Buying property in the UK as a foreigner

Thinking of moving to the UK and buying a home, or investing in the UK property market from abroad? Read on, as we’ve put together an essential guide for foreigners buying property in the UK.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about the property buying process, including finding a house or flat and getting a mortgage.

This includes any restrictions on buying property in the UK as a non-resident, some helpful info on UK property prices, and a run-through of fees and taxes you need to know about.

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How to buy property in the UK as a foreigner - Step-by-step process

Let’s take a look at the steps involved in buying a property in the UK as a foreigner, starting at the very beginning:

1. Set your budget and decide where you want to live, along with what type of property you’re looking for
2. Get your finances in order before you start house hunting. You’ll need to get together a deposit, and apply to get a mortgage in principle. This is a document from a mortgage provider which shows how much they are prepared to lend you
3. Start looking for properties, online or using an estate agent
4. Go on viewings, to inspect the property in person
5. Make an offer to the estate agent or owner. You may have to negotiate, offering a higher amount if other buyers are interested
6. Apply for your mortgage once your offer is accepted
7. Appoint a solicitor to carry out the conveyancing work
8. Arrange a home survey if you want one carried out
9. Your solicitor will carry out legal work until contracts can be exchanged. At this point, you’ll also pay a deposit (usually 10%). Once contracts are exchanged, you will be legally committed to buy the property
10. Make final arrangements and negotiations (for example, for fixtures and fittings) and prepare for completion
11. Pay the final balance to the solicitor and they will confirm completion. Your solicitor will also register the transfer of ownership with the Land Registry.
12. Pick up the keys and move into your new home!

Can I get a mortgage from a UK bank as a non-resident?

You can get a mortgage from a UK bank as a non-resident, but it’s generally much more difficult compared to applicants who live there permanently.

There aren’t a large number of products available for non-residents, so you may need to use a specialist broker to help you find a non-resident mortgage.

You’ll also face restrictions. For example, banks like HSBC will only offer residential mortgages to non-UK residents if they live in countries where the bank operates. This includes the USA, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong or the UAE among others.¹

In most cases, you’ll find that the requirements for application are more rigorous than for UK nationals and residents. For example, you may need to pay a larger deposit or face higher interest rates, along with having a minimum income and extensive proof of funds.

Taxes and fees for buying and owning property in the UK

There are a number of fees and taxes you need to know about as a foreigner buying property in the UK.

Many of these are applicable to all UK property purchases, while some are only for non-citizens purchasing property in the country.

Let’s take a look, so you can factor these extra costs into your total budget:²

Another important cost to know about is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This is payable on all residential properties in England or Northern Ireland costing over £125,000.³

If you’re a first-time buyer, you’ll only pay Stamp Duty on properties costing over £300,000, and you’ll pay a discounted rate on purchases up to £500.000.³

Stamp Duty has several rate bands ranging from 0% to 12%, and is calculated based on the part of the property purchase price that falls within each band.⁴ Higher rates are charged for the purchase of second homes. You can use this Stamp Duty calculator to work out how much you’ll pay.

As a non-resident buyer, you may also have to pay the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge. This usually adds 2% onto the default rates but there are exceptions where you can get a refund.⁴

Taxes on property purchases can be complicated, so it’s best to get professional advice to make sure you understand your obligations.

What’s the property market like in the UK?

The UK property market has experienced a slow and uncertain period, where house prices have largely stalled - with no significant increases or falls.

A combination of high interest rates and affordability pressures - affected by rises in the cost of living in the UK - have reduced buyer demand. Annually, demand dropped by 12% and sales fell by 4%. However, experts are predicting modest growth in 2026 and beyond.⁵

What this means for buyers is slightly less competition and more negotiating room, compared to boom periods. This could mean a better chance of securing your dream home within your budget.

Can foreigners buy property in the UK?

There aren’t any legal restrictions on foreigners buying property in the UK. This means almost anyone can buy a property there, regardless of nationality.

You don’t need a visa to invest in UK property either, although of course you will need one if you’re buying a home with the intention of moving to the UK and living in it.

It’s worth bearing in mind that foreign buyers may be subject to more rigorous identity checks, so you’ll need to make sure you have all the required documentation ready. This may include ID and proof of address.

Buying property in the UK after Brexit

Now that the UK has left the European Union, how does this affect foreigners interested in buying UK property?

The good news is that very little has changed in this regard since Brexit. Both EU and non-EU buyers can still purchase property in the UK in much the same way as UK citizens.

Can you buy property in the UK and get residency?

There is currently no option to get permanent residency status in the UK by buying or investing in property.

If you want to live in the UK - whether it’s to start a business, study or retire there - you’ll need to find and apply for the appropriate visa and residence permit.

Only after you’ve been a UK resident for the required amount of time (for example - 5 years with the skilled worker visa⁶) can you achieve settled status and apply for citizenship.

Buying property for Airbnb in the UK

If you’re planning to invest in property to let out on platforms such as Airbnb, you’re going to need a specific type of mortgage.

This may be a buy-to-let mortgage for long-term lets, or something called a holiday let mortgage for short-term bookings.

This is a rather niche product and it can be difficult to get - especially as a non-resident. Lenders often ask for a high deposit of 25% or more, and interest rates tend to be higher than standard UK residential mortgages.⁷

You’re best working with a specialist broker to find and apply for this kind of mortgage.

