Overseas mortgage FAQs

Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, the UAE, Australia and New Zealand.

Yes — Global Property Mortgages is a brand of Citadel Mortgages, a fully licensed Canadian mortgage brokerage.

Initial consultation is free. In most countries the lender pays our placement fee; where it doesn't, we agree the fee in writing upfront.

Most loans are denominated in local currency (EUR / AED / AUD / NZD). USD-denominated facilities are available in the UAE and select private-banking arrangements in Europe.

Yes. A small group of Italian banks and pan-European lenders finance non-resident North American buyers, typically up to 50–60% LTV for euro-denominated mortgages on residential property.

Rates are tied to the ECB / Euribor plus a margin. Non-resident rates generally fall between roughly 4% and 6% depending on profile, term and whether the rate is fixed or variable. Always confirm current rates with us before budgeting.

Yes. You will need an Italian current account to receive funds, pay the notary, and handle direct debits for your mortgage payments and utilities.

Yes. Several Spanish banks have dedicated non-resident mortgage products for Canadian and American buyers, typically up to 70% LTV with euro-denominated rates.

The Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) is Spain's foreigner ID number. Every non-resident buyer needs one to sign the deed and to open a Spanish bank account.

Spanish non-resident mortgages are typically priced as Euribor + roughly 1.0%–2.5%. Fixed-rate options are widely available for 15–25 years.

Yes. Several Portuguese banks lend to non-resident North American buyers up to 70% LTV with euro-denominated mortgages.

Portugal removed real-estate investment from the Golden Visa programme in 2023. You can still buy property — it just doesn't grant residency on its own. We can connect you to specialist immigration counsel.

Typically Euribor + roughly 1.0%–2.5%. Fixed-rate options run 15–30 years; mixed (fixed-then-variable) products are common.

Yes. Several French retail and private banks lend to qualified North American non-residents, typically 50–80% LTV depending on relationship and assets.

It is the formal mortgage offer the bank must send by post. French law requires a mandatory 11-day reflection period before you can accept it.

Most non-residents choose long-term fixed rates (15–25 years). France is one of the few markets where multi-decade fixed mortgages are standard.

Yes — several Greek banks lend to non-resident Canadian and American buyers up to 60% LTV on residential property.

A 5-year renewable residency permit tied to a qualifying real estate investment. Thresholds were raised in 2024 and now range from €250,000 to €800,000+ depending on region.

Non-resident rates are generally Euribor + roughly 2.0% to 3.5%. Both fixed and variable options are offered.

Yes — UAE banks have well-developed non-resident mortgage products, particularly for freehold property in Dubai.

Non-resident rates currently range from roughly 4.5% to 6.5% depending on bank, term and fixed-vs-variable structure.

Yes — several UAE banks offer USD-denominated mortgages, which removes AED/USD currency exposure (AED is pegged to USD but USD facilities further reduce friction).

Yes — but only with FIRB approval, and generally only for new dwellings, off-the-plan apartments, or vacant land for development. Established second-hand homes are typically off-limits to non-residents.

The Foreign Investment Review Board reviews foreign property purchases. Fees scale with price — expect AUD 14,000+ for a typical residential purchase. Fees were tripled in 2024 for established homes.

Most states add a foreign-purchaser surcharge of 7–8% on top of regular stamp duty. NSW, Victoria and Queensland all apply this.

Generally only with consent from the Overseas Investment Office (OIO), or for specific new-build categories. The 2018 Overseas Investment Amendment Act restricted existing residential purchases by non-residents.

The Overseas Investment Office reviews qualifying foreign purchases. The process can take 60–90+ days and adds legal and application costs.

Yes — purchases in qualifying new developments (often apartments in larger projects) can be made under OIO 'increased housing' tests with simplified consent.

Yes. Foreigners can own property anywhere in Mexico. Outside the Restricted Zone (50 km from any coast, 100 km from any border), ownership is direct in fee simple. Inside the Restricted Zone, ownership is held through a fideicomiso — a 50-year renewable bank trust in which the foreigner is the sole beneficiary with full rights to use, rent, mortgage, sell and bequeath the property.

A fideicomiso is a bank trust required for foreign ownership of property in Mexico's Restricted Zone. Set-up runs roughly USD $1,500–$2,500 with annual maintenance fees of USD $500–$800. The trust is renewable indefinitely in 50-year increments and is fully bankable as mortgage collateral by our cross-border lender network.

We maintain separate cross-border channels for Canadian and U.S. buyers. Canadians apply through Upscore (our official Canadian platform); Americans apply through Moxi at partners.moxi.global/simply_approved, our U.S. cross-border partner specialised in USD-denominated Mexico mortgages. Both feed the same lender network.