Why Americans in Europe Can't Buy US ETFs (And the Workaround That Does)

Can you keep buying US ETFs after you move to Europe? Austin Davidson found out the answer is more complicated than it should be.

Most Americans moving to Europe don't realize that a regulation called MiFID II can quietly cut off direct access to the ETFs they've always used. In this episode, Austin Davidson, an American investor living in Germany, shares exactly what happened when his brokerage account stopped working the way he expected, and Blair Hoover, founder of Choose Your Own Finance, breaks down why the restriction exists, who it actually targets, and what Austin did to start investing again.

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CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

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00:00 – Why Americans Abroad Lose Access to US ETFs

05:48 – MiFID II and the Professional Investor Exemption Explained

09:33 – Investing Options for Americans Blocked From US ETFs

15:01 – How to Learn Options Trading for Cross-Border Investors

19:18 – The Legal Way to Acquire US ETFs Using Cash-Secured Puts

26:01 – Rebuilding a US ETF Portfolio After Losing Direct Access

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ABOUT THE GUESTS

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Austin Davidson is an American living in Germany who lost direct access to US ETFs when MiFID II came into force in 2019. He spent years exploring workarounds before learning to use options strategies to legally acquire US ETF shares again.

Blair Hoover is a financial independence coach and founder of Choose Your Own Finance, where she helps clients navigate the practical realities of cross-border investing and personal finance.

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ABOUT YOUR HOST

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Arielle Tucker, CFP® & IRS Enrolled Agent, is a cross-border financial planner based in Switzerland helping Americans living abroad navigate U.S. taxes, international investments, and cross-border financial planning.

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LOVE THIS EPISODE?

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Follow the show and leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it's the single biggest thing you can do to help other cross-border families find this show.

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ABOUT PASSPORT TO WEALTH™

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Passport To Wealth™ is the platform for current and aspiring US expats. We connect globally mobile Americans with vetted, licensed cross-border financial advisors, tax professionals, and relocation experts who understand the financial and legal complexities of life abroad.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

Options Education: https://www.optionseducation.org/strategies/acquire-stock

SMB Capital's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg0ts5NGr0o&t=207s

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STAY CONNECTED

Website: https://www.passporttowealth.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passporttowealthofficial/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passport-to-wealth/

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This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified cross-border financial professional before making any financial or tax decisions. Arielle Tucker, CFP® operates as a fiduciary in accordance with applicable professional regulations.

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