Process
How overseas mortgages work
The same 5-step process applies across all 9 of our countries — the local rules and documents differ.
This page written and reviewed by the Citadel Mortgages licensed brokerage team.
Licensed Canadian mortgage brokerage — FSRA 12993 (ON), FCAA 509446 (SK) and licensed across 10 provinces & territories.Verify licensing
The five steps look identical on paper everywhere, but the order you do them in is country-specific. We almost always start the local tax ID and (where needed) FIRB/OIO checks in parallel with pre-qualification — sequencing them is the most common reason North American buyers miss a settlement date.
— Citadel Mortgages licensed brokerage team, drawn from live experience placing overseas mortgages for Canadian & American buyers.
1. Pre-qualification
5-minute review of country, target property, income and assets to confirm fit.
2. Lender placement
We shortlist 2–3 international lenders that lend to your nationality, in your country.
3. Full application
We assemble the file (income, credit, ID, local tax number) and submit it to the selected lender.
4. Valuation & offer
Local bank-appointed valuation; formal mortgage offer issued in the local currency.
5. Notary / settlement
Sign in country or via power of attorney through your local lawyer; funds release to the seller.
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Free tool
International Mortgage Calculator
Estimate your overseas mortgage payment, deposit and currency exposure in seconds.
How the international mortgage calculator works
This free calculator estimates the monthly principal-and-interest payment on an overseas mortgage. Enter the property price, your down payment, the interest rate and the amortization period, and it returns your estimated monthly payment, loan amount and total interest over the life of the loan.
It uses the standard amortizing-mortgage formula: M = P × r × (1 + r)ⁿ ÷ ((1 + r)ⁿ − 1), where M is the monthly payment, P is the loan principal, r is the monthly interest rate (annual rate ÷ 12) and n is the number of monthly payments (years × 12).
Worked example: on a €400,000 property with a 35% down payment (€260,000 loan) at a 4.0% annual rate over 25 years, the estimated monthly payment is about €1,372, with roughly €151,700 of total interest over the full term.
Results are indicative only and depend on the lender, currency and final approved rate. Most overseas mortgages for non-resident Canadian and American buyers require a 30–40% down payment.
More markets
Other countries we cover
Compare overseas mortgage programs across every country in our international lender network.
Ready to finance your overseas property?
Free, no-obligation review. Our specialists will match you with the right international lender for your country and profile.
