Mortgages for British Expats & Non-UK Residents: Everything You Need to Know About Buy-to-Let Mortgages

If you’re a non-UK resident looking to start or grow your UK property portfolio, understanding how UK property investment mortgages work is absolutely essential. Whether you’re in Dubai, Singapore, Qatar, Switzerland, the U.S., or beyond, getting a UK mortgage is not only possible, it can be a powerful tool to build wealth through UK buy-to-let property.

In this post, we’ll break down mortgages for British expats & non-UK residents by going into what a mortgage is, how interest rates are calculated, how expats and non-UK nationals can secure a UK mortgage. If you want help connecting with one of our trusted, specialist brokers - contact us here.

What Is a Mortgage?

A mortgage is simply a loan secured against a property. When investing in UK property, British expats and UK-residents usually look at buy-to-let mortgages, which are specifically designed for properties that will be rented out to tenants.

With most expat buy-to-let mortgages, you’ll need:

• A deposit of at least 25% (some lenders ask for more)

• Proof of income or business earnings abroad

• A clean credit history

How Are Interest Rates Calculated?

Most mortgage rates in the UK are based on swap rates, which is the interest rate at which banks lend to each other for fixed terms. These are influenced by inflation, the Bank of England base rate, and market forecasts.

For example:

• If 5-year swap rates rise, 5-year fixed mortgage rates tend to increase.

• Tracker mortgages are tied directly to the Bank of England base rate, which can rise or fall during your mortgage term.

Expats often choose fixed-rate mortgages to lock in certainty, especially in volatile markets.

Can British Expats & Non-UK Nationals Get a Buy-to-Let Mortgage?

Yes, and more easily than you might think. Several UK lenders offer UK property investment mortgages specifically for expats and non-UK nationals. These include both mainstream banks (like HSBC) and specialist lenders (like Skipton International, Tipton, Molo, Axis Bank, Landbay, and more).

Requirements vary, but you’ll usually need:

• A valid UK passport (Although we can get mortgages for non-UK citizens if necessary)

• Proof of address in your current country of residence

• Proof of income or self-employment abroad

• A broker to package and submit your application properly

This is where many non-UK residents go wrong, applying directly to banks that don’t cater to international borrowers. The best route is to work with an expat/non-UK resident mortgage broker who specialises in getting mortgages for expats. They know exactly which lenders will work with your situation and how to present your case. Let us know if you want to be connected with one here.

At Expat Property Investments, we work with expat and non-UK resident mortgage brokers who specialise in securing mortgages for buy-to-let mortgages for no-UK residents (UK nationals & non-UK nationals). These brokers understand the unique challenges that you face face, such as time zones, foreign income, no UK address and they have know how to get deals done quickly and efficiently.

If you’re ready to explore financing options or you’re unsure where to start, just reach out to us and we’ll introduce you to the right mortgage broker for your circumstances. No obligation — just practical support from people who understand UK property investment inside out.

We help our clients through the mortgage process, but also through the rest of the investment process from start to finish with our bespoke sourcing service. Whether you want us to do everything for you, or you just want a second opinion, we can help you avoid costly mistakes with our variety of non-UK resident specific services.