UK mortgages for EU citizens after Brexit.

Before Brexit, EU nationals in the UK exercised their EU treaty right of free movement, which conferred the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely. Many lenders effectively treated EU nationals in the same way as UK nationals for mortgage purposes. Post-Brexit, those rights no longer apply automatically, and EU nationals now need to hold a specific UK immigration status to confirm their right to remain.

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was the mechanism through which EU, EEA and Swiss nationals already in the UK before 1 January 2021 could formalise their status. Those who applied and were granted status hold either pre-settled status (for those with less than five years' continuous residence at the time of application) or settled status (for those with five or more years). Both are confirmed digitally via the Home Office — there is no physical document, only a share code generated online.

Settled status is the stronger position and is broadly equivalent to ILR for mortgage purposes. Most lenders, including mainstream ones, will accept settled status as confirmation of an indefinite right to remain, opening up the full lender panel. See our guide on mortgages with settled status.

Pre-settled status is a time-limited status, expiring five years after it was granted. Most mainstream lenders will not accept pre-settled applications; specialist lenders will, subject to specific requirements. See our guide on mortgages with pre-settled status.

Irish citizens are in a distinct position. Under the Common Travel Area, which predates both EU membership and Brexit, Irish nationals have the right to live and work in the UK independently of the EU Settlement Scheme. Most lenders treat Irish nationals in the same way as British nationals, without requiring EUSS documentation.

EEA nationals (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Swiss nationals were also eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme under separate bilateral agreements. Those who have applied and hold pre-settled or settled status are assessed by lenders in exactly the same way as EU nationals.

Those who did not apply to the EUSS before the deadline (30 June 2021 for most) are in a significantly more difficult position. Late applications are accepted in limited circumstances — generally where there was a reasonable reason for missing the deadline — and the Home Office does consider these on a case-by-case basis. For those who did not apply and do not have another UK immigration status, the options are very limited. Speaking to an immigration adviser in parallel with a mortgage adviser is likely necessary if this applies to you.

If your income is paid in euros or another EU currency, see also our guide on mortgages with foreign currency income — currency denomination is a separate consideration from immigration status.