UK mortgages for Switzerland residents

Yes. Switzerland-based buyers — whether Swiss nationals, British expats or international professionals based in Geneva, Zurich or Basel — can access UK mortgage products through specialist lenders. Key points:

• Minimum deposit: typically 25% for a non-resident purchase. High-net-worth buyers with significant liquid assets may access alternative mortgage structures depending on the lender.
• CHF income: Swiss franc salary, bonus and executive compensation is accepted. Lenders convert to sterling at prevailing rates — the conversion approach varies between lenders and materially affects maximum borrowing for high CHF earners.
• Bonus and deferred income: specialist lenders assess annual bonus, deferred compensation and equity (RSU, options, carried interest) on a case-by-case basis. The evidencing format and averaging approach vary — lender selection is the most important decision in complex bonus cases.
• No UK credit history: non-British Switzerland-based buyers typically have no UK credit footprint. This is expected and does not prevent borrowing.
• Returning British expats: UK nationals with a gap in their UK credit file from years working in Switzerland are assessed more holistically by specialist lenders than by standard high-street lenders.
• Source of funds: deposits held in Swiss banks — UBS, Julius Baer, Pictet, Lombard Odier — are accepted with appropriate documentation, typically three to six months of statements.
• Advice process: conducted remotely — no requirement to travel to the UK.

Switzerland-based clients in financial services and technology represent some of the most income-complex cases we handle — and consistently some of the most straightforward to resolve once the right lender is matched to the income structure.

Switzerland-based buyers are disproportionately concentrated in prime and super-prime UK property — particularly central London, where high purchase prices align with the income levels common in Swiss-based financial services roles. The mortgage approach for properties above £2 million differs from standard residential lending: private bank structures, larger deposit requirements and alternative income assessment approaches become relevant at the higher end.

We advise across the full spectrum — from a standard £500k London flat to an £8m prime London purchase — and know which lenders and structures suit which price points and income profiles.

Lockhart Murphy is UK-based and regulated for UK mortgage business. We are not licensed or regulated in Switzerland. This page does not constitute advice on Swiss law or tax matters.