How much are the property prices in the UK

Now, let’s take a look at how much property costs in the UK.

As of September 2025, the average house price was £272,000.⁸ But of course, property prices can vary considerably between regions, and depending on the property type.

According to the UK’s House Price Index for September 2025, the average cost of a detached property was £445,097 while the average flat sold for £196,316.⁸

Here are the average UK house prices in different regions:⁸

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Where is the cheapest place to buy property in the UK?

The North East of England is the cheapest place in the UK to buy property, with the average house price around ££161,770.⁸

Other affordable regions include Yorkshire, the North West of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

As you might expect, London and the South are by far the most expensive places to buy property in the UK.

How can you find a property in the UK

Ready to start your property hunt? There are a few routes to try, from tapping into the expertise of local estate agents to scouring online property listings websites.

Property agencies and agents

If you’re still abroad and looking for a UK property to buy, you could use an estate agent to help you find the perfect home or investment.

If you know where you want to focus your search, you can contact local estate agents and they’ll help you find a property. However, bear in mind that some estate agents may charge a fee for some services.

Property websites

One of the easiest ways to find a property in the UK is online. There are a number of dedicated property websites you can use, such as:

• Rightmove
• Zoopla
• Prime Location
• OnTheMarket
• Gumtree

On most of these websites, you’ll be able to enter your exact search criteria. For example, what type of property, how many bedrooms, whether or not you want off-road parking or a garden.

There may also be the option to send a message to the owner or estate agent to arrange a viewing or find out more information.

What are some of the pitfalls of buying property in the UK as a non-resident?

There will always be pitfalls to watch out for when buying property anywhere, especially if you’re buying from abroad.

Here are some tips to bear in mind:

• Watch out for scams - you’ll need to steer clear of scams and fraud, by thoroughly checking the credentials of sellers and agents, particularly before handing over any money or setting up a transfer.
• Get a survey - you should also make sure to thoroughly assess the property before purchasing. You may want to save money by not commissioning a home survey. However, this could lead to the discovery of hidden repair or maintenance issues later on, and these can be expensive to fix.
• Be careful with unusual, damaged or non-traditionally built properties - some buyers also face problems getting a mortgage, due to buying property of non-traditional construction or another issue such as subsidence.

There’s also the risk of encountering obstacles during the purchasing process itself. There’s a chance you may get ‘gazumped’ by another buyer after you’ve had an offer accepted, or the sale collapsing because of problems further up the ‘chain’.

The ‘chain’ refers to related property purchases which all affect each other. For example, the property your seller is buying, and the property their seller is buying and so on. This isn’t an issue of course if the property you’re buying is empty.

How do you choose the right property in the UK

To avoid some of the pitfalls above and ensure you’re getting good value for money, it’s crucial to choose your new property very carefully. You’ll need to:

• Carry out at least one in-person viewing of the property
• Arrange for a detailed survey to be carried out to assess the condition of the property
• View the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to see the expected energy costs for the property
• Find out whether the property is freehold or leasehold, and understand the legal obligations for each
• Check that the property is legally allowed to be sold.

Condition of the property

The best way to check the condition of the property is to commission a home survey. This should be carried out by a trained professional, such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It involves a detailed inspection of the property, with a summary of any defects, minor maintenance and major works required.

There are a few different kinds of home survey, each offering a greater degree of detail (and with a higher cost):⁹

• Level 1 RICS Home Survey - a basic survey with minimum detail for conventional properties in reasonable condition.
• Level 2 RICS Home Survey - previously known as a Homebuyer Report, this is a mid-level survey and the most popular choice for people buying a conventional home in reasonable condition.
• Level 3 RICS Home Survey - an in-depth structural survey for properties over 50 years old or of unusual design.

Moving into your UK property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a few key tasks to run through.

These include taking out insurance, setting up your utilities and carrying out any energy efficiency renovations.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of moving in.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Energy efficiency renovations

If you’ve bought an older property, you might want to make some energy efficiency improvements to it. For example, upgrading the heating system or improving the insulation of the walls, loft and floors.

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Key takeaways

• Foreigners and non-residents can legally purchase property in the UK regardless of nationality or visa status. However, buying property does not automatically grant residency or a right to live in the country.
• While non-resident mortgages are available, they often require larger deposits, higher interest rates, and more rigorous proof of funds. Many buyers use specialist brokers to navigate the limited range of products offered by major banks.
• Non-resident buyers are generally subject to a 2% Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge on properties costing over £40,000. This is in addition to standard transaction costs like conveyancing fees and home surveys.
• Property prices vary significantly by region, with London and the South East being the most expensive, while the North East offers the lowest average costs.
• Buyers should conduct in-person viewings and professional surveys to identify structural issues or scams. It is also important to account for "the chain," where a sale depends on other related property transactions completing successfully.

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Sources used:

1. HSBC - Mortgages for non-UK residents
2. Money Helper - The cost of buying a house and moving
3. Gov.uk - Stamp Duty Land Tax Overview
4. Gov.uk - Residential property rates
5. MoneyWeek - What’s happening with UK house prices? Latest property market moves and forecasts
6. Gov.uk - Check if you need a UK visa
7. GoCompare - Holiday let mortgages
8. Gov.uk - UK House Price Index for September 2025
9. HomeOwners Alliance - House survey types and costs

Sources last checked on date: 16-Dec-2025