Tens of thousands of British nationals live across continental Europe – in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and beyond. Post-Brexit, the landscape for UK expats in Europe has changed in terms of residency rights, but the ability to get a UK mortgage has not. For more information, see HMRC guidance for overseas income.
Can UK Expats in Europe Get a UK Mortgage?
Yes. UK nationals living in EU countries – including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and others – can apply for UK mortgages through specialist expat lenders. Euro income is accepted and EU-based applicants are well served by the expat mortgage market.
Post-Brexit: Does Living in the EU Affect Your UK Mortgage?
Brexit changed residency rights for UK nationals in Europe – most now need to hold a residence permit. However, Brexit has had no material impact on your ability to get a UK mortgage. Specialist expat lenders continue to welcome applications from EU-based UK nationals as before.
Key Requirements
- UK citizenship: Required for expat mortgage products
- EU residence documentation: Residence permit from your EU country
- Minimum income: 25,000 GBP equivalent (EUR accepted)
- Deposit: 25% minimum for buy-to-let; 10-15% possible for residential
- UK bank account: Required by most lenders
EUR Income and UK Mortgage Assessment
Euro income is converted to sterling at prevailing exchange rates. EUR-GBP is a relatively stable currency pair, so lenders typically apply only a modest currency buffer. German, French, and other northern European salaries in professional sectors translate well for UK mortgage affordability.
EU Nationals Buying UK Property Post-Brexit
EU nationals who are not UK citizens can also purchase UK property and access mortgages as foreign nationals. Those with settled or pre-settled status in the UK have access to the widest range of products. See our Foreign National Mortgages page for more.
Please note: Tax may be applicable on the purchase, sale and any rental income received from UK property. The Mortgage Story is not authorised to provide tax advice and strongly recommends seeking a professional tax adviser before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a UK mortgage while living in Germany?
Yes. UK nationals in Germany can access specialist expat mortgages. EUR income is accepted and the process can be managed entirely remotely.
Can I get a UK mortgage while living in France?
Yes. UK nationals in France – whether employed, self-employed, or working remotely – can apply for UK expat mortgages through specialist lenders.
Did Brexit affect UK expats ability to get UK mortgages?
No. Brexit changed residency rights in Europe but has had no material impact on the UK mortgage market for expats. UK nationals in EU countries can still access the full range of specialist expat mortgage products.
Is EUR income accepted?
Yes. Specialist lenders accept euro income and convert it to sterling for affordability assessment.
The Mortgage Story is a trading style of The Mortgage Story Ltd, which is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Firm Reference Number: 991223). We provide mortgage and protection advice only. Nothing in this article constitutes financial planning or legal advice.
How EUR Income Is Assessed for a UK Mortgage
Specialist lenders convert your Euro (EUR) income to sterling at the prevailing exchange rate for mortgage affordability purposes. A small currency buffer (typically 10–15%) is sometimes applied to account for exchange rate movements. Despite this, well-paid Europe-based applicants typically find their borrowing capacity is strong.
How to Apply for a UK Mortgage as a Europe Expat
The application process for an expat mortgage differs from a standard UK mortgage. Here’s what to expect:
- Initial consultation: Speak to a specialist expat mortgage broker — not a high-street bank. We assess your full financial picture including overseas income, currency, and property goals.
- Decision in Principle (DIP): We obtain a DIP from a suitable specialist lender, usually within 24–48 hours. This confirms how much you can borrow and is required when making an offer on a property.
- Full application: Once you have an offer accepted, we submit the full mortgage application with supporting documents.
- Valuation and underwriting: The lender carries out a property valuation and underwrites your application. This typically takes 2–4 weeks.
- Mortgage offer: Once approved, a formal mortgage offer is issued, usually valid for 6 months.
- Completion: Your UK solicitor handles the legal process, exchange of contracts, and completion. You do not need to be physically present in the UK.
Documents Required
Lenders will typically request the following for expat mortgage applications:
- Valid UK or EEA passport
- Last 3 months’ payslips (or last 2 years’ accounts if self-employed)
- Last 3 months’ bank statements (both UK and overseas)
- Employment contract or letter of employment confirming salary
- Proof of UK address history (where applicable)
- Proof of deposit (source of funds)
Why Use a Specialist Expat Mortgage Broker?
Standard UK mortgage brokers and high-street banks rarely have access to the specialist lenders that accept overseas income. Using a broker with expat expertise means:
- Access to the whole market: We compare 40+ specialist lenders including those not available directly to the public.
- Currency-flexible lenders: We know which lenders accept your specific currency and employment type.
- Faster decisions: We know the underwriting criteria, which means fewer declined applications and wasted time.
- No UK presence required: We handle everything remotely. Clients all over the world complete their UK mortgage without a single UK visit.
- Whole-of-market access: We work for you, not the lender — our advice is impartial.
The Mortgage Story is FCA regulated and specialises in expat and foreign national mortgages for buyers worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to travel to the UK to arrange the mortgage?
No — we handle everything remotely. Clients in Europe regularly complete UK mortgages without visiting the UK.
How quickly can I get a Decision in Principle?
We typically issue a DIP within 24–48 hours of your initial consultation once we have your income and property details.
What deposit do I need as a UK expat in Europe?
For residential purchases, most lenders require 15–25%. For buy-to-let, expect a minimum of 25–35%.
Related Guides
- Expat Mortgages Uk
- Expat Mortgage Foreign Currency Income
- Expat Buy To Let Mortgage Uk Guide
- Expat Mortgage Faq
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