UK Expat Mortgage Rates for Bahamas Residents 2026 - Updated November 2026
- 5-year expat BTL fixes from
- c.5.0%5-year expat BTL fixes from
- BSD income haircut
- 5%–15%BSD income haircut
- lender access (not EU, USD-pegged)
- Goodlender access (not EU, USD-pegged)
- typical deposit
- 25%typical deposit
The Bahamas has no personal income tax, and the Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one to the US dollar, so UK lenders treat Bahamas income much like USD income. Many British residents there work in banking, trust and fund administration or tourism, and higher-value cases are often placed with private banks rather than mainstream expat lenders.
UK Expat Mortgage Rates - November 2026
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| Product | Indicative rate, November 2026 | Typical max LTV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expat buy-to-let, 5-year fix | from c.5.0% | 75% (80% with selected lenders) | Most common expat product; assessed mainly on UK rent |
| Expat buy-to-let, 2-year fix | c.5.25%–6.5% | 75% | Example: Family BS 5.99%, 60% LTV, 1% fee. Lower headline rates carry fees of 3%+ |
| Expat BTL via limited company | usually a little above personal-name BTL | 75% | Fewer lenders; director guarantees required |
| Expat residential (home for return or family) | c.5.0%–6.0% | 75%–85% | Narrower lender pool; some lenders require an account relationship |
| Expat remortgage / product transfer | as purchase | 75% | Plan 6 months before your fix ends |
How UK lenders treat foreign-currency income
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| Income currency | Typical haircut | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| GBP (incl. UK pensions, GIP, Jersey/Guernsey/Manx pound) | None | Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar; any UK-pension income |
| USD and USD-pegged (AED, SAR, QAR, BHD, OMR, HKD) and KWD | 5%–15% | UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Hong Kong, USA |
| EUR, CHF, SGD, DKK | 10%–20% | EU countries, Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark |
| AUD, CAD, NZD, SEK, NOK, JPY, KRW, ILS, INR, MYR | 15%–20% | Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Israel, India, Malaysia |
| ZAR, THB, IDR, BRL | 20%–25% | South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil |
| CNY | Specialist assessment; capital controls on moving funds | China |
| TRY | 25%+ or declined | Turkey |
How UK lenders assess Bahamas income
Payslips, an employer letter and 3–6 months' bank statements; with no income tax return, lenders rely on employer evidence.
Banking, trust and professional-services salaries are well understood. Self-employed applicants usually need 2 years of accounts.
Larger loans and income from investments or distributions are typically placed with private banks, which underwrite on overall wealth.
The Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one to the US dollar, so lenders treat BSD income as USD income and apply a 5%–15% haircut. A £100,000-equivalent salary is usually assessed at £85,000–£95,000.
UK tax when you live abroad
Non-UK residents pay the 2% non-resident SDLT surcharge on top of the higher rates for additional properties in England and Northern Ireland. Rental income is taxed in the UK under the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme; register with HMRC to receive rent gross.
Whether it is also taxed where you live depends on that country's double taxation agreement with the UK — take local tax advice.
Bahamas income: worked example
- Currency haircut
- 5%–15% (BSD)
- Assessed income
- £85,000–£95,000
A £100,000-equivalent salary paid in BSD.
Worked examples use a £100,000-equivalent salary so no exchange rate is needed.
Check which lenders accept you — free eligibility check
The figures above are indicative and describe the best case. Send your own scenario and we will come back the same working day with terms from the lenders that actually fit it.
- Enquiry type
- International Finance
- About
- Bahamas
No upfront fees on loans over £1m.
What happens next
- Fill in the form. It takes about 2 minutes.
- We'll email you back with any additional questions, then match you with the right specialist for your situation.
- A specialist independent broker will contact you to discuss your situation and present options.
Enough detail to price it is the amount, the security, the purpose and how you plan to repay. The rest we can fill in on a call.
Whole of market · 130+ lenders · FCA 814533 · Same working day response
Rate context and outlook
Expat lenders price off the same swap rates as the wider market, where the best mainstream fixes are now 4.78% on both 2 and 5 years. Expat products sit above that floor, and HSBC Expat and Molo both repriced ranges during the autumn.
For EU residents, CRD VI rules mean Skipton International no longer takes new applications, so HSBC Expat, Molo Finance and NatWest International are the main routes. Bank Rate is 3.75% (next decision Thu 5 Nov 2026). Most economists expect a rise to 4.00%: 54 of 63 in a Reuters poll on 15 October.
Reviewed by David Doulton, Director, Doulton Bridging Finance, over 20 years in property finance. Last reviewed 3 November 2026. Doulton Money Ltd t/a Doulton Bridging Finance, FCA No. 814533.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a UK mortgage while living in the Bahamas?
Yes. British nationals in the Bahamas can borrow through specialist expat lenders, and larger cases through private banks.
How do UK lenders treat Bahamian dollar income?
As US dollar income, because the BSD is pegged one-to-one to the USD. The haircut is usually 5%–15%.
Do I need a Bahamas tax return?
No. There is no personal income tax, so lenders rely on payslips, an employer letter and bank statements.
Is a private bank better for high-value cases?
Often, for larger loans or where income comes from investments or trusts, because private banks assess overall wealth rather than salary alone.
What deposit do I need living in the Bahamas?
Usually 25% for buy-to-let; private bank cases are priced individually.
Can I buy UK property through a limited company from the Bahamas?
Yes, via an expat limited company buy-to-let, with director guarantees. Fewer lenders offer it and rates are usually a little higher.
Can I get a UK mortgage while living abroad?
Yes. Specialist lenders offer expat buy-to-let and residential mortgages to British nationals living overseas, usually through a broker.
How much deposit do I need?
Usually 25%; 15%–20% is possible with a few lenders, and restricted currencies may need 30%–35%.
Do I need a UK bank account?
Most lenders want mortgage payments made from a UK account, and some require one before completion.
Can I keep my UK home and rent it out when I move abroad?
Yes — through consent to let from your lender or by remortgaging to expat buy-to-let.
How long does an expat mortgage take?
Typically 4–8 weeks; certified documents and time zones add a little time.
Can I do everything remotely?
Yes. ID can be verified digitally or with certified copies, and signing is by post or e-signature.
Where this applies
Talk to us about
Most buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the FCA. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments.
Check which lenders accept residents of the Bahamas - free eligibility check
Independent whole-of-market advice · FCA No. 814533