List of overseas loan brokers and where to verify them

How to read a list of overseas brokers

No single broker covers every country. Most firms specialise in one lending market, such as Spanish or Swiss mortgages, and some also help clients living abroad. A list is therefore a starting point for research, not an endorsement of any particular intermediary.

Names below belong to established, regulated businesses known in their markets. Their acceptance criteria, panels of lenders and fees change regularly, and none can promise approval. Every firm should be checked on the relevant register immediately before sharing personal documents or signing a mandate.

Why brokers are mostly mortgage specialists

Lenders are more willing to finance foreigners when a property secures the loan. Brokers follow the lenders, so the international broker market centres on mortgages, buy-to-let finance and bridging loans, while unsecured personal loans for non-residents are rarely arranged through intermediaries.

National registers make checks possible

In regulated markets, credit intermediaries must register with a supervisor or a designated body. The register gives the legal name, address, permissions and reference number, which allows borrowers to distinguish genuine firms from imitators using similar names, logos and websites.

Online platforms versus advisers

Some brokers are mainly online comparison platforms with advisers available by phone, while others are boutique firms with a handful of specialists. Platforms suit straightforward cases, whereas complex profiles involving foreign income or company ownership often benefit from a dedicated adviser.

Who should use the brokers on this list

The list is aimed at buyers of property abroad, expatriates financing a home in their country of residence, and returning nationals who need a mortgage before re-establishing local credit. Investors seeking buy-to-let finance in the United Kingdom also feature heavily among clients.

Borrowers seeking small unsecured loans, or those with serious arrears, will find little help here. For them, independent debt advice in the country of residence is more useful than a broker, because no regulated intermediary can overcome a lender's credit policy.

Selected brokers by country

The table names established brokers in major markets with the register that confirms their status. It is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and inclusion does not imply a recommendation, since fees, lender panels and service to non-residents can differ significantly from firm to firm.

What these brokers charge

Pricing models differ by country. French and Spanish brokers often charge the borrower a fee on completion, German platforms are frequently paid by the lender, and UK brokers may combine a lender procuration fee with a client fee disclosed in advance.

The cost of the loan itself depends on the lender, the deposit and the borrower's income. Non-resident cases usually involve larger deposits and slightly higher margins, and brokers can only negotiate within each bank's published criteria rather than override them.

What to send a broker

A complete file speeds up any search: passport, proof of address, income evidence for two or three years, bank statements, details of existing debts, the property listing or reservation contract, and a credit report from the country where you currently live.

Checking a broker step by step

Verifying a firm takes less than an hour and is the most effective protection against loan fraud. The following steps apply to every broker on this list and to any other intermediary encountered through advertising, social media or a recommendation from an estate agent.

1. Find the firm on the national register and note its reference number.
2. Compare the website, email domain and phone number with the register entry.
3. Request the terms of business, including fees and lender panel, in writing.
4. Ask whether the firm accepts clients resident in your country.
5. Check reviews and complaint records with the national ombudsman.
6. Pay no money until a lender has issued a formal offer.

Registers to know

The UK uses the FCA Financial Services Register, France the ORIAS register, Spain the Banco de España register, the Netherlands the AFM register and the United States the NMLS system with state regulators. Liechtenstein's FMA and Switzerland's FINMA publish their own lists of licensed institutions.

Mistakes and warning signs

The broker names in this list are regularly copied by fraudsters, who build look-alike websites and contact borrowers with persuasive offers. Recognising the signs below protects both your money and your identity documents, which can otherwise be used to open accounts or loans.

• A broker charging a file fee or insurance premium before any offer, the defining trait of advance-fee loan fraud.
• A firm whose contact details differ from those on the register.
• Promises of loans for anyone, regardless of income, credit or residence.
• Requests to pay into a personal account or with cryptocurrency.
• Brokers that refuse to provide terms of business in writing.

When a broker is not needed

If a single bank dominates non-resident lending in a market, approaching it directly may be faster and cheaper. International banks with expat units also arrange mortgages for existing clients without an intermediary, so a broker adds most value where options are numerous.

Frequently asked questions

Borrowers using this list often ask how to choose between brokers, whether foreign firms can legally serve them and what to do when something goes wrong. The answers below provide general guidance applicable to most regulated markets covered in the table.

Are all brokers on this list authorised?

They are established regulated businesses in their home markets, but authorisations can change and fraudsters clone genuine names. The only reliable check is the official register, consulted immediately before you engage the firm and again before signing.

Can a broker abroad serve someone living elsewhere?

Often yes, especially for property located in the broker's country. Some firms accept only residents, however, and EU passporting rules determine whether an intermediary may operate across borders. Ask the broker to confirm in writing that it can serve you.

Is a broker fee refundable if the loan fails?

It depends on the terms of business. Many firms charge only on completion, while some charge partly at application. Fees demanded before any lender offer, and described as guarantees or unlocking charges, should be treated as a clear fraud signal.

How do I complain about an overseas broker?

Start with the broker's own complaints procedure, then escalate to the ombudsman or regulator in the broker's country. For cross-border disputes within Europe, the FIN-NET network directs consumers to the competent out-of-court scheme, often in the broker's language.

By Nabil Frik · Updated 13 October 2026