Can foreigners buy property in the UK?
I am not British but I'm interested in owning a property in the UK. Is it possible for foreigners to buy property in the UK?
Yes, as a foreigner you can buy property in the UK, even if you do not live in the UK.
That said, buying property in the UK as a foreigner is easier if you are a cash buyer (i.e. do not need to apply for a mortgage or additional borrowing) as it may be difficult to apply for such a mortgage due to having no financial history in the UK.
If you are looking to buy a property, it is important that you have a full understanding of the UK property market and have access to funds.
It is also important to remember that property prices in the UK are still relatively high compared to most other countries, and even more so in the South East. However, if you are looking to buy a property in the UK, there are areas which are both affordable and, if you are specifically looking for an investment property, provide both a solid return on investment and are likely to increase in value over time.
With mortgage rates at their highest for over 15 years, if you can afford to buy a property outright the yields from rental income can be high, while property prices tend to rise over time, even if in the short term those gains might be limited.
When considering buying a property in the UK, it's important to understand that there is currently no visa option available, so if you were also looking to live in the UK, you would need to apply for a visa before moving here.
Investing in UK property
Due to the relatively low value of GBP since the 2016 Brexit referendum, buying a property in the UK is comparatively cheaper now than it was pre-2016 for people not living in the UK. While currency can have a significant impact on both the return on investment and gains, due to the nature of the UK property market, UK property investing is incredibly attractive to foreign buyers.
We have created an article which provides a detailed overview of UK property investment and the property buying process. Read our UK Property Investment article >
Speak to specialists who can assist with buying a UK property
Buying a property in the UK can be complex, especially when you live abroad and you will require specialists across a range of services, including legal, tax and foreign exchange - but also using specialist property search services can reduce the pain.
We provide a unique introduction service to a trusted group of UK property specialists who can provide you with help when buying a UK property as a foreigner.
Our introductions include an initial free consultation with each partner and enable to you have a general discussion to help you build a better understanding of how to invest in UK property and also the services and costs you will need to undertake to make your property investments more successful.
