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Which banks offer mortgages to Americans buying in the UK?
Tags: Foreign income mortgage, Help to Buy, Residential mortgages
Quick Summary
Can Americans get a mortgage in the UK? Yes. US citizens can apply for a UK mortgage, but lender options depend on where you live, your visa status, how much deposit you have and whether you earn in pounds or US dollars. Nationwide may consider Americans living in the UK who meet its residency, visa and sterling income requirements. HSBC UK can assess eligible US dollar income. If you still live in the United States, check which lenders accept US residents and whether they’ll finance a main home, second home or rental property. If you rely on a bonus or stock awards, ask how much the lender will count towards affordability. Call Trinity Financial on 020 7016 0790 to discuss your circumstances and find out which lenders may consider your application.
Page updated 05 November 2026.
It does not have to be challenging to secure a mortgage if you are an American citizen living and working in the UK or transferring to the UK for work. However, to get a mortgage, brokers like Trinity Financial will need you to have some form of financial link to the UK.
The number of people enquiring from the United States about homes for sale in the UK is at an eight-year high, Rightmove reveals. In 2025 the property website’s research shows the number of enquiries from the US about homes for sale in the UK since the start of the year is 19% higher than at the start of last year, and the largest since 2017.
Banks and building societies require slightly more information to provide a mortgage, but many lenders offer mortgages to Americans, provided they have a visa, typically a 25 per cent deposit, and a financial link to the UK.
Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says, "Over the years, we have helped US Nationals buy properties in England, but they need to have some link or credit footprint, like a bank account or be running a UK taxpaying company. A new job in London, for example, is also acceptable.
"We recently arranged a mortgage for an American and Canadian couple paid in US Dollars. The primary earner worked for an American company and had been posted to the UK indefinitely on a working visa. The partner had a dependent visa."
Some of the biggest banks offer mortgages to Americans living or moving to the UK
NatWest can lend up to 90% loan-to-value to Americans on a Tier 1 visa or highly skilled migrant visa. For individual applications on another type of visa (like Tier 2) without permanent rights to reside, there is often a maximum of 70% loan-to-value. For joint applications with one borrower on the mortgage with someone with a Tier 1 Visa, ILR or UK/EU citizenship, NatWest can consider lending up to 90% of the purchase price.
The bank can lend to Americans when they arrive in the UK, provided they meet the acceptance and mortgage affordability criteria. NatWest requires at least six months left on the visa and asks borrowers to provide a certified copy of their passport and visa.
NatWest's international department can provide mortgages for Americans living in America buying a home in the UK, and this includes Scotland. Applicants do not need a visa, although the bank will want to know how often they stay in the property if it is not let out.
Investec Private Bank is happy to lend to wealthier American clients in the UK or the US. To qualify, clients must have a minimum income of £300,000 and net assets of at least £3 million. Applicants in the UK typically can borrow 85% loan-to-value, although this will be reduced for overseas clients.
Investec assesses cases differently from the high street lenders, and its credit committee meets daily to agree on applications. The bank uses personal income to boost the maximum loan size on buy-to-let mortgages if the property does not generate enough rent.
Metro Bank has some competitively priced rates and lends to Americans on a Tier 2 Visa, provided they have a 25% deposit and earn at least £75,000. Applicants must be employed and take a mortgage on a capital repayment basis. They will also need a good credit score.
Santander will consider lending to Americans in the UK, provided they have a visa, but the mortgage is likely to be capped at 75% loan-to-value. Foreign nationals living in the European Economic Area are considered to be UK nationals.
Coutts can lend to Americans, but the minimum mortgage loan size is likely to be £3 million, which is higher than most other banks and building societies. They will likely need a 15% deposit.
US enquiries on UK home sales hit 8-year high: Rightmove
The number of people enquiring from the United States about homes for sale in the UK was at an eight-year high, according to Rightmove's latest data. The property website’s research shows the number of enquiries from the US about homes for sale in the UK since the start of the year is 19% higher than at the start of last year, and the largest since 2017.
Rightmove property expert Colleen Babcock says: “President Trump’s tariff announcements have led to more economic uncertainty globally, and we’re starting to see some of the effects of this on the UK property market.
“Whether it’s because the UK is seen as a more stable investment opportunity, or whether some buyers are considering a permanent move across the Atlantic, we’re seeing an increase in enquiries from the US.”
Mortgage tips for Americans buying in the UK
| What to look out for |
What to check before you apply |
|---|---|
| Visa and UK address history | The lender will need to know how long you have lived in the UK and how much time is left on your visa. Lenders have different acceptance and mortgage rules. It is often easier to get a mortgage if you are switching jobs and working for the same company. Or have a contract in place for a new job in the UK. |
| US salary, bonus and RSUs | Some lenders accept dollar salaries for Americans and assess their bonuses, commission or stock awards separately. More lenders accept RSUs, and some of the biggest banks are keen to attract borrowers paid partly in RSUs. |
| Limited UK credit history | Tell your broker when you moved and what UK address and banking history you have. If your UK credit file is thin, or you don't have a link to the UK, getting a mortgage is harder. Get your address history, payslips and bank statements ready for assessment. |
| Deposit held in America | Tell your solicitor and brokers early where the money is held and how you built it up, especially if it came from a family gift, an investment sale or a US property sale. Keep the paper trail and allow for currency movements and transfer costs when budgeting in pounds. |
| Buying while still living in the US | Some lenders accept applicants resident in the US and permit your intended use of the property, whether it’s a future home, a second home or a rental. Non-resident mortgage criteria can vary by country of residence and property use. For compliance purposes, brokers will need some form of link to the UK. |
| Stamp duty and property you already own | England and Northern Ireland apply a 2% non-resident SDLT surcharge where the buyer meets the relevant non-residence test. A home you already own in the US can also affect whether higher rates for additional properties apply. Ask your solicitor to check both before you set your budget or use the official stamp duty calculator. |
Source: Trinity Financial
What mortgage rates can Americans access?
Mortgage lenders are unlikely to charge a premium for Americans buying in the UK. Most regular banks and building societies offer their standard rates to Americans, provided they have a link to the UK and can demonstrate they can afford the mortgage with payslips, accounts, or bank statements.
Click here to view some of the mortgages we have arranged for our American clients:
- £1 million+ mortgage for tech specialist moving from America using RSU income.
- £930,000 mortgage for US-based partner in multinational accountancy firm.
- £450,000 five-times salary mortgage for American client on working visa.
- £500,000 mortgage for US Citizen living in the UK for 11 months agreed.
- £350,000 mortgage for British client living in America buying second home in London.
- £775,000+ mortgage for doctor using American dad's foreign income to boost affordability.
Call Trinity Financial on 020 7016 0790 to secure a large mortgage loan, book a consultation, or complete our mortgage questionnaire.
The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. It is for general information purposes and is not advice.
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