Living abroad: Rémy Mabillon unpicks the wealth management challenges of expatriation

Moving to Mauritius often means a fresh start: an idyllic lifestyle, attractive tax arrangements, new opportunities… But it also brings a new wealth management landscape that's more complex than it first appears. Between income from different countries, assets spread across multiple jurisdictions, and children living abroad, expatriation raises plenty of questions. How do you rethink your wealth strategy? What risks should you prepare for?

Rémy Mabillon, founder of Necker Finance and a Mauritius expat since 2014, shares his insights on the wealth management best practices to adopt when you make the island your home.

You advise numerous expatriates based in Mauritius. Why is relocating abroad such a strategic moment to rethink wealth management?

"Expatriation usually triggers a change in tax residence, legal framework, and sometimes even matrimonial and inheritance regimes. It is a turning point in your life, perfect for taking stock completely, considering a new way to organise your assets, and ensuring your existing strategies still make sense. Some solutions become redundant when you move abroad whilst other opportunities open up."

What are the main wealth management challenges that expats face in Mauritius?

"The biggest challenge is scattered assets: property in one country, bank accounts in another, investments in a country where you are no longer resident… Managing these becomes complex when each jurisdiction operates under its own rules. In an international context, estate planning also becomes more technical if your heirs live in different countries."

When, in your view, does it make sense to engage a wealth manager?

"For expatriation, it is worth consulting an expert to optimise your tax position and secure your legal framework if your assets are split between several countries or you are changing tax residence. This becomes essential ahead of any major change, a succession, marriage, for example. More generally, our clients come to us when the issues become too technical and they want to define a bespoke investment strategy, access diversified asset classes, and benefit from independent, long-term support."

How does Necker Finance's experience and positioning enable you to address these particular requirements?

"With our presence in Geneva and Mauritius, plus our international partner network, we understand local realities whilst maintaining a global approach to investments and taxation. Our multidisciplinary team comes from private banking, asset management and financial engineering backgrounds. We work on an open architecture basis, meaning we freely choose the best products and partners for each client, allowing us to build bespoke strategies with complete independence."

What types of assets or solutions do you offer expats settled in Mauritius?

"Overall, we offer diversified portfolios incorporating listed investments (UCITS funds, direct equities, structured products…), unlisted assets (private debt, alternative funds, private equity…) and Luxembourg life assurance. We work with both discretionary and non-discretionary mandates. Our focus is on overall coherence, long-term relevance, and the ability to offer opportunities that are difficult to access directly."

What advice would you give to an expat coming to settle in Mauritius?

"Do not wait to ask the right questions. Take an overall view: what are your assets, your plans, your constraints? Then surround yourself with independent experts who can provide concrete solutions with an international perspective. It is not just about adapting to the legal framework – you need to invest intelligently to grow your wealth."

‍

Contact Necker Finance
Suite 201, Grand Baie Business Quarter, Chemin 20 Pieds, Grand Baie
www.necker-finance.com • +230 263 2394