Australian Mortgages for Aussie Expats in Bahrain
The Odin Mortgage team specialises in Australian expat mortgages for Aussie expats in Bahrain.
- Australian Expat Mortgages & Home Loans for Bahrain and Overseas
- Quick Online Application Process
- No-fee Service & No Obligation To Proceed
Australian Expat Mortgage in Bahrain
Here is everything you need to know about expats in Bahrain finding Australian home loans.
Variable, Fixed, or Interest-Only
Any Australians living in Bahrain can purchase property with a fixed, variable, or interest-only home loan. Moreover, you can also apply for guarantor loans to increase your borrowing power to 105%.
Australian expats can enjoy the same home loan options as Aussies living in Oz. Speak to a mortgage broker to discuss your expat home loan options.
Loan Size and Term
There is no maximum home loan size for Aussie expats in Bahrain. Australians can typically borrow up to 90 - 95%, depending on the lender. To avoid paying LMI, it’s better to borrow around 80% or lower.
The maximum loan term for any Australian or Bahraini is 30 years.
Home Loan Package: Offsets and Redraw
Australian expats and Bahrainis can negotiate additional home loan features, such as 100% offset accounts and redraw facilities. Ask your mortgage broker to help you negotiate.
How Do Lenders View Bahraini Dinar?
The dinar is a tier 2 currency, meaning that many Australian lenders are wary of your foreign income. Accordingly, they may only assess between 60 - 80% of your net income.
This can significantly impact your borrowing capacity. You may need to speak to a specialist lender in order to get the best home loan deal.
Pros and Cons
Take a look at the pros and cons of home loans for expats in Bahrain.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Bahrain has no income tax regulations, enabling Aussie expats to save bigger deposits. | Some Australian lenders might apply Aussie tax rates to your Bahraini income, reducing your borrowing power. |
Most lenders are willing to offer home loans of up to 90 - 95% LVR to Australian expats living in Bahrain. | The Bahraini dinar is tier 2 currency which means Australian lenders might not consider your entire net income. |
Self-employed Aussie expats in Bahrain can borrow up to 80% LVR. | Lack of tax returns may limit your ability to borrow as high as 90% LVR. |
Self-employed expats in Bahrain might struggle to prove their foreign income, limiting their borrowing capacity. |
Allow us to find you the perfect home loan.
Apply online to get expert recommendations with real interest rates and repayments.
Mortgage Features
Here are the main mortgage features of an Australian expat mortgage when applying from Bahrain:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Deposit Size | Australian expats should save a deposit of around 20%. Bahrainis might need a deposit of around 30%. While lenders will offer home loans of up to 90 - 95% LVR, borrowers will have to pay LMI. |
Borrowing Power | If your lender applies Australian tax rates of up to 45%, this could significantly impact your borrowing power. As Bahrain has no tax rates, try to find a lender who uses Bahraini tax rates. |
Repayment Options | Expats living overseas and buying property in Australia can choose to repay their mortgage on a plan that suits them. They can opt for weekly, monthly, or fortnightly repayments. Bahrainis can also enjoy flexible repayment plans with most lenders. |
Interest Rates | Interest rates should be equally competitive for Aussie expats in Bahrain and citizens in Oz. If you face challenges getting a lower interest rate, consider how you might improve your borrowing power or save up a higher deposit. |
Key Facts
More than half (52.6%) of the Bahraini population are foreign expats.
Bahrain doesn’t charge income tax on any residents or expats.
Australian expats in Bahrain can access fixed or variable-rate home loans.
The Bahraini dinar is a tier 2 currency, meaning that some lenders won’t consider your net foreign income.
Applying for an Australian Expat Mortgage from Bahrain
When applying for an Australian mortgage as a Bahraini or expat in Bahrain, you’ll need to meet the lender’s eligibility criteria.
Eligibility
Make sure you apply with a lender who specialises in home loans for Australians in Bahrain.
- A good credit score or history of making repayments on time.
- Australian citizenship (if you’re an expat).
- 20 – 30% deposit if you’re a Bahraini national.
- Over 18 years of age
Documents required
- Two forms of income verification, such as recent payslips or an employment letter.
- Form of identification, such as a passport, driver’s licence, or birth certificate.
- Details of your expenses, such as other credit liabilities and living costs.
Other Considerations
Double Taxation Agreement
As Bahrain has 0% income taxation rates, there is no need for a tax treaty between them and Australia. They do, however, have a Tax Information Exchange Agreement, allowing the easy transfer of information around other taxes, such as social security.
FIRB Approval
Australians living abroad don’t need to apply to FIRB for approval to purchase property in Australia. Australians with a Bahraini spouse also should not face any restrictions. However, if you’re not an Australian or New Zealand citizen, then you will need to seek approval from FIRB.
Stamp Duty Surcharge
Only Bahrainis, other foreign nationals, or Australians married to a foreign national must pay the stamp duty surcharge. Australian citizens and expats do not need to pay.
We also provide expat mortgage services in the following countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Australian expats living in Bahrain are eligible for the same home loan products as any Aussies living elsewhere. If you’re buying with a Bahraini spouse, you may unfairly be treated as a foreign buyer. Additionally, some lenders might require a Power of Attorney for overseas borrowers.
Lenders tend to judge foreign debts on a case by case basis. Some have a 30% buffer to allow for other credit repayments. However, some lenders might subtract your foreign debts from your income.
Expats in Bahrain will only have to pay Australian tax on Australian sourced income. However, if you plan to move back to Oz, you will become a tax resident and pay Australian tax on your worldwide income.
Even if you’re not an Australian citizen, then you may still qualify for a home loan. It depends whether you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Get in touch with Odin Mortgage for an assessment.
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