyers across Europe
Expat tax depends on the specific pair of countries involved — where you came from and where you now live — so the right lawyer is one who knows your host country’s rules. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Expat tax — common questions
Am I still a tax resident of my home country after moving abroad?
Not necessarily. Tax residence is decided by factors such as days spent in a country, your home, family and economic ties, and each country applies its own test. You may remain resident at home, become resident abroad, or in rare cases be treated as resident in both — a lawyer can determine your actual position.
Do I still have to file taxes in my home country after leaving?
Possibly. If you retain a pension, rental property, investments or other income there, your home country may still require filings and may tax that income, even if you no longer live there. Exiting the system cleanly often requires formal steps, not just a change of address.
What is a tax exit or departure tax?
Some countries impose a tax when a resident leaves, often on unrealised gains in shares or business interests, as if they had been sold on departure. It is not universal, and the rules vary widely, but it is a genuine risk in several European countries that a lawyer can help you anticipate and plan for.
Do I have to declare my foreign bank accounts in my new country?
In many countries, yes. Several European jurisdictions require residents to declare foreign accounts and assets, sometimes merely for information and sometimes because they are taxable, and the penalties for failing to do so can be significant. A lawyer will tell you what must be declared where.
How does my pension get taxed as an expat?
Pension taxation depends on the type of pension, your residence and any treaty between the countries involved. Some pensions are taxed only in the source country, others in the residence country, and getting it wrong can mean overpaying. A lawyer can confirm the correct treatment for your specific pension.
Should I sort my expat tax before or after I move?
Ideally before. Timing your move, understanding residence rules and structuring assets in advance can prevent avoidable exit taxes, missed filings and double taxation. That said, it is never too late — a lawyer can correct and regularise your position after the fact as well.
Free case review
Live abroad without a tax problem waiting for you
Tell us where you live and where you came from, and we’ll connect you with an expat tax lawyer who handles cases like yours every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.