mortgages for expats Archives - Expat Mortgages UK

Getting a Mortgage on a UK Property You Inherited While Living Abroad

August 11, 2025

Once the emotional turmoil of losing a loved one eventually subsides and you discover that you’ve inherited your grandparents property, you are likely feel somewhat joyous. You might also be considering putting up more buildings on the land for example. You might want to keep your UK property, so you might plan to rent it out or buy a share from other family members. So, no matter what, you will need a mortgage to make all of these plans happen.

But you should remember that getting a mortgage as an expat isn’t always as straightforward as it can be for a UK resident. It’s okay. If you have inherited property and need a loan to make more from the property, then this short guide will show you how UK expat mortgages work.

Why Would You Need a Mortgage on Property You Inherited?

A lot of people believe that they can’t get a mortgage or borrow money against a home they inherit. But that’s not true.

They might still need a mortgage for other reasons – such as:

To buy out other heirs – if you share the inheritance with other family members, you might need money to buy the house outright.
To fix up or update the house – a mortgage can help pay for repairs on an older home.
To pay taxes or estate costs – sometimes the property has debts or taxes that need to be paid.
To release some money – some expats use the value of their homes to get money for other things.

If you know why you need the mortgage, it will be easier to find the right expat residential mortgage in the UK who offer expat residential mortgages.

What Is a Mortgage for Expats?

People who live outside the UK but want to borrow money based on their UK home can get an expat mortgage. People who don’t live in the UK can’t get standard mortgages. Lenders have made special mortgage products for expats to help them with this problem.

These mortgages take into account that your income might be in a different currency, your tax records might be from another country and you might not have a recent UK credit history.

What Lenders Think About Expats

When you apply for an expat residential mortgage in the UK, lenders will look at:

Where you live: Some lenders only accept applications from certain countries.
Your income and currency: You need to show proof of income, which will be changed into pounds for things such as affordability checks etc.
Your credit history: Lenders will look at your UK credit history if you have one. If not, they might check your financial history in the overseas country where you reside.
What are your plans for the property? Will you live in it, rent it out, or leave it empty? This determines kind of mortgage you secure on the property.

Challenges for Expats

It is absolutely possible to get a mortgage while living abroad, but it is however harder:

More strict checks – more documentation may be required, such as contracts, tax forms, and bank statements.
Fewer lenders – Not all banks in the UK will give mortgages to people who live outside of the UK. Specialist UK expat mortgage lenders exist to solve this problem.
Higher interest rates – Lenders often charge more for expat loans because they deem them to be riskier.
Currency issues: If you earn money in a different currency, the exchange rate can have an effect on your application.

A lot of expats ask an expat mortgage expert for help because of this.

Why Should You Hire an Expat Mortgage Advisor?

It can be easier to get a mortgage as an expat if you work with a professional. They know which banks and other financial institutions will work with people that are either British Expats or Foreign nationals who are now living in another country.

A specialist expat mortgage broker will:

Source the whole market to determine which mortgages for expats have the best rates and terms.
Help with getting all the papers together and ready.
Figure out if you need a mortgage to buy a home or a buy-to-let property.
You might apply to lenders who will turn you down if you don’t get the right help from a mortgage expert.

How to Improve Your Chances

You chances of being approved first time and a smooth application if you prepare well – this includes:

Get your papers in order. This includes your ID, proof of address, income, and tax information.
- Check your UK credit report and make sure it is correct if you still have one.
- Pick the right type of mortgage. If you want to rent the house, you’ll most likely need a buy-to-let expat mortgage.
- Get help from a specialist mortgage advisor – they know which lenders are best for your situation.

Last Thoughts

If you live outside the UK and inherit a home there, it could be a big financial opportunity, but you might still need a mortgage to get the most out of it.

Expatriates like you can get UK expat mortgages, but they may cost more and require a much more complex application process. If you work with an expat mortgage expert they will help you find the right lender and show you how to do it.

Inherited Property in the UK and Living Abroad?

Contact us today to secure the right mortgage with the help of an expert. Our mortgage advisors for expats can help you find lenders, explain the paperwork, and get the most money out of your UK home.

Expat Mortgage Brokers vs High Street Banks: What’s the Real Difference in 2025?

