Cross-border commuter mortgage: can you finance in Germany on CHF income?
You live in Germany and work in Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or France. Income is often in a foreign currency — and that is a problem for many banks. We know the banks that handle this actively.
What do banks check for a cross-border commuter mortgage in Germany?
Above all the income. If you live in Germany and work in a neighbouring country, the bank checks foreign-currency income, typically Swiss francs, and the foreign employment contract more closely and applies a safety discount. Some institutions treat CHF income more generously, others more cautiously. With early proof and a suitable lender, you usually finance on regular terms.
Living in Germany, paid in CHF: is a cross-border commuter mortgage possible?
Yes — a cross-border commuter mortgage on CHF income is possible because you live in Germany; banks apply a safety discount to the franc income.
- What is the key issue for cross-border commuters? Financed from Germany, not against it. The issue is foreign-currency income (often CHF); we know the banks that handle this actively. Euro commuters from Luxembourg or Austria are the simplest cases. Foreign-currency income and the banks that accept it.
- What is special about Swiss commuters? It is the largest commuter market with an established pool of banks. Some lenders do not accept foreign-currency income — others do, and each applies its own safety margin to it. Bank selection matters most. Foreign-currency income and the banks that accept it.
- 650+ Banks compared; §34i Licensed adviser; 2016 Experience since; 89 Published case reports.
Common cross-border commuter profiles
Common profiles are commuters from Germany to Zurich and Basel, Luxembourg, Austria, the Netherlands and France. The CHF case is the largest cross-border market, while the others run in EUR.
- Konstanz · Lörrach · Singen ↔ Zurich · Basel (DE → CH): The largest cross-border market. CHF income, an established pool of banks.
- Saarland · Trier ↔ Luxembourg (DE → LU): EUR — no currency issue. The simplest case. LU incomes are often high, which means very good terms.
- Bavaria · Vorarlberg border ↔ Austria (DE → AT): EUR, established. The Hochrhein–Vorarlberg commuter case is also well served.
- Aachen · Lower Rhine ↔ Netherlands (DE → NL): EUR, straightforward. A Dutch employer with a German residence — many banks underwrite that.
- Baden ↔ France (DE → FR): EUR, a small but active market. Saarland ↔ Lorraine also works.
Requirements for the application
You need stable employment with a foreign employer for at least 12 months, payslips, a tax assessment in line with the double-taxation treaty, SCHUFA from the German residence and own funds covering purchase costs of 8–15 %.
Stable employment with a foreign employer — at least 12 months, ideally longer; Payslips in the original language + EN/DE translation where needed; Tax assessment in line with the double-taxation treaty — typically taxation in Germany as the country of residence (CH commuters) or foreign payroll tax (LU commuters); SCHUFA from the German residence — should be in place; Equity similar to a standard mortgage: purchase costs of 8–15 % covered by your own funds, no further equity strictly required.
What often makes commuters cheaper to finance
Cross-border commuters are not a classic foreign case — you are resident in Germany, only your job is abroad. That makes it simpler than for Germans living abroad:
SCHUFA + German credit history fully in place; KfW funding applies without restriction (resident-taxpayer status); The pool of banks is much larger than for non-residents; The notary appointment in Germany is easy.
Swiss commuters: what is special
For Swiss commuters, CHF income is converted with a discount of 10–50 %, a German tax assessment is still produced alongside the withholding-tax advance payment, and the notary is in Germany.
CHF income is converted, with a discount of 10–50 %, depending on currency and type of income; Withholding-tax advance payment via payroll — a German tax assessment is still produced; The 4.5 % rule on a move across the border — relevant for assessment questions; Notary in Germany — no dealings with Swiss notaries.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents do banks require for a cross-border commuter mortgage?
Banks ask for stable employment with a foreign employer for at least 12 months, payslips in the original language with an EN/DE translation where needed, a tax assessment in line with the double-taxation treaty and SCHUFA from the German residence.
How much equity does a cross-border commuter need for a mortgage in Germany?
Equity is similar to a standard mortgage: purchase costs of 8–15 % are covered by your own funds, and no further equity is strictly required.
How do banks convert CHF income for a cross-border commuter mortgage?
CHF income is converted with a discount of 10–50 %, depending on currency and type of income.
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Related pages
Property financing for expats, Germans abroad & cross-border workers
International mortgage broker under § 34i GewO: German property finance for expats, Germans abroad and cross-border workers, in four languages.
Buy a house in Germany while living abroad
Buy a house in Germany while living abroad: which banks lend to non-residents, how much equity is needed and what documents are required.
Buying German property from Switzerland — residence and cross-border work
Buying German property from Switzerland: CHF income counted with a 10–50 % discount, 60–100 % loan-to-value and banks that accept a Swiss residence.
Editorially responsible: Olga Nikushkina — owner, §34i GewO (German mortgage brokerage), adviser register D-W-132-ZUCB-95. Specialised in German property financing with an international dimension: non-residents, foreign-currency income, cross-border workers, expats. Siegfried Perini is entered in the German intermediary register under this licence as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice (§ 11a GewO), active in real estate since 1992. Not legal or tax advice.