Property financing for cross-border commuters
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. I know the banks that handle this actively.
Can I get a German mortgage as a cross-border commuter?
Yes — as a cross-border commuter who lives in Germany and works in a neighbouring country (Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France), a German mortgage is very possible; your residence is in Germany after all. The particularity is the income: it often flows in a foreign currency — typically Swiss francs — and from a foreign employment contract. The bank applies a safety discount to foreign-currency income and scrutinises the foreign contract more closely; some institutions treat CHF income more generously, others more cautiously. The tax treatment — cross-border commuter rules, withholding tax — also feeds into the paperwork. Anyone who assembles the right proofs early and picks a lender used to commuter income usually finances on regular terms. Which lenders those are, we clarify in conversation. Not legal or tax advice.
Common cross-border commuter profiles
Konstanz · Lörrach · Singen ↔ Zurich · Basel
The largest cross-border market. CHF income, an established pool of banks. The conversion right does not apply (CH is not in the EU).
Saarland · Trier ↔ Luxembourg
EUR — no currency issue. The simplest case. LU incomes are often high, which means very good terms.
Bavaria · Vorarlberg border ↔ Austria
EUR, established. The Hochrhein–Vorarlberg commuter case is also well served.
Aachen · Lower Rhine ↔ Netherlands
EUR, straightforward. A Dutch employer with a German residence — a standard case for many banks.
Baden ↔ France
EUR, a small but active market. Saarland ↔ Lorraine also works.
Requirements for the application
- 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: 8–15 % with very strong credit, a higher ratio for prime locations
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
- CHF income is converted, with a discount often of 10–15 % (lower than for Germans living abroad)
- 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
Also relevant for commuters
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