Taiwan financing guideForeign nationals can buy and finance property in Taiwan, but the mortgage you get depends far more on your residency status and income in Taiwan than on your passport. The central bank sets loan-to-value caps by how many homes you own and how expensive the property is, and banks then add their own caution for non-residents. Here is how it works in practice.
The rules that limit every borrower
Taiwan's central bank regulates mortgage lending through caps that apply to natural persons nationwide. From 20 March 2026 the limit on a second-home loan was raised from 50% to 60% of value. Loans on homes defined as high-priced remain capped at 30%, and the same ceiling applies to third and later homes and to companies buying residential property. The high-priced threshold is set per city, with Taipei's the highest.
We found no separate loan-to-value limit written specifically for foreigners. The stricter treatment comes from the banks' own underwriting, which looks hard at income stability, length of residence and the distance between the borrower and the collateral. Check the central bank's published rules for the current figures before you rely on any broker's summary.
| Situation | Indicative central bank cap |
|---|---|
| Second home loan (from March 2026) | 60% |
| Third or later home | 30% |
| Property defined as high-priced | 30% |
| Company buying residential property | 30% |
Who actually gets approved
In practice approval odds improve steeply with ties to Taiwan. Foreigners holding an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, those with a Taiwanese spouse or a local guarantor, and those with a Taiwan payroll and several years of tax history are treated most favourably. A foreign salary paid offshore, with no Taiwan residency, is very hard to place with a local bank.
Pre-sale (off-plan) homes are viewed as higher risk for foreign borrowers, and lenders may ask for a larger down payment than they would from a local buyer. If you intend to borrow, build the relationship early: a salary account and a visible savings trail help more than any one document.
Before getting deep into financing, read our guide to buying property in Taiwan, since ownership rules, reciprocity requirements and permit approvals come first.
Interest-rate context
Taiwanese mortgages are typically variable, priced as a spread over a bank's reference rate that follows the central bank's discount rate. They have long been cheap by international standards, which is one reason the central bank leans on loan-to-value limits instead of making money expensive. We do not quote a precise current rate because it differs between banks and borrowers, and published promotional rates often require a payroll account or insurance cross-sale. Ask for a written quote showing the real annual percentage rate.
To see what a given rate means for your budget, run the numbers in the mortgage calculator.
Paperwork checklist
Banks vary, but these items come up in most applications.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport and ARC or APRC | Residency status is central |
| Taiwan tax and income records | Often the most recent two years |
| Employment letter and payslips | From a Taiwan-registered employer where possible |
| Bank statements | Showing deposit and savings history |
| Sales contract and title search | Property side of the file |
| Local guarantor details | If you have one |
Step by step
- Confirm that reciprocity and local permit rules allow your nationality to buy where you plan to.
- Ask two banks for pre-approval, stating the property type and price.
- Sign the purchase contract and pay the initial deposit into the trust-escrow arrangement your agent uses.
- The bank values the property and issues a final offer.
- Register the transfer through a land administration scrivener (a licensed professional) and register the mortgage.
- Pay the deed tax, stamp duty and fees, then collect the keys.
The process generally takes one to three months.
If a bank refuses
Foreign buyers without Taiwan income often fall back on one of these routes.
- Paying cash, transferred in through a documented foreign-exchange channel.
- Equity release at home, borrowing against property you already own overseas.
- A Taiwanese co-borrower, usually a spouse, whose income supports the loan.
- Developer instalments on new builds, where the contract schedules stage payments.
Our financing hub compares these routes by country, and affordable options in Taiwan show what smaller budgets can reach.
Last updated 8 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is there a special loan-to-value limit for foreigners in Taiwan?
Not in the central bank rules we reviewed. The caps depend on how many homes you own and how expensive the property is, though banks apply stricter standards to foreign applicants in practice.
Did the 2026 change make mortgages easier?
A little. The central bank lifted the second-home cap from 50% to 60% on 20 March 2026, but high-priced homes and third homes stay at 30%, so the change mainly helps buyers of a second ordinary home.
Can I get a mortgage without living in Taiwan?
It is difficult. Banks want local income, a residence record and often a guarantor. Non-resident buyers usually pay cash or use home-country equity.
Does having an APRC help?
Yes. Permanent residents are generally treated much closer to locals, and a Taiwanese spouse or local guarantor improves the odds further.
Are off-plan purchases easier to finance?
Usually the opposite for foreigners. Lenders see pre-sale homes as riskier and may require more down payment, so check terms before you sign a reservation.
Where can I find the central bank's current rules?
On the central bank's website, in its rules for financial institutions handling real estate mortgage lending. Ask your bank which version its offer is based on, and see the Taiwan overview for the market.