Comparison
Buying property in Germany as an expat? We compare the best English-speaking mortgage brokers and how to get approved with foreign income.
Reviewed 2026-07-21 · By Mahiuddin Al Kamal · 5 options
Getting a mortgage (Baufinanzierung) in Germany as an expat is very doable, but the process rewards shopping around. Rates vary widely between banks, and a broker who compares dozens of lenders will almost always beat walking into your own bank. The catch for expats: some banks are cautious about foreign income, short residency, or non-EU citizenship, so the right broker matters even more.
We compared the providers expats actually use: Hypofriend (English-first, built for expats), Interhyp (Germany's largest broker, best raw reach), and Smava for the smaller personal loans that sometimes bridge a deposit.
We weighted English-language service, size of the lender network (more banks = better odds and rates), and how well each handles expat-specific hurdles like foreign income and visa status. Hypofriend wins for most expats because it combines a 750+ lender comparison with advisors who actually understand a non-German applicant.
Warning: German mortgages typically require a deposit of at least 20% of the purchase price plus closing costs (another ~10%). Start saving and comparing early. Approval with a thin credit history in Germany takes longer.
| Option | Best for | Type | English | Expat focus | Personal loans | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Klein | Local advisor + big panel | Broker | Limited | Medium | No | 4.1 | Visit → |
Large independent mortgage broker with local advisors across Germany and a big lender panel.
| Option | Best for | Type | English | Expat focus | Personal loans | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHECK24 | Broad loan comparison | Marketplace | No | Low | Yes | 4.0 | Visit → |
Germany's biggest comparison site for personal loans and mortgages. Fast, broad, soft-check quotes.
| Option | Best for | Type | English | Expat focus | Personal loans | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypofriend | English-first mortgages | Broker (750+ banks) | 100% | High | No | 4.7 | Visit → |
| Interhyp | Largest lender network | Broker | Limited | Medium | No | 4.4 | Visit → |
| Smava | Personal loan comparison | Loan marketplace | No | Low | Yes | 4.2 | Visit → |
English-speaking mortgage broker built for expats in Germany. Compares 750+ lenders and handles the whole Baufinanzierung process online.
Germany's largest independent mortgage broker. Huge lender network and local advisors in most cities.
Personal loan (Ratenkredit) comparison marketplace. Compares offers from 20+ German banks in one soft-check application.
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