Cross Border Wealth Advisors
Financial Planning Expert for American Expats
Portfolio management, tax preparation, and financial planning - coordinated across two tax systems by a Certified Financial Planner® and IRS Enrolled Agent.
Living between two systems shouldn't mean losing control of your money.
US expats face a financial landscape that most advisors aren't equipped to handle - two tax systems, cross-border reporting, and investment restrictions that demand specialist knowledge.
Working with a Cross-Border CFP® and IRS Enrolled Agent adds up.
Coordinated investment & tax planning
One team, one strategy — investments and taxes decided together, not in silos.
Strategies to reduce taxes over time
Treaty-aware planning that considers both IRS and Spanish tax systems over decades, not just this year.
Better decision-making
Clarity across retirement, income, and investment choices so you act with confidence.
Fewer surprises at tax time
Proactive preparation means no April scrambles and no unexpected bills from either country.
A practice built around a specific kind of client.
- Americans currently living in Spain
- Individuals planning to move to Spain
- Dual residents navigating taxes in both countries
- Retirees managing IRAs & brokerage accounts from Spain
- Professionals with U.S. investments living abroad
Cross-border experts make the difference.
An independent fiduciary team - legally bound to act in your interest alone, with the specialist knowledge most advisors simply don't have.
Good financial advice can meaningfully increase investment returns compared to going it alone. We combine behavioral coaching with deep cross-border market knowledge - coordinated, not siloed.
Our multilingual team holds a special partnership with Charles Schwab and operates as a fee-only fiduciary - no commissions, no conflicts.
Taxes & wealth management, for Americans in Spain.
Navigating the Financial Landscape As An Expat
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Read moreExpanding Your Investment Strategy as a Retiree in Europe
You have decided to move to Europe and begin a life anew. It is something that you’ve been thinking of…
Read moreDouble Taxation: Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and Foreign Tax Credit Simplified
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Read moreWhat Americans in Spain ask us most.
Straight answers to the questions we hear every week - from tax obligations to Medicare, investment accounts to fiduciary fees.
What does "fee-only fiduciary" mean — and why does it matter?
Fee-only means we are paid exclusively by our clients — no commissions, no referral fees, no product kickbacks. When we recommend an investment or insurance product, it is because it suits you, not because we earn from it.
Fiduciary means we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times — not just recommend "suitable" products. Combined, fee-only + fiduciary is the highest standard of client protection available in financial advice. Victor Gersten holds the CFP® designation and is an IRS Enrolled Agent, both of which carry fiduciary and ethical obligations.
What is the difference between the FEIE and the Foreign Tax Credit?
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets qualifying expats exclude up to $126,500 (2024) of foreign-earned income from US taxation entirely. It applies only to earned income — wages, self-employment — not passive income like dividends or IRA distributions.
The Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) reduces your US tax bill dollar-for-dollar by the income taxes you've already paid to Spain. Unlike the FEIE, it can apply to passive income and is often more beneficial for retirees or those with investment income. You cannot claim both on the same income — choosing between them requires careful analysis of your specific situation.
Should I keep my Medicare coverage when I move to Spain?
It depends on whether you plan to return to the US. Part A is generally premium-free and worth keeping — cancelling it requires repaying benefits to Social Security. Part B costs approximately $175/month in 2025 and provides virtually no benefit while living abroad.
If you are permanently relocating, cancelling Part B and replacing it with Spanish private health insurance (often cheaper and comparable in quality) can make financial sense. However, if you return to the US later, you face a 10% annual late-enrollment penalty for every 12-month period you went without Part B. This is a decision that warrants professional advice before acting.
Can I keep my US brokerage and retirement accounts when living in Spain?
Yes, but with important caveats. Some US brokerages will close accounts once they learn you are a non-US resident — it is important to work with expat-friendly custodians such as Fidelity or TD Ameritrade before you move. IRAs and 401(k)s are generally fine to keep, though distributions will have US and potentially Spanish tax implications.
You must also report foreign accounts to the US government (FBAR/FinCEN 114 if balances exceed $10,000, and FATCA Form 8938 if above certain thresholds). Failure to file these reports carries severe penalties — even if no tax is owed.
Does the US have a tax treaty with Spain, and what does it cover?
Yes. The US–Spain Tax Treaty (1990, with protocols) and a separate Totalization Agreement on Social Security both exist to prevent double-taxation. The income tax treaty designates which country has primary taxing rights over different categories of income — pensions, dividends, royalties, capital gains — so the same dollar is not taxed in full by both countries.
The Totalization Agreement prevents self-employed Americans and those working for US employers in Spain from paying into both Social Security systems simultaneously. Navigating these treaties correctly — especially for retirees drawing Social Security and investment income — is one of the most valuable things a cross-border advisor does.