Can a non-EU citizen get a mortgage in Germany?

Short answer: Yes—a non-EU citizen can get a mortgage in Germany if they show stable income, at least 20 % equity and pass the bank’s credit check.

Non-EU citizen mortgage in Germany: German lenders assess you on three pillars:

• Residence & employment status. A Blue Card, work visa or permanent contract in Germany is ideal, but many banks also lend to non-residents if you hold a strong overseas salary and grant power of attorney for signing.
• Equity & ancillary costs. Plan on 20 % down-payment plus 10 %–12 % closing costs (tax, notary, registry). Our mortgage calculator shows the exact cash you need.
• Creditworthiness. German banks pull a SCHUFA or international credit report and prefer a debt-to-income ratio below 35 %. We translate payslips, foreign tax returns and bank statements into lender-friendly formats.

Interest rates for expat borrowers match local offers when equity and documentation are solid; typical fixed rates (10 years) start around 3.4 % in 2025. If you need >80 % financing, we approach specialist lenders who accept foreign passports but charge a 0.3 % premium.

At Finance for Expats we pre-screen 700+ banks, highlight those open to non-EU clients, and submit a complete digital file—passport, visa, salary evidence—so underwriting takes days, not weeks. After approval we coordinate the notary appointment and ensure funds arrive on the legal payout date.

Key take-aways:

• Non-EU buyers qualify with 20 % equity, stable income and a clean credit report.
• Blue Card or German employment helps but is not mandatory for every bank.
• Finance for Expats matches you with expat-friendly lenders and handles all paperwork.