Santander UK expands foreign national mortgage policy, with lending up to 90% LTV
26 June 2026
Santander UK has announced enhancements to its foreign national lending policy, increasing the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) on all properties including new builds, to 90% for eligible applicants without permanent rights to reside in the UK. Previously, borrowing for applicants who did not have permanent rights to remain in the UK was limited to 75% LTV.
Lending to applicants under the new rules remains subject to broader affordability checks, as well as specific income requirements depending on the length of residency in the UK:
- where the applicant(s) have a UK residency of one year or more, a minimum income of £50,000 (for a single applicant), and £75,000 (for joint applicants) is required; and
- where the applicant(s) have a UK residency of less than one year a minimum income of £200,000 (single or joint) is required.
Customers without permanent rights to reside in the UK, looking to borrow between 75%-90% LTV, will be asked to provide:
- three months’ UK bank statements showing salary credits;
- evidence of deposit source;
- (where income is below £200,000) verification of time living in the UK
Speaking about the updated policy, Felicity Barnett, New Build & Affordable Housing Partnerships Manager, Mortgage Advice Bureau said:
“It’s encouraging to see Santander expand to 90% LTV for eligible foreign national buyers. The changes strike a strong balance between robust checks and improved access to higher borrowing for eligible customers. It also marks a meaningful step for the new build sector and serves as further demonstration of Santander’s commitment to this area.”
There is no change for applicants with: permanent rights to reside in the UK; applications at or below 75% LTV; foreign nationals with diplomatic immunity or; buy-to-let applications. The policy also remains unchanged for customers with pre-settled status, settled status or indefinite leave to remain applying above 75% LTV.
