There is no single mortgage deposit requirement for everyone with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status. Some lenders consider these applications under their standard lending policy; others apply different limits, including different rules for sole and joint applicants. Your income, commitments, credit history and the property also affect what you may be able to borrow.
The useful question is how your available deposit fits the criteria for your particular application. A percentage quoted in a general guide is not a mortgage offer. This guide concerns a residential mortgage for a home you will live in.
How much would different deposits be?
Your deposit is the amount you contribute towards the purchase price. Loan-to-value, usually shortened to LTV, describes the mortgage as a percentage of the property’s value used by the lender.
For a £250,000 purchase, assuming the lender uses the same value:
| Deposit | Your contribution | Mortgage needed | LTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | £12,500 | £237,500 | 95% |
| 10% | £25,000 | £225,000 | 90% |
| 20% | £50,000 | £200,000 | 80% |
These are arithmetic examples, not products available to every applicant. They exclude legal fees, taxes where payable and other purchase costs. If the lender’s valuation is lower than the purchase price, the amount you need to contribute may change.
Our mortgage deposit guide explains the general preparation involved.
Why can two lenders ask for different deposits?
Lenders set their own acceptance criteria. Pre-settled status, UK residence and address history, income, commitments, credit history and property type can all be relevant. Meeting a deposit percentage does not remove the other checks.
Two examples show why a universal “pre-settled deposit” figure would be misleading. These policies were checked on 7 September 2026:
- NatWest: its foreign-national criteria include settled and pre-settled status within normal lending limits and LTV policy, including eligible non-EU EUSS holders. Applicants must be UK residents and meet the remaining criteria.
- Newcastle Building Society: its EEA criteria specify a maximum 80% LTV for a sole pre-settled applicant or a joint application where both hold pre-settled status. The policy can allow up to 95% where the other applicant is a UK citizen, has permanent residence rights or settled status. It also specifies at least two years’ UK residence. This EEA wording should not be assumed to apply to every non-EEA EUSS holder.
These are selected policy examples, not lender recommendations or confirmation that Count Ready can arrange a particular product. Criteria and available products can change. A lender’s full requirements must be checked for your application.
Applying on your own or with someone else
For a joint mortgage, the adviser needs to understand each applicant’s status, residence history, income and commitments. Having a British or settled-status partner does not mean the other person’s circumstances can be ignored.
Tell the adviser whether both applicants live in the UK and whether any income or deposit comes from overseas. An application involving someone who lives abroad raises different questions from one by two UK residents with different statuses. Read about joint mortgage applications for the wider considerations.
Where your deposit comes from matters
The lender and your conveyancer may ask for evidence showing how the money was obtained. Savings, a family gift and proceeds from selling an asset need different explanations.
For a gift, establish whether it is genuinely non-repayable and what evidence the proposed lender requires. A loan should not be described as a gift. Money transferred from overseas may require additional evidence of its origin and movement; holding it in a UK account does not by itself explain its source.
See our gifted-deposit guide. Ask the adviser which records are needed before arranging transfers or collecting unnecessary documents. MoneyHelper’s application guidance also covers proof of deposit and wider application evidence.
Preparing for a useful mortgage discussion
Have a summary of:
- Your approximate purchase budget and available deposit.
- Where the deposit comes from, including any gift or overseas funds.
- Each applicant’s current immigration status and UK address history.
- Employment or business income, regular commitments and any known credit issues.
- The property, if you have chosen one, and whether you are applying alone or jointly.
A short UK credit file is different from a history of missed payments. If that is your concern, read our guide to mortgages with no credit score. Check your credit reports for errors rather than assume a larger deposit will resolve every issue.
For business income, use our self-employed mortgage guidance. The income evidence and assessment will depend on your circumstances and the lender.
Pre-settled status is an EUSS immigration status, not a nationality. Eligible family members can hold it too. Use GOV.UK’s EUSS guidance for questions about your permission, extensions or moving to settled status; mortgage advice does not replace immigration advice.
For evidence of your status, follow the lender’s instructions and use the official eVisa and share-code service. Do not send UKVI passwords or identity and financial documents through an initial general enquiry. Ask which secure document process to use.
Our mortgage-document checklist can help you prepare. The adviser or lender should confirm the list for your case.
Questions about your deposit
Can I get a mortgage with a 5% deposit and pre-settled status?
There are qualifying circumstances in which this may be possible, but it is not a general entitlement. The dated Newcastle example above shows one joint-application route with additional conditions. Your own application needs a current lender and product check.
Does being self-employed mean I need a 20% deposit?
There is no single deposit percentage that follows simply from being self-employed and holding pre-settled status. The lender will assess the income it can accept, the supporting evidence and the rest of the application. A general “20% for self-employed applicants” statement does not establish what you need.
Will saving a larger deposit guarantee approval?
No. It reduces the mortgage needed and may bring the application within a lender’s loan-to-value limit, but income, commitments, credit, status evidence and property checks still apply. Keep purchase costs and your own financial needs in view when deciding how much cash to contribute.
Should I wait until I have settled status?
That needs an individual review. Some lenders already accept pre-settled status under standard policy, so waiting is not automatically necessary. Others distinguish between statuses or joint applicants. Compare your current options and circumstances before deciding; use official guidance or appropriate immigration advice for questions about changing status.
If you already hold settled status, use our settled-status mortgage page for the relevant service information.
Discuss your deposit and mortgage plans
You can contact Count Ready with a brief outline of your plans. Explain your available deposit, whether you are applying alone or jointly, and what you would like help understanding.
Review the Terms of Business and ask which advice fees would apply to your case before agreeing to chargeable work.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.