The IBSA Podcasts

Dubai keeps showing up on relocation shortlists, but the real story is more complicated than “move there and pay no tax.” We sit down with Jimmy Sexton of the Esquire Group in Dubai to unpack why entrepreneurs, investors, and globally mobile families are choosing the UAE, and what you need to understand before you follow the trend. For Americans especially, we talk candidly about citizenship-based...

The fastest way to get UK tax wrong is to assume one simple rule controls everything. We sit down with Dmitry Zapol to break down what “UK tax residence” really means in practice, from the 183-day threshold to the quieter danger zone where you spend fewer days but keep enough UK ties to stay within the statutory residence test. We also flag the timing issue that catches people off guard: the UK ta...

A lot of people talk about “moving for tax reasons,” but the real question is: which rules will still work after the headlines change? Roy Saunders, Founder and Chairman of the IBSA Club, sits down with Jose Aguilar Shea, a Spanish tax lawyer at Squire Patton Boggs in Madrid, to unpack what personal migration to Spain and Portugal actually looks like right now for professionals, entrepreneurs, and...

Malta keeps showing up on shortlists for relocation, retirement, and international business, but the real question is whether the tax outcome matches the plan you have in your head. We sit down with Geraldine Schembri of EMCS in Malta to unpack how Malta tax residency actually works, why “183 days” is only one doorway, and how ordinary residence can depend on intention, facts, and connecting ties...

Switzerland gets called “high tax” so often that people stop questioning it, and that’s where expensive mistakes begin. We sit down with Geneva-based Swiss tax lawyer Ali Kanani to map the real landscape: 26 cantons, municipal differences, and a system where your address can change your outcome as much as your income. We break down the ordinary Swiss taxation of income and net wealth, including ho...

Everyone talks about “the Italy flat tax,” but that headline hides the real story: Italy has built several distinct tax regimes for people relocating, and the best choice depends on who you are and how you earn. We sit down with Italian tax lawyer Matteo Rapinesi of Orisea to map the landscape in plain terms, so you can stop guessing and start planning your move with facts. We dig into the new res...

Cyprus has become a magnet for people who want a clean break from high-tax complexity without giving up access to Europe, but the real story is more nuanced than a single “low tax” headline. We sit down with Theodora Alexandrou of Elias Neocleous Co. in Limassol to explain how Cyprus tax planning actually works when you zoom in on the rules that matter: immigration permission, tax residency tests,...

A great incentive plan is not about “perks” it's about making sure the people building the company feel the upside at the right time, with tax outcomes that do not backfire. We end our Growth of a Business series by diving into management incentives for a scaling business, starting with the hardest practical question: when should you put incentives in place if your share value is rising fast...

A funding plan can look perfect on paper and still fail in the real world because the “where” is inseparable from the “how.” We sit down with Bern Gilbey and Sam Meiklejohn, Partners at Gateley, to unpack the decisions founders wrestle with when they need serious capital: stay UK-based and build toward AIM, chase a NASDAQ listing for higher valuations, or design a path that gets the best of both....

R&D tax credits can be a lifeline for early-stage companies and a useful tool for large ones too, but the rules have become increasingly complex, especially when you can’t substantiate what you did. We sit down with Paddy Hobbs of S&W to unpack how the UK R&D tax credit landscape has rightfully evolved from a “how much can I claim” mindset into a compliance-first world where documentat...

A startup can do everything right and still lose the business if it mishandles intellectual property. We sit down with Catherine Jewell and John Hull from specialist IP law firm Beck Greener to talk through what an IPO-ready IP strategy actually looks like when budgets are tight, timelines are real, and the market is global. We start with the core question founders and investors both care about: w...

India isn’t being pitched as a “future opportunity” anymore. It’s operating like a market that is already here, already scaling, and actively removing friction for serious foreign investors. We sit down with Bhupender Singh, Managing Partner at Artham Law Chambers, to unpack what’s changing on the ground and why UK and EU companies are paying closer attention, especially as India moves toward dedi...

What happens when a globe-spanning family fortune meets the realities of modern tax, law, and succession planning? In this episode, an international panel of experts unpacks a compelling case study centred on a fictional entrepreneurial patriarch facing the ultimate question: how to pass on a complex mix of business interests, property, and personal wealth to the next generation — smoothly, fairly...

