AJ Bell Youinvest has stopped accepting new SIPP applications from non-UK tax residents, while AJ Bell Investcentre no longer allows new clients living in the EEA (European Economic Area).
If you live abroad or plan to retire overseas, these residency restrictions may prevent you from opening or consolidating your UK pensions with AJ Bell.
At Cameron James, we specialise in helping UK expatriates and internationally mobile professionals move to International SIPPs, FCA-regulated pension solutions that remain fully compliant regardless of where you live.
Key Developments: AJ Bell Tightens Non-UK Rules
| Platform | Key Restriction | Who Is Affected | Outcome |
| AJ Bell Youinvest SIPP | Only open to UK tax residents | Non-UK or emigrated clients | Cannot open new SIPP |
| AJ Bell Investcentre SIPP | No new EEA residents (plus other country blocks) | EEA-based clients and advisers | Adviser can’t onboard or service account |
| Existing AJ Bell members | May remain after moving abroad | UK emigrants | Ongoing service, but limited features and beneficiary restrictions |
| Alternative | International SIPP | EU/EEA, US, and global expats | Full servicing and multi-jurisdiction compliance |
Why This Matters for UK Pension Holders Abroad
AJ Bell Youinvest (Retail Platform)
AJ Bell’s current Terms and Conditions require all new applicants to be UK tax residents.
Even if you still have UK workplace pensions to consolidate, you cannot open a new Youinvest SIPP from abroad, including from EEA, US, or Commonwealth countries.
AJ Bell Investcentre (Adviser Platform)
Investcentre now blocks new EEA residents due to MiFID II and IDD cross-border restrictions. For clients living in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, or Cyprus, this means advisers cannot open or service new Investcentre accounts, and some beneficiary and death benefit options may be limited.
Trend Across the Market
AJ Bell’s policy shift mirrors similar moves by Fidelity, Hargreaves Lansdown, and Vanguard. UK platforms are increasingly avoiding non-UK residents to reduce regulatory exposure, leaving expats with few domestic options.
What Are Your Options Now?
| Scenario | AJ Bell Youinvest | AJ Bell Investcentre | Compliant Alternative | Considerations |
| UK-resident, staying in UK | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Allowed (via FCA adviser) | UK SIPP | Standard costs and servicing |
| Moving to the EEA | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed (EEA restriction) | International SIPP | Slightly higher admin fees; EU-regulated advice required |
| Already non-UK resident | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed (EEA) | International SIPP | Slightly higher admin fees; Locally regulated advice required |
| US-connected person | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Possibly (if not EEA) | SIPP + SEC Authorised Adviser | SEC-registered adviser with US-compliant portfolio |
Important: AJ Bell Investcentre only works with FCA Authorised Advisers. Whilst a SIPP might be a UK pension, advice on a SIPP is subject to local rules, so an FCA authorised adviser is unlikely to be able to give you compliant advice, except for a few narrow exemptions, so it is unlikely to be a client option for a non-UK resident.
How Cameron James Supports You (Step-by-Step)
1️⃣ Residency & Regulatory Mapping
We confirm your current and future residency and assess which trustees and platforms can legally accept you.
2️⃣ Platform & Trustee Selection
We shortlist FCA-regulated International SIPPs that accept your jurisdiction, balancing cost, accessibility, and reporting standards close to AJ Bell’s.
3️⃣ Investment Strategy
Our portfolios follow the Cameron James Investment Philosophy: globally diversified, low-cost ETFs and funds, built to match your risk tolerance and long-term objectives.
4️⃣ Transfer Management
We coordinate all paperwork, LOAs, discharge forms, and NT tax code applications (where appropriate), and keep provider communications off your plate.
5️⃣ Ongoing Advice & Oversight
We provide transparent, fee-based advice and continuous portfolio oversight, covering IHT planning, DTA Article 17 review, and currency risk management.This is what we call “full-fat” holistic financial planning: a comprehensive, end-to-end service that doesn’t just manage your investments, but also integrates your residency, tax, estate, and long-term retirement objectives into one coherent strategy.
Next Steps with Cameron James
✅ Free discovery call – confirm residency, tax status, and objectives
✅ Tailored recommendations – side-by-side cost and platform comparison
✅ End-to-end transfer support – full documentation, communication, and compliance
✅ Ongoing management – cash-flow modelling, DTA/IHT review, and annual rebalancing
If AJ Bell won’t onboard you because you’re non-UK or EEA-resident, there are still fully regulated solutions available. Our team will help you find a compliant International SIPP that fits your residency, keeps costs transparent, and safeguards your retirement strategy.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
👉 Speak to a Cross-Border Adviser
Cost & Service Comparison
| Feature | AJ Bell Youinvest SIPP | AJ Bell Investcentre SIPP | International SIPP (typical) |
| New account if non-UK resident | Not allowed | Not allowed if EEA resident | Allowed with accepted countries |
| Ongoing platform fees | Low retail D2C | Adviser-platform pricing | Trustee/admin c. £150–£250 p.a. + platform (varies) |
| Investment universe | Broad UK retail | Broad adviser range | Broad, but varies by platform & residency |
| Adviser access | DIY | Through FCA authorised adviser | Through locally authorised adviser |
Note: Your actual costs depend on provider choice and portfolio size.
Heading: Related Blogs (non-UK residents & overseas SIPPs)
If you’re running into overseas SIPP restrictions, these blogs may also help:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my existing AJ Bell SIPP if I move abroad?
Often yes, but new openings are restricted, and some features may be limited after you change residency. Always check the latest product literature for your exact account. Rules are also subject to change, with many providers continuing to bring in more restrictive rules for non-UK residents, making them less and less suitable as time passes.
Why won’t Investcentre accept EEA residents?
Post-Brexit, many UK platforms avoid MiFID/IDD exposure by not onboarding EEA residents and ESMA now requires UK financial services providers to have a place of business in the EEA if they are to accept new business from retail clients resident there. Investcentre’s T&Cs reflect that stance for new business/servicing where the client is an EEA-resident.
Is an “International SIPP” different from a UK SIPP?
Structurally it’s still a UK, FCA-regulated SIPP — the difference is onboarding and servicing for non-UK residents. Costs can be slightly higher, but investment choice can be like-for-like, and they are provided through a regulatory compliant process via a locally authorised and regulated adviser.
I’m in the US — can I still consolidate UK pensions?
Yes, via an International SIPP plus US-compliant advice and portfolios.
What if I’m returning to the UK later?
We can keep you on an International SIPP now and continue seamlessly when you come back; or plan for a future platform switch if that lowers long-run costs.
Sources & further reading
- AJ Bell Terms & Conditions / product pages indicating UK tax residence is required to open a SIPP. AJ Bell+1
- AJ Bell Investcentre Terms & Conditions outlining EEA residency restrictions for accounts. AJ Bell Investcentre