FAQs on mortgages for expats

We are one of the largest digital mortgage brokers in Germany.
We are not tied to any bank or financial institution  and our English-speaking team specialises in advising customers from all over the world.
We have developed a quick, easy and transparent way to identify and apply for the best mortgage for you by comparing rates from more than 600 banks and financial institutions.
The combination of our first-class technology and industry-leading financing experts enables us to provide you with the best mortgage deals.

1: Check how much you can afford: First, you answer a few basic questions to give us an idea of what your mortgage needs are – it only takes a few minutes. Our algorithm then compares your data with the requirements of more than 600 partner banks and financial institutions.

2: Tell us more about yourself: German banks require detailed information about the property and about the applicant’s financial situation. This usually takes no more than 40 minutes and can be done at any time of the day. And the best thing is that all the relevant documents are in English!

3: Chat with an expert: Our mortgage experts will guide you through the financing process in Germany, explain the requirements and recommend the most suitable option. You can also call us at any time, send a message via WhatsApp or speak to us via video link.

4: Secure your mortgage: Then you can relax while we negotiate your mortgage with the lender. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way. All free of charge.

Yes, our service is completely free – from start to finish. As an independent broker, we are paid by the bank or financial institution to process your application. This fee amounts to less than a fraction of one percent of your mortgage. Our service is completely transparent – we always tell you the exact amount when you apply.

We have access to more than 600 banks and financial institutions. These include all major German credit institutions, such as Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, but also small regional lenders. We compare each of the possible options to make sure we always secure the very best deal that matches your individual needs.

We are available to answer all your questions between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. You can also send us an email to kundenservice@baufi24.de or call us at any time on 0800 808 4000.

As each case is different, this can vary, but most of our customers receive a recommendation within 24 hours. You can always call us if it’s particularly urgent!

The German mortgage market differs considerably from that of other countries. This ranges from the bank’s or financial institution’s duty of care to the mortgage products themselves.

Careful scrutiny:
German banks don’t only assess the value of your property. Your financial and personal situation is just as important as the valuation of the property. So be prepared to answer some detailed questions about your personal circumstances, your income, your equity and your liabilities. A professional broker such as Baufi24 is very familiar with all of the questions and will help you to arrange everything with little effort.

Mortgage products:
Interest rates are usually fixed for between 5 and 30 years. The most common form of mortgage is an annuity loan. The repayment of your loan is very flexible. Many lenders allow you to change the repayment rate every year, which means you can decide for yourself what percentage of the loan should be repaid. You also have the option of repaying up to five per cent of the loan each year as a special payment.
Again, we will help you assess your financial situation and will recommend the best product types for your individual case.

Many banks and financial institutions require between 20 and 30 per cent equity. However, this is only a guide, and your creditworthiness depends on a number of variables. The property you’d like to purchase, your equity, your employment status and your income are the most important factors. In any case, your income must cover your living expenses and mortgage interest. If you have a very high level of income, for example, the amount of equity you need may be lower. If you want to find out precisely how much you can borrow, simply enter your details into our mortgage calculator.

In order to apply for a mortgage from a credit institution in Germany, you must submit a number of documents that prove your financial and personal situation. The most important documents are

• Proof of your equity
• Your income tax assessments
• Your payslips for the last three months
• Your certificate of income tax deductions
• Annual financial statements (if you are self-employed)
• Documents relating to the property (e.g. the building description and specifications)
• The contract of purchase

The land register secures all rights to the real estate. Every legal right to a property is recorded in the land register. However, this also means that the legal position is only confirmed by an entry in the land register. The chronological entry is decisive here.

Newly built properties are often not yet completed when the contract is finalised. This must be taken into account in the contract and is important in terms of warranty rights. The contract not only represents a purchase contract, but also a contract for the work to be completed. This means that different rules apply. Contracts should be examined closely, with particular attention given to warranty claims and the debtor.

What documents do you need to apply for a mortgage in this case? 
Ideally, you should contact us directly. As with every mortgage enquiry, we examine each mortgage application on an individual basis.