FCDO & Crown Servants
Mortgages while you
serve abroad
Being posted overseas by the Foreign Office or another government department should not stop you buying property in the UK. We work with lenders who understand Crown Servant income, overseas allowances and the unique circumstances of diplomatic life.
Talk to us
- FCA Regulated
- Overseas postings
- Allowances included
- Consent to let
Buying a UK home while overseas
Many Crown Servants want to own a property in the UK as a base between postings, or as a long-term investment. The challenge is that most high street lenders will not consider applicants who are currently living abroad, even if their employer is the British government.
We work with lenders who understand that a Crown Servant posted to Nairobi or Washington is no riskier than one based in London. They accept your UK salary, your overseas allowances, and the fact that your employer is as secure as it gets.
Who we help
FCDO and diplomatic staff
Whether you are at your first posting or approaching retirement, we arrange UK mortgages for FCDO diplomats stationed anywhere in the world. We understand hardship allowances, cost of living adjustments and overseas salary structures.
Armed forces
Military personnel posted in the UK or abroad, including those using Forces Help to Buy. We know which lenders accept military income, including X-factor payments and deployment allowances.
Other Crown servants
HMRC, Border Force, intelligence services and other government employees posted overseas. If your employer is a Crown body and you are working abroad, we can help.
Consent to let & let to buy
If you already own a home in the UK and want to let it out while you are posted overseas, then buy a second property, this is called Let to Buy. We arrange consent to let on your existing mortgage (or switch it to a BTL deal) and a new residential mortgage for the property you are buying. We handle both sides of the transaction.
Crucially, lenders we work with treat Crown Servants as being in ‘tied employer accommodation’ — meaning you can let your UK property from day one of the mortgage, at residential rates rather than the higher buy-to-let rates.
Allowances we include
Standard mortgage calculators often ignore the allowances that make up a significant portion of FCDO pay. We ensure lenders see your full financial picture.
| Income Type | Lender Consideration | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|
| Basic UK Salary | 100% Recognised | Standard Payslips / P60 |
| CoLA Allowance | Often 100% Recognised | FCDO Payslip |
| Diplomatic Service Allowance | Recognised by Some Lenders | FCDO Payslip |
| Other Crown Allowances | Case-by-Case Basis | Detailed Pay Breakdown |
The tied accommodation advantage
Crown Servants posted overseas are classified as being in ‘tied employer accommodation’ by specialist lenders. This means you are not seen as carrying two sets of housing costs simultaneously — giving you access to residential mortgage rates on a UK property you intend to let during your posting, rather than the higher buy-to-let rates most landlords pay. It is one of the most significant financial advantages available to FCDO staff, and most high street lenders simply do not know it exists.