Expat & International Mortgages
UK mortgages for British expats living abroad, foreign nationals in the UK, and non-resident investors.
Three audiences, three lender panels
Three distinct audiences - three very different lender panels. We provide whole-of-market access across specialist expat lenders, international bank divisions, and private banking, matching the right lender to your country of residence, income currency, visa status, and property purpose.
The options we compare
Expat Buy to Let Mortgage
Own UK investment property while living abroad. Buy-to-let is the dominant expat mortgage product - assessed primarily on rental coverage rather than personal income. Specialist lenders including Skipton International, HSBC Expat, and Molo Finance accept overseas income and fund non-resident BTL purchases.
Expat Residential Mortgage
Purchase or retain a UK property as your future home - for expats planning to return to the UK or maintaining a UK base while working abroad. Smaller lender pool than BTL. Typically requires a credible UK return date or existing UK property ownership.
Non-Resident Investor Mortgage
Non-British nationals living overseas who want to invest in UK property. Higher deposit requirements (25-35%), narrower lender panel, currency and AML assessment required. HSBC Expat, Molo Finance, and specialist lenders are the primary route.
Foreign National UK Resident
Non-British nationals living in the UK on visas - Skilled Worker, Spouse, BNO, ILR, settled status. Visa type and remaining validity are key lender criteria. eVisa share code required from January 2025. Better lender access than overseas applicants.
Expat Remortgage
Remortgaging a UK property while living abroad - to a better rate, to release equity, or to switch from a UK-resident product to a specialist expat mortgage on departure. We arrange expat remortgages across the whole specialist lender panel.
Expat BTL Limited Company
Buy-to-let held in a UK limited company (SPV). The dominant structure for new portfolio purchases. Expat directors of UK SPVs - lender criteria, director guarantee, tax position, and how lenders assess the company versus the individual.
How We Help
Your situation
Country of residence, income currency, employment type, visa status (if UK-based), deposit source, and property purpose. We assess the realistic lender options immediately - before you approach anyone.
Lender matching
We identify which specialist lenders currently accept applications from your country of residence. Country acceptance lists change - we maintain current knowledge of every active lender's criteria.
Documentation preparation
Overseas income evidence varies significantly by country and employer type. We advise on exactly what is needed - avoiding applications that fail due to incorrect or incomplete documentation.
Application and completion
We manage the application, lender correspondence, and completion. Expat mortgage applications typically take 6-12 weeks. We keep you updated across time zones.
Speak to our international mortgage specialists
Call 0204 6211776 · Whole-of-market access · All expat locations · FCA No. 814533
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a UK mortgage while living abroad?
Yes - specialist lenders including Skipton International, HSBC Expat, and Molo Finance offer UK mortgages to non-resident borrowers. The product type matters: buy-to-let is more widely available than residential for expats. The lender shortlist depends on your country of residence, income currency, and deposit size. Not all lenders accept all countries - a specialist broker is essential.
How much deposit do I need for an expat mortgage?
The minimum deposit for expat mortgages is typically 25% of the property value - significantly more than the 5-10% available to UK residents. Buy-to-let expat mortgages typically require 25-35% depending on the lender and country. Some non-resident investors may need 35-40%. The non-resident SDLT surcharge (2%) is additional to the deposit.
What is the income currency haircut on expat mortgages?
UK lenders typically apply a 10-25% reduction to foreign-currency income before affordability assessment, to account for exchange rate risk. USD and AED-pegged currencies receive the smallest haircut (10-15%). Less stable currencies face a higher reduction. This means your effective UK borrowing capacity is lower than a direct sterling-equivalent conversion suggests.
What happened to Skipton International for EU residents?
Skipton International withdrew from new EU-resident mortgage applications from 1 March 2026, due to CRD VI regulatory changes. This has narrowed the lender shortlist for UK expats in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and other EU member states. Alternative lenders remain available - contact us for the current shortlist for your specific EU country of residence.
Can foreign nationals get a mortgage in the UK?
Yes - the answer depends on whether you are UK-resident or overseas-based. UK-resident foreign nationals (visa holders, ILR holders) have access to a wider lender panel than overseas non-residents. Visa type, remaining validity, and UK credit history are the key factors. We advise across the full spectrum from new arrivals to long-established UK residents.