5 Santander alternatives: which Spanish mortgage is best for you?

Santander is the largest bank in Spain, offering various mortgage options for non-residents looking to buy a second home in Spain. 

The Mundo Mortgage is a popular choice for non-residents, providing flexibility with fixed and variable rate options, with terms of up to 20 years.

However, Santander may not be the right option for everyone.

If you’re not keen on a Santander mortgage for non-residents, this guide is for you. We’ll delve into top alternatives to Santander, exploring options from banks such as Sabadell, BBVA, Caixa, Bankinter, or Unicaja. 

Sabadell mortgages for non-residents

Sabadell mortgage stands out for its competitive rates and attractive terms, making it an excellent choice for non-residents looking to purchase property in Spain.

Clients have the flexibility to select a repayment period that aligns with their financial situation, with options spanning from 3 to 30 years.

Sabadell doesn't request a minimum threshold for the property, but they prefer the value to be higher than 70,000 EUR.

Sabadell mortgages: Pros & cons

Pros

• the application process is easy and user-friendly (documents in English, French, and German are accepted without the need for translation)
• non-residents who receive their salary in EUR, GBP, USD, CAD, CHF, DKK, NOK, SEK, PLN, AED, QAR, SAR, ILS, and MXN are eligible for a mortgage
• offers both fixed and variable options

Cons

• application results can vary from branch to branch, as each operates to its own specific regulations

BBVA mortgages for non-residents

BBVA presents a mix of fixed and variable-rate mortgages with tenures extending up to a comfortable 30 years. These longer repayment periods allow for smaller monthly payments, making it easier for borrowers to handle their finances.

The variable-rate mortgage offered by BBVA offers a starting rate of 1.89% nominal interest rate for the first year, followed by Euribor + 1.50% for the remaining years. This rate may vary according to market conditions and the specific financial situation of the borrower.

BBVA stands out as an excellent choice for non-residents earning income in Euros. 

BBVA mortgages: Pros & cons

Pros

• an impressive loan amount ranging from 100.000 EUR to 2.000.000 EUR
• no notary, management, or registration fees

Cons

• only serves EUR-earners, excluding applicants earning income in, for instance, GBP or USD
• the indebtedness must not exceed 35%

If you're curious about how BBVA stacks up against Sabadell, one of the most competitive Spanish banks on the market, explore our comparison between the two lenders.

Homevest assists non-residents in securing mortgages in Spain while residing abroad

Homevest is a digital service designed to streamline the mortgage application process for non-residents looking to purchase property in Spain.

Whether you’re in the UK, Germany, Sweden, or the United States, you can apply for a Spanish mortgage and start receiving multiple offers to secure the best terms. If you’ve already found your ideal property, the process speeds up as your case manager helps build your application and submits it to the best-suited banks.

Having a mortgage broker on your side ensures that your interests are represented, and you receive guidance in comparing the best options for your needs.

Ready to start your mortgage process?

Caixa mortgages for non-residents 

Caixa Bank is a Spanish bank that enables non-residents to apply for a mortgage online.

The Holabank mortgage is tailored for non-residents, providing them with opportunities to invest in the Spanish real estate market. 

For instance, you can choose a fixed rate if you receive your income in euros. Suppose your income is in GBP, USD, CAD, CHF, NOK, SEK, or DKK. In that case, you can choose between a fixed rate in your currency or a variable rate convertible to your currency. 

Caixa mortgages: Pros & cons

Pros

• accepts a wide range of currencies, including EUR, GBP, USD, CAD, CHF, DKK, NOK, SEK, BGN, HUF, and PLN
• the bank accepts documents in your language without having to translate them
• mortgages have a loan amount range between 100.000 EUR and 2.900.000 EUR

Cons

• during the affordability evaluation, just 50% of rental income is taken into account

If a CaixaBank mortgage aligns with your goals, continue reading to discover the step-by-step process to secure one, along with essential insights to guide your decision-making.

Bankinter mortgages for non-residents 

Bankinter offers a range of tailored mortgage solutions for non-resident foreigners seeking banking services in Spain, including individuals from the US and UAE. 

The bank provides fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages designed to suit your unique circumstances, regardless of your residency status. 

Bankinter mortgages: Pros & cons

Pros

• translations not needed for documents in German, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English
• no notary, registration, and stump duty fees
• full remote banking that can remain close at hand when you are not in Spain
• applicants must have a monthly income of at least 2.500 EUR to access a variable-rate mortgage

Cons

• the fixed-rate mortgage is only available to borrowers whose income or assets for the repayment of the loan are in euros, or who reside in a country of the European Union whose national currency is the euro
• the mortgage offerings may not be the most competitive in the market for certain loan types, particularly for individuals seeking longer-term mortgages

Unicaja mortgages for non-residents 

If you’re interested in a bank whose online application process for a non-resident mortgage is available, Unicaja is an option to consider.

Unicaja offers excellent mixed interest rate options, which provide the stability of fixed payments during the initial repayment period and then transition to a variable interest rate for the remaining term.

Unicaja mortgages: Pros & cons

Pros

• flexible Spanish mortgages with a wide offering for non-residents
• your mortgage will be approved online, and you will only have to read and sign the legal documents electronically
• 5% discount at IKEA and free decoration project with your mortgage

Cons

• fixed-rate options may not offer the most competitive rates in the market, particularly for individuals seeking longer-term mortgages
• a potential opening fee of up to 0.15%, which can increase the cost of securing a mortgage

Bottom line

While Santander is open to applicants of various nationalities, including those from the EU, the United States, and UK expats, it may not be the right option for everyone. The good news is that there are a few strong Santander alternatives for you to consider. 

Determining the best Santander alternative depends on your personal and financial situation. Each of the banks we have listed here has strengths and weaknesses. Analyzing and deciding which option is most advantageous for you is crucial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Spanish mortgage for non-residents?

The best Spanish mortgage for non-residents depends on factors beyond the interest rate.

When comparing mortgage options, consider key aspects such as interest rates, loan terms (fixed or variable), loan-to-value ratio (LTV), lender fees, and the potential impact of currency exchange rates on repayments. 

Eligibility criteria vary among lenders, focusing on income stability, employment consistency, credit score, residency status, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and down payment capacity. 

Providing the required documentation, such as proof of income, and necessary paperwork, will improve your chances of securing the most suitable Spanish mortgage for non-residents. 

Sources used and checked:

1. Sabadell Mortgages for non-residents
2. BBVA Fixed Mortgages for non-residents
3. BBVA Variable rate mortgages for non-residents
4. Holbank guide for non-residents
5. Holabank Mortgages for non-residents
6. Bankinter Mortgages for non-residents
7. Bankinter Variable rate mortgages for non-residents
8. Unicaja Mortgages for non-residents

We recommend obtaining professional or specialist advice before taking or refraining from any action based on the content in this article. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Homevest Limited. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties, or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is accurate, complete, or up to date.