Curious about how Dubai could be the perfect escape from the UK’s new tax changes? Tune in to our latest IBSA podcast episode as Roy Saunders sits down with tax expert Jimmy Sexton from Esquire Group in Dubai. Discover why Dubai is a haven for the wealthy with no personal income tax, low or no corporate income tax, and easy pathways to residency through employment or investment. Jimmy shares his p...

Could Malta be the effective tax haven UK wealthy individuals may choose to emigrate to? Join us as we unravel the intricacies of establishing tax residency in this Mediterranean gem with the expertise of Geraldine Schembri and David Borg. You'll discover how Malta's flexible requirements, which prioritize intention and personal ties over the number of physical days spent in the country,...

What if relocating to Cyprus could offer you a more favourable tax regime than your current country? Learn the ins and outs of Cyprus' unique tax benefits in our latest episode featuring Alexis Christodoulou, a South African lawyer specialising in Cypriot and international tax law at Elias Neocleous & Co. We dive into the evolving political landscape in the UK and its potential tax implic...

Considering the tax benefits as a new immigrant to Israel with insights from international tax lawyer George Rosenberg and his senior associate, Maya Saphier. Learn how Israel's generous 10-year exemption on foreign income and capital gains can allow you to own foreign companies without triggering standard Israeli tax liabilities, as long as the control of these companies remains outside Isra...

Learn about the benefits of Italy’s attractive tax regime for high-net-worth individuals with our guest, Walter Andreoni, an International Tax Lawyer from Mercanti e Associati in Milan. Discover how Italy’s flat tax of €100,000 on foreign source income and a 15-year duration, aims to entice wealthy individuals to move long-term to this beautiful country. Walter expertly navigates through the intri...

One of the original beneficial tax regimes in Europe was created out of the desire to have David Beckham sign for Real Madrid, an opportunity that relied on Spain ‘bending’ the tax rules much like David was able to bend his free kicks.  Together with Roy Saunders, José Aguilar, an International Tax Lawyer from Squire Patton Boggs in Madrid, explores how the so-called Beckham rule has changed over...

Discover the mysteries of Switzerland's appeal that go beyond its renowned chocolates, breathtaking mountains, and picturesque lakes! Together with Roy Saunders, Aliasghar Kanani, an expert Swiss Tax Lawyer,  discusses the evolving landscape of international tax regimes.  They explore the real story behind Switzerland’s tax benefits and why it's more than just a so-called tax haven for t...

What happens when a tax regime designed for attracting top talent instead becomes a haven for retirees with foreign pensions? Together with Roy Saunders, Ana Castro Gonçalves, an International Tax Lawyer from Caiado Guerreiro in Lisbon, unravels the reasons why Portugal has abolished its non-habitual residence regime and explains how this initiative, which offered significant tax breaks, evolved a...

Ever wondered why Singapore is a magnet for high-net-worth individuals? Discover the secrets behind the city-state's allure as we sit down with Derren Joseph from Moores Roland Asia Pacific, in a riveting conversation hosted by Roy Saunders, Founder and Chairman of the International Business Structuring Association (IBSA). Derren, a seasoned international tax advisor, sheds light on the compe...

What if the UK’s evolving tax landscape could encourage wealthy individuals to emigrate from the UK to warmer countries (from climates to taxation)?  Together with Roy Saunders, Dmitry Zapol of IFS Consultants unpacks potential UK tax changes for both domiciled and non-domiciled UK residents and navigate through the Conservative party’s proposed tax reforms and the Labour government’s planned adju...

Unlock the secrets of navigating UK inheritance tax laws with our illuminating chat featuring international tax advisor Dmitry Zapol. If the mere thought of estate planning sends shivers down your spine, fear not—we’ve got you covered. Together, we dissect the taxing details of owning UK assets and the tax repercussions for those considering making Britain their home. Dmitry's expertise shine...

Embark on a journey through the labyrinth of international taxation with Roy Saunders and Derren Joseph. In our latest conversation, we tackle the weighty topic of US taxation for citizens and green card holders abroad. You'll discover why clinging to an American passport isn't just about patriotism, but can also be a strategic choice for flexibility and access to the US—even as the shad...