Investment Planning for Expats
As an expat, investing in Czechia comes with specific considerations, currency exposure, tax implications across borders, and the question of what happens to your investments if you leave. We help you navigate all of this and build a portfolio that works for your situation.
Access to Global Markets
Through our partner asset managers, you have access to over 1,200 funds and ETFs worldwide. This includes index funds that track the S&P 500 (the 500 largest US companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Tesla), the MSCI World Index (covering developed markets globally), and even specialized funds like artificial intelligence and technology funds that invest in the companies shaping the future.
If you've heard of companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, or Nvidia, you can invest in funds that hold all of them. You don't need to pick individual stocks. We help you choose the right mix of funds based on your goals.
Risk Profiles
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all. During our consultation, we'll assess your comfort level and build a strategy that matches. Options range from conservative (capital preservation with steady returns) to balanced (mix of growth and stability) to dynamic (higher growth potential with more volatility).
Currency Diversification
As an expat, you likely earn in CZK but may want to invest in EUR, USD, or other currencies. We can structure your portfolio across multiple currencies to reduce exchange rate risk and align with where you plan to live long-term.
Important: Your investments are yours, even if you leave Czechia. You can continue to manage them remotely, and we'll help you understand any tax implications in your home country.
Regular vs. One-Time Investments
You can start with a one-time investment from just 10,000 CZK, or set up regular monthly contributions starting from 500 CZK. Regular investing (dollar-cost averaging) is particularly effective for long-term wealth building, as it smooths out market volatility over time. Many of our clients do both.
Portfolio Reviews
Already investing somewhere? We review portfolios on request. We look at your current holdings, check the fees you're paying, and flag spots where there might be better options. We're paid by partner institutions when a product is signed, so this review costs you nothing directly. No obligation.
Understanding Fees
Investment fees can quietly erode your returns over decades. The main fees to be aware of are the fund management fee (TER, Total Expense Ratio), typically 0.1%–1.5% per year depending on whether you choose passive index funds or actively managed funds. There's also the entry fee (if any) and the platform fee charged by the custodian holding your investments.
We typically recommend cost-efficient options that meet your goals. A 1% fee difference might sound small, but over 20 years on a 1,000,000 CZK portfolio, it can mean a difference of several hundred thousand CZK in your final balance. We show you the exact fee breakdown before you commit to anything.
Tax Considerations for Expats
Investment income in the Czech Republic is subject to a 15% capital gains tax. However, there's an important exemption: if you hold your investments for more than 3 years, capital gains up to 100,000 CZK per year are tax-free. For larger portfolios, profits from securities held over 3 years are exempt from tax entirely (with some conditions on the original acquisition value).
If you're investing through a DIP (long-term investment product), the tax rules are even more favorable, you get the annual deduction on contributions, and gains are taxed only on withdrawal. See our DIP vs DPS comparison for details on this framework. We help you structure your investments to minimize tax liability legally. Our complete tax deductions guide covers all available deductions for expats.
Important for US citizens: FATCA reporting requirements mean you need to be careful about which funds you invest in. Some non-US funds are classified as PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Companies) and carry punitive US tax treatment. We can guide you to funds that are compliant with US tax obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of our work is educational. We help you understand your options so you feel comfortable making decisions when you're ready. No pressure to invest, just clear, honest guidance. For a step-by-step introduction, read our beginner's guide to investing as an expat.