Living abroad.
You can get a UK mortgage while living abroad, to buy a home for a return or a property to let, but from a smaller group of lenders. Where you live, the currency you are paid in and your UK credit history all shape which lenders will look at your case.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
Written by Nathan Lawes, independent mortgage broker. Figures sourced and dated. Last reviewed .Read them in this order.
Start with how lenders see an overseas borrower, then the case that fits yours.
- 01 · Start hereExpat mortgages in the UK: how to buy or invest while living abroadHow a UK mortgage works when you live abroad, through one client’s case.Read
- 02 · InvestingBuying UK property from abroad: what to knowBuying UK property remotely, from stamp duty surcharges to identity checks.Read
- 03 · Foreign nationalsGetting a UK mortgage as a foreign nationalWhat lenders ask of a non-UK national, and where the friction is.Read
- 04 · Living in SpainCan you get a UK mortgage while living in Spain? A guide for expatsSpanish tax residency, a quiet UK credit file and euro income.Read
Can I get a UK mortgage while living abroad?
Yes, from a smaller group of lenders: specialist lenders, private banks and the international arms of larger ones. Where you live, the currency you are paid in and your UK credit history all shape which lenders will look at your case.
How is foreign-currency income treated?
Lenders commonly reduce it before assessing what you can borrow, to allow for exchange rate movements, and the reduction varies by lender. Some currencies are easier to place than others.
Can I buy a UK property to let while I live abroad?
Yes. An expat buy-to-let is assessed mainly on the expected rent against the mortgage payment, alongside your own circumstances. Stamp duty surcharges can apply to non-residents; speak to an accountant about the tax.
Can the application be done from overseas?
Yes. Expect certified copies of your documents, sometimes translations, and a longer timeline than a purchase from within the UK. A power of attorney in the UK can help with exchange and completion.
Where to go next
- ServiceExpat and overseas mortgages with LawesBuying or investing in the UK from abroad, and how we work.
- CalculatorSee how foreign income may be countedA borrowing range on a salary in another currency. An illustration, not an offer.
- Related guideBuy-to-let: a guide in reading orderPersonal or limited company, rental cover, portfolio reviews.
- Talk it throughA 20-minute call with NathanNo obligation. We’ll look at where you live, how you are paid and which lenders fit.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.