Retirement

QROPS List – March 1, 2019

The latest HM Revenue & Customs data for expats with QROPS offshore pensions.

Find out What is QROPS

HMRC QROPS List – By country

Financial centreNo of QROPS
Australia833
Austria5
Barbados1
Belgium1
Bulgaria3
Denmark2
EU Institution1
Finland1
Germany9
Gibraltar31
Guernsey62
Hong Kong4
India11
Ireland65
Isle of Man352
Jersey50
Kenya2
Latvia3
Liechtenstein2
Luxembourg2
Malta38
Mauritius2
Netherlands35
New Zealand30
Norway1
Sweden1
Switzerland1
USA2
Total:1550

Data Source: HMRC

HMRC QROPS List – Changes

QROPS pensions added, amended or removed from the list since February 15, 2019.

QROPSCountryAddedAmended Removed
     
C & L Monteith Superannuation FundAustraliax  
David Julian Superannuation FundAustraliax  
E & M Jones Superannuation FundAustraliax  
Harrison Superannuation FundAustraliax  
Stringer2 Super FundAustraliax  
Voyce Superannuation FundAustraliax  
Chatwin Family SIPPIsle of Manx  
GAC Personal Pension SchemeIsle of Manx  
Centaurus Lite Retirement Benefit SchemeMaltax  
     
Totals: 900

Data source: HMRC

The first table shows the net number of schemes for each financial jurisdiction, accounting for new listings and removals since the publication of the last list.

The second table details the changes.

What is the QROPS List?

The HMRC list tells overseas pension providers and retirement savers transferring funds from a UK pension to a QROPS or between offshore pension providers which schemes qualify for QROPS status.

QROPS providers certify their schemes meet UK offshore pension and tax rules to go on the list, but HMRC warns this does not mean any are approved or certain to be QROPS. Retirement savers should check this before transferring any money.

The next HM Revenue and Customs QROPS List is scheduled for March 15, 2019.

QROPS overseas transfer charge

The overseas transfer charge is calculated as 25% of the transfer value of a fund into a QROPS or between QROPS.

For expats living inside the European Economic Area (EEA), countries offering QROPS that are not subject to the overseas transfer charge are:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Ireland
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Sweden

QROPS countries outside the EEA

Countries outside the EEA are subject to the transfer charge if an expat does not live in the same country as the pension is administered – these are:

  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • Guernsey
  • Hong Kong (China)
  • India
  • Isle of Man
  • Jersey
  • Kenya
  • Mauritius
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • USA

Other exceptions to the transfer charge may apply if the overseas scheme is run by an employer or multinational non-government organisation, such as the EU QROPS.

A five-year residence rule may also apply.

Click here for official guidance on the overseas transfer charge

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