Checklist · non-resident · 2026

Mortgage requirements for non-residents

Documents, creditworthiness, proof of income — the full checklist for buyers in Spain and Portugal. Plus: the typical process from first enquiry to the notary appointment.

Legal notice

Author & regulatory separation. Content author: Siegfried Perini. Mortgage brokerage in Spain and Portugal is carried out under the §34i permit of Olga Nikushkina (BAFA-notified). This information does not replace legal or tax advice.

Checklist · employees

Document checklist for employees

For non-residents, Spanish and Portuguese banks usually require the following documents — at most banks now with a certified translation:

  • Passport or national ID card (valid, copied on both sides)
  • NIE number (Spain) or NIF (Portugal) — mandatory before the mortgage application
  • The last 2–3 payslips
  • Most recent income tax assessment
  • Bank statements for the last 3–6 months
  • Permanent employment contract or confirmation of employment
  • Proof of equity (bank statement, securities overview, sale proceeds if applicable)
  • Purchase contract or pre-contract (Arras / CPCV)
  • Tasación / Avaliação (bank valuation) — usually arranged by the bank
Checklist · self-employed

What the self-employed need in addition

The self-employed face higher hurdles in the credit assessment. Banks require:

  • Last 2–3 annual financial statements / business analyses
  • Last 2–3 income tax assessments
  • Current business analysis (no older than 3 months)
  • Proof of business registration / professional licence
  • Credit report
  • Higher equity (often at least 40 % instead of 30 %)

Rule of thumb: the self-employed typically pay 0.2–0.5 % higher interest and must expect a lower LTV (60 % instead of 70 %) — even with very good creditworthiness.

Self-disclosure

Self-disclosure form to fill in

So that I can quickly compare your situation with the banks, please fill in our bilingual self-disclosure form (DE/EN, printable). It summarises personal data, tax status (incl. NIE/NIF), income, expenses and available equity — the basis of every bank enquiry.

📄 Download the self-disclosure form (PDF)

Free and without obligation · no tax or legal advice · data processed only to prepare your enquiry (see privacy).

The 35 % rule

How high can the monthly payment be at most?

For non-residents, Spanish and Portuguese banks usually apply the 35 % rule: together with other obligations (consumer loans, rent commitments in your home country), the monthly mortgage payment may not exceed 35 % of available net income.

Example

The 35 % rule applied

  • Monthly net income€5,000
  • Other monthly obligations€500 (consumer loan)
  • 35 % limit€1,750
  • Maximum new mortgage payment€1,250
  • At 3.2 %, 20 yrs → financeable amount~€225,000

Simplified calculation. Actual assessment is made individually by the bank.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which documents do I need for a mortgage in Spain as a non-resident?
ID card or passport, NIE number, last 2–3 payslips, income tax assessment, 3–6 months of bank statements, employment contract, proof of equity and purchase contract. The self-employed additionally need financial statements and business analyses.
What is the 35 % rule?
For non-residents, Spanish and Portuguese banks usually apply the 35 % rule: the monthly mortgage payment plus all other monthly obligations (consumer loans, rent) may not exceed 35 % of net income.
How much equity do I need at minimum?
At 70 % LTV in Spain: 30 % equity plus 11–13 % purchase costs = approx. 41–43 % of the purchase price. At 80 % in Portugal: 20 % equity plus 7–10 % costs = 27–30 %. Strong creditworthiness can lower this slightly.
Can I use my German property as equity?
Yes, through a second-charge loan in Germany. If you own a property in Germany (even with an existing first loan), it can be mortgaged up to 80 %. The capital raised serves as equity for the Spain/Portugal purchase.
How long does a mortgage approval take?
With complete documents and simple constellations, 2–6 weeks in Spain, 4–8 weeks in Portugal. For more complex cases (self-employed, multiple income sources, premium properties), longer.

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