Expat first-time buyer mortgages: buying your first UK home from abroad

Most expat lenders cap borrowing at 75–80% loan-to-value, so a 20–25% deposit is a realistic minimum; some apply a lower maximum LTV specifically to first-time buyers or to certain countries and currencies. The deposit must come from an evidenced source — savings, bonuses, a property sale or a documented gift — and lenders will trace it through statements.

Our UK expat finance guide explains deposit and source-of-funds rules in detail, and each country page links to a documents checklist for your country.

In England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyer relief from 1 April 2025 means no SDLT on the first £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000; relief is not available if the price is above £500,000. To qualify, every buyer must never have owned a residential property in the UK or anywhere in the world, and must intend to live in the home as their main residence.

If you are non-UK resident for SDLT purposes, a 2% surcharge applies to the whole price on top of the rates you pay. See GOV.UK SDLT rates, HMRC first-time buyer relief guidance and our expat Stamp Duty surcharge guide, including how a refund may be claimed if you later become UK resident.

Lenders convert overseas salary to sterling and may reduce it by a currency haircut, often around 10–25% depending on the currency and lender. Some accept only major currencies. Bonuses, allowances and equity awards are usually averaged or discounted, and self-employed income needs accounts and tax returns from your country.

Read how UK lenders assess foreign income for worked detail on haircuts and accepted currencies.

International banks' expat ranges, some building societies and private banks will consider first-time buyers, but criteria vary: some require prior UK property ownership, a minimum income, residence in an accepted country or a UK connection such as British nationality. Buy-to-let as a first purchase is especially restricted, as many lenders require landlords to already own a home.

Our comparison of expat lender types sets out currency appetite by lender type.

Qatar · Birmingham · Illustrative example

British teachers in Doha buy their first UK home

The challenge: A British couple teaching in Doha had never owned property anywhere. As overseas-resident first-time buyers they faced a narrower lender panel, QAR income needing sterling conversion and a deposit that had to be fully evidenced from savings in Qatar.

The approach: A specialist expat mortgage team would match them with lenders accepting first-time buyers in Qatar, present their riyal income correctly, evidence the £72,500 deposit and plan Stamp Duty around first-time buyer relief plus the 2% non-resident surcharge.

The numbers: £290,000 Birmingham semi, 25% deposit (£72,500), illustrative £217,500 mortgage at 75% LTV.

Read the full worked example

An illustrative worked example, not a completed transaction or a promise of terms. Clifton International is an introducer, not a lender or mortgage adviser.

The tool uses the same approved monthly snapshot as every expat page. Results are indicative initial rates for the panel, not confirmation that a lender accepts first-time buyers in your circumstances.

SDLT figures are from GOV.UK and apply to England and Northern Ireland; confirm your position with a solicitor or tax adviser. Rates are panel observations from public intermediary product sheets approved in Clifton's monthly rates panel; they are not offers. Clifton International is an introducer, not a lender or mortgage adviser. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.