Self-check · 1 minute

Mortgage readiness check — how realistic is your financing?

5 questions on income, equity, debt-to-income ratio, age and paperwork status. At the end: a rough read — green, amber or red — for Spain and Portugal separately.

In short

Can I check how ready I am for a mortgage?

Yes. Five questions on income, equity, debt-to-income ratio, age and paperwork give a rough green, amber or red read for Spain and Portugal separately, in about a minute — not a bank review or a financing commitment.

What do the colours mean?

Green: the profile fits the standard non-resident pattern. Amber: financeable through a narrower, targeted pool of banks. Red: the standard route usually doesn't fit, but a specialised structure — such as a second-charge mortgage on a German property — often still works.

What decides the result?

Type of income, equity ratio, the 35 % debt-to-income rule, age at end of term (loans normally repaid by 75, the younger borrower's age counting) and paperwork status (NIE in Spain, NIF in Portugal). Spain lends non-residents up to 70 %, Portugal up to 80 %.

Getting your NIE →

Mortgage readiness check

Your situation in 5 questions

Each answer counts points. At the end: a rough traffic light — not a bank review, not a financing commitment.

Your assessment
Traffic light
Points out of 15

A rough self-assessment, not a bank review and not a financing commitment. Actual feasibility depends on the bank's full review — including the property (e.g. a finca on rústico land: only 50–70% loan-to-value), creditworthiness in detail, and current terms.

Free checklist

Keep this result — and the matching checklist

The check gives you a read. For the bank meeting, the right paperwork counts. We'll send you the PDF checklist for Spain, Portugal or both — free, no sales pressure.

Request the checklist

For which country?
Checklist language

Free · 30 seconds · no sales pressure

Open the PDF directly — no form: Spain property purchase checklist — mortgage documents (PDF, 2 pages) · Portugal mortgage checklist — documents for non-residents (PDF, 2 pages)

Keep going

More resources

Calculator

Mortgage calculator

Monthly instalment, total cost and equity requirement for your exact figures.

Checklist

Requirements in detail

All documents for employed and self-employed applicants, plus the 35% rule worked through.

Special case

Age limit for a mortgage

Why a no often turns into a yes once a younger co-signer joins.

What's behind the check

Five questions, one rough compass

The check doesn't replace a bank review — it shows which of the five levers is most likely holding things back. At amber or red, it's rarely the whole constellation that's the problem, but usually one single factor: often the debt-to-income ratio, because many non-residents underestimate their existing German obligations at first glance. Green means: the constellation fits the standard pattern. Amber means: financeable, with a narrower, targeted pool of banks. Red means: the standard route finds no lender, but that is not the end of the purchase — usually it needs a specialised structure, such as a second-charge mortgage on a German property as additional equity.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does red mean financing isn't possible?
No. Red means the standard route for non-residents usually doesn't fit — not that no bank will finance it. Especially for self-employed applicants, a high debt-to-income ratio, or higher age, there are special structures, such as a second-charge mortgage on an existing German property. The check shows which lever to work on first.
Why do Spain and Portugal give different results?
Because the usual loan-to-value cap differs — typically up to 70% in Spain and up to 80% in Portugal for non-residents. With the same equity ratio, the same amount therefore stretches further in Portugal.
Why does the debt-to-income ratio carry so much weight?
Because Spanish and Portuguese banks usually apply the 35% rule for non-residents: the new instalment plus all existing obligations must not exceed 35% of net income. German loans or lease instalments count too — often overlooked.
What if I'm self-employed and land in the red on several questions?
Then a personal conversation is especially worthwhile. Self-employed applicants already face higher hurdles (often 60% instead of 70% loan-to-value in Spain, a higher rate) — several weak factors together rarely balance out through a single lever.