281: Securing Your New Life Abroad Using Expat Money with Mikkel Thorup

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Mikkel Thorup, founder and CEO of Expat Money, a consultancy helping clients navigate second residencies, international investments, and asset diversification. Known as one of the world’s most sought-after expat consultants, Mikkel has lived in nine countries over 25 years and built a portfolio of properties across ten nations. His work focuses on mitigating tax liabilities, creating Plan B options through residency and citizenship, and guiding investors toward secure and profitable opportunities abroad. Jonathan and Mikkel explore how global real estate investing intersects with lifestyle choices, risk mitigation, and long-term legacy planning. Mikkel shares how his early exposure to real estate through his family shaped his investment philosophy, why he avoids debt-heavy strategies, and how he structures group deals to reduce developer risk. He also breaks down the benefits of international diversification, not just in geography, but also in currencies, timelines, and property types. The conversation extends beyond investment mechanics to the lifestyle and generational advantages of expat living, including multi-citizenship for children, cultural exposure, and community building. Mikkel emphasizes the importance of boots-on-the-ground research, building trust with developers and governments, and striking a balance between adventure and security. This episode provides a roadmap for investors who want to align real estate with global mobility, family resilience, and financial independence. In this episode, you will hear: Mikkel’s journey from leaving school at 12 to becoming a leading global expat consultant The role of early family exposure to real estate in shaping his investment path Why he focuses on pre-construction and cash buying instead of debt-driven strategies How group purchasing reduces risk in international development projects The benefits of second residencies and citizenship as a long-term family legacy Currency diversification and geopolitical monitoring as part of global investing Structuring investments for both cash flow and capital appreciation abroad The importance of investor tours, trust, and seeing projects firsthand Top markets currently friendly to foreign investors: Costa Rica, Panama, and Paraguay Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Expat Money website - expatmoney.com Expat Money on YouTube - expatmoneyshow.com/youtube Expat Money’s Facebook - expatmoneyshow.com/facebook Find Expat Money on Instagram - www.instagram.com/expatmoneyshow Connect with Expat Money on LinkedIn - expatmoneyshow.com/linkedin Expat Money on X - expatmoneyshow.com/twitter Expat Money Summit - expatmoneysummit.com Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.