For countless investors, expats, and digital nomads, the dream of owning a lovely home abroad often crashes against the rocky shore of lengthy processes, inaccessible financial systems, and complex regulations.
But now a wave of fintech innovation is changing the way people buy overseas. In 2025 and beyond, buying a seaside villa in Spain or a countryside cottage in Portugal could be nearly as easy as buying a condo just down the street.
Growing Demand for Property Abroad
Remote work has become mainstream in recent years, and more people are embracing a lifestyle that transcends borders. The world is now home to more than 40 million digital nomads, and the number of expatriates and regular travelers looks set to rise.
Nearly half of the UK’s tech professionals expect to consider moving abroad in the next five years, according to Currencies Direct. American interest in moving abroad spiked 15-fold after last month’s presidential election, as many fear for the country’s political stability in the coming years.
Others are simply looking for vacation homes or investment properties, hoping to take advantage of favorable mortgage rates, stronger purchasing power, and low prices. Yet the process of buying abroad has always been fraught with challenges. National differences in credit scoring, language barriers, higher down payments for non-residents, and convoluted legal processes have deterred millions of potential buyers over the years.
As a result, in many jurisdictions only the most determined investors or those with substantial resources end up closing deals. But now a number of financial technology, or fintech, solutions are emerging to remake the international property landscape, simplifying and streamlining the process of buying real estate overseas.
Emerging Digital Solution
Some years ago, entrepreneur Marcelo Barreneche was living in London and looking to buy an apartment in Barcelona, but repeatedly found himself frustrated by the immense difficulty of applying for international mortgages. He reached out to his friend Tom Colvin, a financial advisor, and together they built Upscore, a platform that enables potential home-buyers to secure mortgages in a growing number of foreign countries.
“Our ultimate vision is to contribute to a more globalized mortgage and financial system, where individuals can seamlessly control and ‘passport’ their financial data across borders with minimal friction,” says Barreneche.
The Upscore platform’s Finance Passport™ is meant to be a one-stop shop for property buyers. Users upload essential financial information like income, credit history, and debt obligations, which is then used to match them with mortgage offers across multiple countries.
Simplicity and Security
Importantly, the platform only accesses information voluntarily shared by the user, ensuring privacy and control over sensitive data. Once a profile is created, users can easily view which mortgages they qualify for, compare offers from various lenders, and navigate the application process.
Ideally, Upscore removes much of the paperwork and streamlines the often complex legal and administrative requirements. Colvin says the platform enables non-resident buyers to access mortgage terms and services that would otherwise be unavailable without extensive local knowledge and connections.
Upscore is available in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, the US and Australia, and will add six new markets in 2025, including major destinations France, Greece, and Mexico. Since launching in June, the platform has helped clients secure more than €15 million in mortgages, with the majority coming in the last few months.
The Perfect Time to Buy
As more and more Americans look to move or buy abroad, several factors are converging to make property in Europe especially attractive in 2025:
1. Lower Mortgage Rates: Mortgage rates in countries like Spain and Portugal are currently around 3.5-4%, nearly half of the 7-8% rates in the US. This difference often translates into significant savings.
2. Favourable Exchange Rates: The strength of the U.S. dollar against the euro has given Americans more purchasing power. In 2020, the exchange rate stood at 1 USD = 0.84 EUR. Today it’s about 1 USD = 0.95 EUR, a 13% increase in value.
3. Affordable European Property Prices: Compared to the U.S., where median home prices now exceed $400,000, many European properties offer excellent value. Beachfront apartments in Spain go for as little as €200,000, and charming Portuguese villas are available for under €300,000.
4. Post-Pandemic Lifestyle Shifts: The rise of remote work has encouraged more people to embrace international living. Europe’s cultural richness, healthcare quality, and relaxed pace of life are significant draws, especially for digital nomads, retirees, and investors.
“European countries are laying out the red carpet for overseas property buyers more than ever,” says Jana Korpova-Harris, Director of property advisory Your Overseas Home. “Whether buying second homes or relocating, there are now simple, frictionless procedures and low-entry requirements for retirees, digital nomads, expats and investors.”
Overcoming the Challenges of Buying Abroad
Despite the favorable conditions, purchasing property in a foreign country still comes with challenges. Differences in credit systems, language barriers, and legal processes can make the experience daunting. Traditional banking systems often struggle to accommodate the growing number of non-resident buyers.
Read More like this Renting or Buying Abroad: Which is right for you?
This is where Upscore comes into play, by negotiating directly with banks to make international lending more accessible, often using their purchasing power to secure better terms for non-residents. The platform also ensures that documents are standardized across different countries, further reducing friction in the buying process.
The Future of Global Property Ownership
By removing barriers and streamlining processes, innovative platforms like Upscore are empowering digital nomads, expats, and global citizens to invest in international real estate with confidence.
As technology continues to evolve, the dream of buying a home abroad is no longer reserved for the elite. With tools like Upscore’s Finance Passport™ and the rise of global mortgage markets, that dream is more accessible than ever.
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