UK Property Refinance for an Italian National Living in Switzerland
Featured Snippet: Articus Finance successfully arranged a UK property refinance for an Italian national living in Switzerland, securing a £520k mortgage on a Central London property at 61% LTV, despite overseas residency and lender restrictions.
Introduction
Securing a UK property refinance for an Italian national living in Switzerland can present several hurdles, particularly when residency status or overseas relocation complicates lending criteria. This case study demonstrates how Articus Finance arranged a £520,000 facility on an £850,000 Central London property, ensuring the client maintained access to competitive finance despite their move abroad.
Client Background
The client, an Italian national, had recently relocated to Switzerland with their family for work. Instead of selling their London property, they opted to hold the residence as a rental investment, generating a stable income stream during their overseas posting. Their objectives were clear:
- Refinance a Central London flat valued at £850,000.
- Secure a new loan of £520,000, equivalent to 61% LTV.
- Benefit from the most competitive product available to overseas residents.
- Ensure surplus monthly income from rental yield after financing costs.
However, their incumbent lender declined to extend the loan, citing changes in residency. With interest rates rising, arranging a suitable refinance quickly became a time-sensitive priority.
The Challenge
This case combined several issues commonly faced by internationally mobile professionals:
- Overseas residency – many UK lenders only provide products to UK residents.
- Residency-driven risk aversion – some lenders refuse to refinance international clients regardless of asset or affordability strength.
- Time pressure – the client’s fixed rate product was ending, creating urgency amid increasing rates.
- Complexity of overseas earnings – lenders often scrutinise foreign income streams more heavily.
These restrictions excluded most high street lenders, necessitating a specialist approach with niche institutions comfortable with overseas borrowers.
Our Solution
Articus Finance’s extensive lender panel includes banks and institutions that cater specifically to expatriates and foreign nationals. For this client, we:
- Identified a competitive lender willing to support refinancing for Swiss-based borrowers.
- Negotiated a five-year fixed rate facility to provide stability and hedge against interest rate volatility.
- Structured the loan at 61% LTV (£520,000), ensuring adequate leverage while maintaining affordability.
- Created a streamlined application process to accelerate approvals and avoid rate increases during market volatility.
This arrangement not only resolved the client’s immediate refinance need but also guaranteed monthly surplus from rental income, aligning with their wealth-building objectives.
Key Highlights
- Property: Central London flat valued at £850,000.
- Refinance: £520,000 loan secured at 61% LTV.
- Lender selected specifically for openness to overseas residency cases.
- Five-year fixed rate product secured during a rising interest rate cycle.
- Result: Stable financing, surplus rental income, and a seamless refinancing journey.
Why Articus Finance Delivered
Arranging a UK property refinance for an Italian national living in Switzerland requires experience, relationships, and discretion. Articus Finance’s independence as a whole-of-market broker provided access far beyond the constraints of mainstream lenders. By packaging the client’s case effectively and negotiating with lenders accustomed to handling international borrowers, we secured the right refinancing solution quickly, safeguarding both affordability and investment returns.
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- Residential Mortgage for a Recently Arrived French National
- Financial Conduct Authority – FCA
Final Thoughts
This case study highlights how a UK property refinance for an Italian national living in Switzerland can be structured quickly and effectively despite limited lender appetite. Articus Finance’s access to the entire market and its international lending network ensures expatriates and foreign nationals continue to secure competitive refinancing terms on their UK property assets.