August 4, 2025

If you’ve been looking for an expat mortgage broker in the UK or an expatriate mortgage advisor, it’s likely that you’re planning to buy a home in the UK while living abroad or that you’re earning money in a foreign currency. It’s not always easy, no matter what.

There is a lot of noise out there and the rules are always changing. The mortgage market is busier and more competitive than ever in 2025. That makes it even more important to know who can really help and when it’s better to use a broker than to go to the bank.

Let’s break it down.

1. Brokers Really Get Expats

When it comes to borrowing money in the UK, most expats have at least one thing working against them: they’re not living here! Banks tend to see things like your salary being paid in a different currency, your address being outside the UK, or not having a long credit history in the UK as red flags.

Many banks that advertise expatriate mortgage services still want applicants to have a job in the UK, earn money in sterling, and have built up credit here as that fits their model so much easier. However, that’s simply not how most expats live their lives.

A specialist expat mortgage broker, on the other hand, works with these kinds of cases every week. They’ve worked with people who were paid in euros, dollars, dirhams, and more. They know how to explain your income and situation to lenders so that you don’t just get thrown out as another “non-standard” application.

2. Banks Have Limits. Brokers Don’t.

When you go to a bank on the high street, you can only see their own products. That’s all. There is no backup plan if you don’t fit into their system; they just say “no.”

A specialist mortgage broker does things differently. They know a lot of lenders, like private banks, speciality lenders, international names, and even a few high street banks that you can’t get to directly. Some brokers, such as Expat Mortgages UK, have deals with lenders that don’t advertise.

In short, if your situation is even a little bit complicated, an expat mortgage broker firstly gives you more options and secondly, significantly improves the likelihood of securing the mortgage you require.

3. Some Mortgages Need Flexibility

Not all buyers want a simple 25-year fixed-rate loan. Some people who live abroad want terms that only pay interest. Some people make money in more than one currency. Some people need the loan to be held in trust or tied to assets in another country.

If that’s you, a bank on the high street will probably have a hard time understanding your circumstances as they are not setup to do so. They are made for more traditional lending. You’ll get a standard form and standard choices, and not much room to say anything.

But expat mortgage advisors can find lenders who are okay with things like:

Loans backed by income from abroad
Applications from more than one country
Higher loan-to-value ratios
Borrowing linked to assets held outside the UK

They know which lenders are willing to work with you in more creative ways, and they know how to make your case so that it gets looked at.

4. Time Zones, Delays, and Real Help

It can be hard to get a mortgage while living in places such as Dubai, Singapore, or Boston for example. The time zones don’t match. People miss calls. It takes a long time to get emails.

This is something that an expat broker knows. They are usually more flexible, available outside of the usual 9-to-5 hours and will take care of the paperwork and follow-ups for you. That’s a big help when you have to deal with work, family, and the stress of coordinating things across borders.

Banks on the high street? Not really. They often want to meet in person or call back during UK office hours. That’s fine if you’re in London, but not great if you’re 8 hours ahead!

5. What is the Real Cost?

Money is important. Now let’s talk about costs.

Most expat mortgage brokers charge a flat fee, which is usually between £1,000 and £2,000, or a percentage of the loan, which is usually between 0.5% and 1%. The lender may pay them, you may pay them, or both. Before you agree to anything, a good broker will make this very clear exactly what their costs are.

On the other hand, banks often charge fees for setting up the loan, valuing the property, and other things. A few of these things don’t become clear until later. Banks, on the other hand, don’t usually try to get you the best deal overall; they just want you to take the deal they offer.

A broker can often help you see all the costs, even the ones that aren’t obvious. That alone could save you a lot of money.

When a High Street Bank Might Still Work

To be fair, banks aren’t always the wrong choice. Sometimes they might be the easiest choice.

This is when a bank might be enough:

You live in the UK full-time
Your income is in sterling
You have a clean UK credit history
You’re buying a modest property with a basic mortgage need

Final Thoughts

If you live outside the UK and earn money from abroad, a specialist expat mortgage broker is probably your best bet. They know what problems you face, they have more options, and they are made to help people like you.

High street banks are still useful, but only if your situation fits their strict rules.

So, if you have to choose between a bank and an expat mortgage advisor, ask yourself this – do I want to apply once and hope it works, or do I want to apply ten times?

Ready to Make the Right Move as an Expat Buyer in 2025?

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