Your path to an overseas mortgage: 5 steps

From your first bank enquiry to key handover — typical timelines, documents and costs at every stage
1
Pre-approval 3–7 days
Submit a basic document package — passport, proof of income, bank statements. The bank assesses your affordability and tells you the maximum loan amount and indicative terms.
📄Passport + local tax ID (NIE in Spain, TIN in Cyprus, Vergi Kimlik in Turkey)
💰Proof of income — payslips, P60/SA302 (UK) or tax returns (2–3 years)
🏦Bank statements — 3–6 months
🇺🇸US citizens: FATCA docs (W-9, IRS transcripts) — add 1–2 weeks
⚡Fastest: CaixaBank (Spain) — online pre-approval in 72 hours
2
Property selection & valuation 1–2 weeks
Find a property within your approved budget. The bank commissions an independent valuation (tasación in Spain). The valuation result — not the asking price — determines the maximum loan.
🏠Property search (with agent, broker or independently)
📋Independent valuation — cost: €250–500 (paid by buyer)
⚠️LTV is calculated on the lower of purchase price or valuation
3
Full document submission 1–2 weeks
Submit the complete package: preliminary purchase agreement, certified and apostilled tax returns, proof of down payment, insurance policies.
📑Preliminary purchase agreement (Contrato de Arras in Spain)
🔖Tax returns — 2–3 years, apostilled + translated
🛡️Property insurance (mandatory) + life insurance (for better rates)
💳Proof of funds for down payment + closing costs
4
Approval & signing 2–4 weeks
The bank issues a binding offer (FEIN in Spain). A mandatory reflection period applies in some countries. Mortgage and purchase contracts are signed simultaneously at the notary.
📝FEIN (European Standardised Information Sheet) — Spain
⏳10-day cooling-off period (14 days in Catalonia)
✍️Notary signing — in person or via power of attorney
🇬🇷Greece: a local lawyer can handle the entire process as your proxy
5
Registration & key handover 1–2 weeks
The mortgage and title are registered with the national property registry. The bank transfers funds to the seller. You're now the owner — with a charge on the property until the mortgage is fully repaid.
🏛️Registry: Registro de la Propiedad / Tapu / DLD / Dept of Land and Survey
💸Government fees + registration charges
🔑Key handover — you're the owner
Standard process
4–8 weeks
EU/UK/US citizens, complete docs
With extra compliance
8–12 weeks
Non-standard nationalities, complex profiles
Fastest pre-approval
72 hours
CaixaBank HolaBank, online
Typical timelines by country (application to key handover)
🇹🇷 Turkey
4–6 wks
🇦🇪 UAE
4–8 wks
🇪🇸 Spain
6–8 wks
🇨🇾 Cyprus
6–10 wks
🇬🇷 Greece
8–12 wks
Browse properties → Get mortgage advice
* Timelines are indicative and depend on country, bank and completeness of documents. US citizens should add 1–2 weeks for FATCA processing. Sources: CaixaBank, ADCB, Ziraat, Central Bank of Cyprus, Alpha Bank, Eurobank.