Expat Mortgage - Switzerland
Switzerland is not an EU member state - CRD VI does not apply.
UK mortgages from Switzerland
Switzerland-based UK expats retain the same specialist lender access as before March 2026. CHF (Swiss franc) is a stable, well-regarded currency with a modest haircut. Switzerland hosts a substantial British expat community concentrated in international banking, asset management, pharmaceutical companies, and international organisations (UN, WHO, ICRC) based in Geneva.
The options we compare
Switzerland BTL Expat
UK buy-to-let from Switzerland. Full specialist lender panel - CRD VI does not apply. CHF income well-accepted. All major specialist expat lenders include Switzerland on their acceptance lists.
Geneva International Organisation Employees
UN, WHO, ICRC, WTO, and other international organisation employees in Geneva. Often paid in CHF but with tax-exempt status (international civil servant exemptions). Income evidence from international organisations is well-understood by specialist lenders.
Zurich Finance Professionals
Private banking, asset management, and investment banking professionals in Zurich. High CHF salaries with significant bonus components. Complex income structures including discretionary bonuses and deferred compensation.
Pharma and Tech Professionals
Roche, Novartis, ABB, and other Swiss multinational employees. CHF salary plus equity compensation. Specialist income assessment for Swiss-listed company compensation structures.
CHF Income Assessment
CHF income is well-accepted and treated with a modest haircut (approximately 15%) reflecting the currency's stability. CHF/GBP exchange rate has historically been relatively stable - lenders apply lower haircuts than for emerging market currencies.
Swiss Pension (2nd Pillar) Assets
Swiss occupational pension (Berufliche Vorsorge / LPP - second pillar) assets contribute to overall net worth. Unlike Australian superannuation, Swiss 2nd pillar funds can sometimes be accessed for a primary residence purchase under specific conditions. We advise on how these are presented.
How We Help
Swiss income review
Employment type (employed vs self-employed), income currency (CHF vs EUR vs USD for international orgs), bonus structure, and Swiss pension position.
Lender comparison
Full specialist lender panel for Switzerland - no CRD VI restriction. We compare across the whole panel.
Documentation
Swiss payslips (Lohnabrechnung), Lohnausweis (annual salary certificate - the primary Swiss income evidence), Swiss bank statements (3-6 months), passport. Source of deposit funds.
Remote completion
Full remote process from Switzerland. Swiss notarial certification of identity documents if required.
Speak to our international mortgage specialists
Call 0204 6211776 · Whole-of-market access · All expat locations · FCA No. 814533
Frequently asked questions
Is Switzerland affected by CRD VI?
No - Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and is not subject to CRD VI regulations. Switzerland-based UK expats continue to have the same specialist lender access as before March 2026. The CRD VI disruption that affected EU-resident expats does not apply to Switzerland.
Is CHF income accepted for UK expat mortgages?
Yes - CHF is accepted by all major specialist expat lenders. It is treated with a modest haircut (approximately 15%) reflecting the currency's stability relative to GBP. This compares favourably to EUR (15-20%) and is better than emerging market currencies (20-25%+).
I work for a UN agency in Geneva - how is my income assessed?
International civil servant income from UN-system organisations is typically assessed as employment income. Tax-exempt status (international civil servants are exempt from host country income tax) means income evidence comes directly from the organisation rather than from Swiss tax returns. The salary letter from the organisation, payslips, and bank statements are the primary evidence.
Can I use my Swiss Berufliche Vorsorge (BVG) for a UK mortgage deposit?
Swiss 2nd pillar pension funds can sometimes be withdrawn for the purchase of a primary residence under Swiss law - but the rules are specific and require specific Swiss approval. The withdrawal must be properly evidenced for UK lender AML purposes. This is a complex area - we advise on the documentation required to evidence Swiss pension withdrawal as a deposit source.
What SDLT applies to Switzerland-based buyers of UK property?
Switzerland-based buyers are non-UK residents for SDLT purposes. The 2% non-resident surcharge applies. For BTL, this stacks with the 5% additional dwelling surcharge and standard rates.