AI Summary and Article Overview: International buyers can apply for a Spanish mortgage to purchase a holiday home, second home or investment property in Spain, even if they live abroad and earn income in a foreign currency. Popular buyers include British, German, Dutch, Belgian, French, Swiss, American and Canadian nationals. Depending on the lender, eligible income may be accepted in pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD), Canadian dollars (CAD), Swiss francs (CHF), euros (EUR) and selected Scandinavian currencies. Non-resident mortgages typically require a deposit, proof of income, bank statements and an assessment of existing financial commitments. Currency acceptance and borrowing limits vary between Spanish banks. Exploring mortgage options before choosing a property helps international buyers establish their budget and understand the financing available for their Spanish property purchase.
Buy a Property in Spain with a Mortgage Tailored to Your Circumstances
Dreaming of owning a property in Spain? Whether you are buying a holiday home on the Costa del Sol, a retirement property on the Costa Blanca or an investment property in Mallorca, a Spanish mortgage could help you turn your plans into reality.
You do not necessarily need to live in Spain or earn your income in euros to apply for a Spanish mortgage. Many international buyers can explore mortgage options as non-residents, subject to the lender’s eligibility criteria, income assessment and property requirements.
Explore your Spanish mortgage options and discover how much you could borrow as an international buyer.
Who Buys Property in Spain?
Spain attracts property buyers from across Europe and beyond. British buyers remain an important part of the market, alongside buyers from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and other countries.
According to Spanish property market data for the first half of 2025, British nationals accounted for 8.1% of property purchases by foreign buyers, followed by Moroccan nationals at 7.9% and German nationals at 6.7%. Among non-resident buyers specifically, British, German, Dutch and Belgian nationals are particularly prominent. [Source: Spanish General Council of Notaries and CaixaBank Research.]
International Buyers We Can Help
- British buyers: Purchasing a holiday home, retirement property or second home using income earned in pounds sterling.
- German buyers: Exploring Spanish property purchases using euro-denominated income.
- Dutch and Belgian buyers: Looking for coastal homes, villas and apartments in Spain.
- French buyers: Purchasing a second home or relocating to Spain.
- Swedish, Norwegian and Danish buyers: Exploring mortgage options when earning in Scandinavian currencies.
- Swiss buyers: Seeking finance while earning in Swiss francs.
- American and Canadian buyers: Purchasing Spanish property using dollar-denominated income.
- Other international buyers: Exploring financing options based on their nationality, country of residence and income currency.
Mortgage eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the lender’s criteria, rather than nationality alone.
Can You Get a Spanish Mortgage If You Live Abroad?
Yes. Spanish banks and specialist mortgage providers offer financing options for eligible non-resident buyers.
You may be able to apply even if you live and work in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States or another country. You do not necessarily need to have found your property before exploring your borrowing options.
Lenders typically assess:
- Your salary, business income or other eligible earnings.
- Your existing mortgage payments, loans and financial commitments.
- Your credit history and financial stability.
- Your available deposit and overall assets.
- The property’s value and suitability as security.
- Your country of residence and the currency in which you receive your income.
Non-resident mortgage offers vary between lenders. The amount you can borrow, the deposit required and the available terms will depend on your circumstances.
Which Currencies Can You Earn in When Applying for a Spanish Mortgage?
You do not necessarily need to earn euros to apply for a Spanish mortgage. Some lenders consider foreign-currency income, although their accepted currencies and lending conditions differ.
| Country or region | Common income currency |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | British pound (GBP) |
| United States | US dollar (USD) |
| Canada | Canadian dollar (CAD) |
| Germany, France, Netherlands and Belgium | Euro (EUR) |
| Switzerland | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Sweden | Swedish krona (SEK) |
| Norway | Norwegian krone (NOK) |
| Denmark | Danish krone (DKK) |
| Poland | Polish złoty (PLN) |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE dirham (AED) |
Table source: Your Spanish Mortgage
This table shows common national income currencies, not a confirmed list of currencies accepted by every Spanish bank. Some lenders accept only selected foreign currencies, and others may decline applications where income is paid in a particular currency.
Exchange-rate movements can also affect affordability calculations. A lender may discount foreign-currency income or apply additional requirements to manage currency risk.
Before applying, it is important to identify lenders whose criteria match your country of residence, income source and currency.
How Much Can Non-Residents Borrow in Spain?
The maximum mortgage available depends on the lender, the property and your financial profile. As an illustration, some Spanish lenders may offer non-residents financing of around 60–70% of the property’s accepted value.
For example, if you purchase a property for €300,000 and obtain a mortgage covering 70% of the accepted value, the figures would be:
- Property price: €300,000
- Illustrative mortgage: €210,000
- Deposit required: €90,000
- Additional purchase costs: budgeted separately
These figures are examples, not a guaranteed mortgage offer. Your lender may offer a lower loan-to-value ratio, and you will need additional funds for applicable property taxes, legal fees and other purchase expenses.
What Documents Do You Need?
International and non-resident buyers are usually asked to provide documents that demonstrate their identity, income and financial position.
Depending on your circumstances, these may include:
- Passport and proof of address.
- Recent payslips or evidence of self-employed income.
- Bank statements.
- Tax returns or tax assessments.
- Details of existing mortgages, loans and other commitments.
- Evidence of savings and the deposit available.
- Information about the property you intend to purchase, when available.
Documents issued abroad may need to be translated or supplied in a particular format. Requirements vary between lenders and countries.
Do You Need to Find a Property First?
No. Exploring your mortgage options before choosing a property can help you establish a realistic budget and understand the deposit you may need.
An initial mortgage assessment or mortgage in principle can provide an indication of your potential borrowing capacity. It is not a guarantee of final approval.
Once you have chosen a property, the lender will generally undertake further affordability checks and arrange a valuation before issuing a final mortgage offer.
Why Arrange Your Spanish Mortgage Before You Buy?
Planning your financing early can help you:
- Understand your potential borrowing capacity.
- Establish how much deposit you need.
- Identify lenders that consider your income currency.
- Prepare the necessary financial documents.
- Compare mortgage terms and associated costs.
- Make informed decisions before committing to a property.
This can be especially important if you are paid in a foreign currency, are self-employed or have income from more than one country.
Start Your Spanish Mortgage Application
Whether you are a British buyer earning in pounds, an American buyer earning in dollars or a European buyer receiving income in another currency, understanding your mortgage options is an important first step towards purchasing property in Spain.
The right starting point is to assess your income, country of residence, available deposit and preferred property budget, then identify lenders whose criteria fit your circumstances.
Ready to explore your options?
Contact us to discuss your Spanish mortgage requirements and find out what financing options may be available to you as an international or non-resident buyer.
Mortgage availability is subject to lender criteria, affordability assessments, property valuation and approval. Currency acceptance, loan-to-value limits, interest rates and documentation requirements vary by lender. Property market figures reflect the cited reporting period and may change. This article is for information purposes only and is not financial advice.
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