New Year, New Horizons: The 2026 Expat Briefing

5 Jan

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Happy New Year!

If the last few years were about "navigating uncertainty," 2026 is shaping up to be the year of renewed opportunity.

We’ve helped thousands of expatriates navigate a choppy post-Covid world over the last few years but with global inflation stabilising and interest rates forecast to trend down, the outlook for international lifestyles is brighter than it has been in some time.

Whether you are looking to secure your foothold in Europe, expand into the Middle East, or explore the East, here are 5 positive trends to look out for this year:

1. Europe: The "Nomad" Visa Grows Roots

For years, digital nomad visas were seen as temporary "band-aids." In 2026, we are seeing a shift toward stability. Countries like Spain and Portugal are not just offering visas but clarifying the path to longer-term residency.

With the "Beckham Law" (Spain) and similar regimes still offering attractive tax caps for new residents, Southern Europe remains a top choice for protecting wealth while enjoying the lifestyle.

2. Middle East: The "Golden" Era of Stability

The region is moving fast to retain talent. The UAE’s Golden Visa has matured into a reliable self-sponsorship route, offering genuine independence from employers. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is aggressively courting business leaders with its Regional HQ program (offering a potential 30-year tax holiday for qualifying entities). If you are an entrepreneur, the incentives to look East of the Suez Canal have never been stronger.

3. Asia: New Lifestyle Gateways

While Singapore and Hong Kong remain the financial heavyweights, Japan has emerged as the breakout lifestyle destination for 2026. Its new digital nomad visa is attracting remote workers who want high-tech infrastructure with rich culture. If you’ve felt priced out of Europe, Asia’s renewed growth and opening borders offer a compelling alternative this year.

4. The "Softer" Economic Landing

The consensus for 2026 is one of "sturdy growth." Central banks (from the Fed to the ECB) are expected to continue cutting rates, which is great news for expats holding international mortgages or looking to leverage assets. It’s a good year to review your borrowing costs and investment portfolio.

5. The Immediate Hurdle: Jan 31st (UK Tax)

Before we get too carried away with global strategy, we have one final piece of admin to clear. The UK Self-Assessment deadline is January 31st.

Ensuring this is filed on time is the best way to start 2026 with a clean slate and avoid any automatic penalties.

—> Learn more about our tax return service

With interest rates shifting and visa options expanding in the Middle East and Asia, your "best" location for tax and lifestyle might have changed since we last spoke.

Would you like to book a "2026 Strategy Check-in" to review your tax, residency or business setup and ensure you are capturing these new opportunities?

—> Book a free online review

Best regards,

Sam @ ProACT