How UK Citizens Living Abroad Can Buy or Remortgage Property
UK expats can get mortgages on UK property, but the process is more specialised. Lenders treat expats differently because income is earned overseas, documents may be in foreign currencies, and many standard UK banks restrict non-resident applicants. However, a wide range of specialist and mainstream lenders still offer expat mortgage solutions for purchases, remortgages and buy-to-let investments.
This guide explains how expat mortgages work, which lenders consider them, what documents you’ll need, how affordability is assessed, and how to avoid common obstacles.
What Is an Expat Mortgage?
An expat mortgage is designed for UK citizens who live or work abroad but want to buy or remortgage property in the UK. These include:
- UK nationals working overseas
- British passport holders living abroad
- Contractors or employees on international assignments
- Expats earning foreign currency
Most expat applications go through specialist underwriting, but criteria can be very flexible depending on your circumstances.
What Do Lenders Look For?
Lenders typically review:
- Employment status abroad
- Income level and currency
- Residency status and country of residence
- UK credit history
- Whether you have UK bank accounts
- Property type (residential or BTL)
Which Countries Are Accepted?
Lenders group countries into risk categories. Commonly accepted regions include:
- Tier 1: EU countries, USA, Canada, UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Specialist Tier: Some lenders accept applicants in Africa, South America, China, and offshore jurisdictions (e.g., Cayman Islands).
Lender choice varies by region due to regulatory and documentation requirements.
UK Credit History & Income Assessment
Even while living abroad, lenders often want to see active UK credit history, such as a UK credit card with regular use or a UK current account.
Income Assessment: Lenders accept employment, contractor, business owner, and pension income. However, they may apply a “haircut” to foreign currency income — for example, using 80–90% of the gross amount to account for exchange rate fluctuations.
Required Documents
Most lenders request:
- Passport & Visa / residency permit
- 3–6 months overseas payslips and bank statements
- UK credit report
- Employment contract (if applicable)
- Note: Documents not in English may require certified translation.
Expat Buy-to-Let (BTL) Mortgages
Expats often purchase UK investment properties because BTL criteria can be more flexible. Many lenders focus on the rental income rather than your personal income.
Relevant reading:
- Limited Company BTL
- BTL Stress Testing
- HMO Mortgage Guide
Deposit Requirements
Deposits for expat mortgages are typically:
- 20–25% for residential purchases
- 25%+ for buy-to-let (depending on rental stress)
For standard rules, see: Deposit Requirements Guide.
Remortgaging as an Expat
Expats can remortgage UK property to secure a better rate, release equity, or switch to a buy-to-let product. Typical scenarios include:
- Switching from residential to BTL while living abroad
- Capital raising for overseas investment
- Reducing a high variable rate
For remortgage steps, see: Remortgage Timeline.
Common Challenges & Tips
Why applications are declined:
- No active UK credit history
- Country of residence not accepted
- Currency fluctuation risk too high
- Large gaps in employment abroad
How to improve your chances:
- Keep a small amount of active UK credit.
- Maintain clean bank statements.
- Save a larger deposit.
- Use lenders experienced with expat profiles.
Next Steps
Expats often find the UK mortgage system more complex because lenders assess overseas income and residency differently — but with the right approach, approvals are common.
Explore related guides such as How Much Can I Borrow?, Contractor Mortgages, and use our mortgage calculators to estimate borrowing.
All mortgage advice is provided by FCA-regulated advisers. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
FAQs
Can UK expats get mortgages? Yes — many lenders specialise in expat applications.
Do lenders accept foreign currency income? Yes — but they may apply a reduction to account for exchange rate risk.
Can expats get buy-to-let mortgages? Yes — BTL can actually be easier than residential in many cases.
Do I need a UK bank account? Strongly recommended, but not always required.
Can expats remortgage a UK property? Yes — expats regularly remortgage for better rates or to release equity.