Buying an apartment in the UK as a foreigner in 2026
A foreigner buys a home in the UK with no nationality restrictions but pays up to 7% in stamp duty surcharges. The average flat costs about $260,000, a London home about $730,000.
In short
- Prices: the average flat costs about $260,000, a London home about $730,000 on average.
- Stamp duty in England runs from 0% to 12% by price band, plus 2% for non-residents and 5% if you already own a home.
- Foreigners buy with no nationality restrictions.
- The deal usually takes 2-4 months.
- No residence is granted for buying; the investor visa closed in 2022.
In detail
Foreigners buy property in the UK with no nationality restrictions: London flats, suburban houses, student housing in university towns. But stamp duty is noticeably higher for foreigners, and letting rules in England became stricter from 1 May 2026. Below are the rules for England and Northern Ireland; Scotland and Wales have their own taxes. A detailed look at the market and transaction support is on the page property in the UK; here are short answers to the main questions.
How much an apartment in the UK costs in 2026
According to the Office for National Statistics, in July 2026 the average UK house price was £273,000, about $370,000, up 1.4% over the year. London is getting cheaper: down 3.3% over the year.
| Where | Average price |
|---|---|
| Flat, UK average | ~$260,000 |
| Home in England | ~$390,000 |
| London | ~$730,000 |
| UK overall | ~$370,000 |
Stamp duty on a home in England
| Price band | Base rate |
|---|---|
| up to £125,000, ~$170,000 | 0% |
| £125,000 to £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,000 to £925,000 | 5% |
| £925,000 to £1,500,000 | 10% |
| over £1,500,000 | 12% |
Surcharges are added to the base rates: 2% for UK non-residents and 5% for those who already own a home anywhere in the world, and for companies. Together - 7%.
A worked example for a £500,000 London flat: base duty £15,000, the 2% non-resident surcharge another £10,000, a total of £25,000, about $34,000. If the buyer already owns a flat in another country, 5% is added and the duty rises to £50,000, about $67,000.
Surcharges of up to 7% are settled before exchange
The law does not stop you from buying a flat in the UK on your own. But mistakes cost more than the duty: surcharges that the right purchase structure could have avoided, a failed exchange that costs the deposit, a flat with a short ground lease and a payment the bank will not accept under sanctions rules. We find the property, calculate stamp duty with surcharges, work with a UK conveyancing solicitor, choose the ownership structure and register a foreign company on the register if the purchase goes through one. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the property, the ownership structure and whether you will let it; our manager in the chat will calculate it.
How to buy an apartment in the UK: step by step
- An offer through an agency and choosing a conveyancing solicitor.
- The solicitor's checks: title, encumbrances, local authority searches, ground lease terms for flats.
- Exchange of contracts and a deposit, usually 10%: from this point the deal is binding.
- Completion, payment of the balance and stamp duty within 14 days.
- Registration with the Land Registry.
Usually two to four months pass from an accepted offer to completion. Flats in England are often sold leasehold, so the lease term and management charges are checked especially carefully. A British deal is polite and unhurried, but changing your mind after exchange costs the deposit.
Renting out and selling
- From 1 May 2026 the Renters' Rights Act applies in England: no-fault eviction is abolished and tenancies became open-ended.
- A non-resident landlord pays UK tax on rental income.
- On sale a non-resident files a special return within 60 days of completion, even with no gain.
More on the page taxes in the UK.
Can a Russian citizen buy an apartment in the UK
There are no nationality restrictions on buying, but UK sanctions rules limit banking for Russian citizens without UK status, so the path of the purchase money is planned in advance. A foreign company owning UK property must register on the register of overseas entities and disclose its beneficial owners.
Does buying give residence
No. The investor visa closed in 2022, and buying a home gives no status. More on routes to residence on the page UK residence through investment.
How we help
The law does not stop you from filing on your own. But mistakes in structure and timing cost more than the duty: surcharges that could have been avoided, a failed exchange, a flat with a short ground lease. We find the property, calculate stamp duty with surcharges, work with a UK conveyancing solicitor and choose the ownership structure.
Property in the UK
Selection, duty calculation, the deal and ownership structure.
Learn more →Property in Scotland
Its own purchase tax and its own deal rules.
Learn more →Company in the UK
A company to hold property and rent it out.
Learn more →All programmes are in the overview United Kingdom.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in the UK?
How much does an apartment in the UK cost in 2026?
What stamp duty applies to a flat in England?
How long does buying an apartment in the UK take?
Does buying an apartment give UK residence?
Can a Russian buy a flat in London?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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