Fidelity Account Restrictions for US Expats: 2026 Policy and What to Do

Fidelity does not close every expat account, but it restricts what you can do once your address is outside the United States. Its trading FAQ says it does not open accounts for new customers residing outside the US. Existing customers who move abroad can generally keep self directed accounts with restrictions: managed relationships end, purchases of US mutual funds stop, and in some countries accounts are limited to selling investments and withdrawing the proceeds.

The trigger is your address of record, not your citizenship. When Fidelity learns you reside outside the US, common outcomes are:

• New account opening is generally unavailable to non-US residents.
• Discretionary asset management ends, and certain mutual funds held in those managed accounts may be sold. Representatives can provide administrative help but cannot discuss asset allocation, income planning or portfolio composition.
• Purchases of US mutual funds are blocked, and contributions to 529 and HSA accounts stop. Existing mutual funds in self directed accounts can generally remain, and Fidelity currently allows dividend and capital gain reinvestment.
• In some countries, customers are limited to selling investments and withdrawing the proceeds, and further restrictions can affect deposits, margin, options or specific account types. Fidelity crypto accounts must be closed when you move outside the United States.
• Workplace accounts such as a 401(k) with Fidelity can usually remain in place, though servicing options may narrow.

EU and UK residents face an extra layer that is not Fidelity-specific: PRIIPs rules prevent most EU brokers and platforms from selling US-domiciled ETFs and funds to retail investors, which compounds the mutual fund purchase block.

1. Consolidate scattered accounts while you still have a US address, so you are managing one custodian relationship from abroad instead of five.
2. Ask Fidelity in writing what your specific account types can and cannot do from your destination country, and keep the answer.
3. If you hold US mutual funds, understand that you can usually keep and sell them but not add to them; decide before the move whether to reposition into assets you can still trade.

Do not misstate your address to keep full access. Custodians cross-check addresses, logins and tax documents, and a discovered mismatch is the fastest route to a frozen account.

If Fidelity has already limited your account or asked you to move it, you generally have a notice window. Use it to inventory positions, check which holdings can transfer in kind to an expat-friendly custodian, and avoid forced sales with tax consequences in both your countries. The full playbook, including what to do custodian by custodian, is in our guide to US custodians closing and restricting nonresident accounts.

Aequify gives US expats a single view of accounts across countries, flags compliance obligations like FBAR and FATCA that follow account moves, and prepares the tax-ready data your advisor needs when repositioning around a custodian restriction. If a Fidelity letter set this in motion, start with the birds-eye view before you sell anything.

This article provides general information and is not tax, legal or investment advice. Policies vary by country, account type and individual circumstances. Confirm current rules with Fidelity and qualified advisers before acting.