Every country caps you differently

USUnited States

DTI 43–50%FICO-driven pricing

• Your credit score drives rate tiers. 740+ usually gets the best pricing, and a lower rate means a bigger qualifying amount.
• FHA allows 3.5% down with a 580+ score and higher DTIs; VA and USDA loans can be 0% down.
• Conventional "HomeReady" / "Home Possible" allow 3% down.
• Keep old credit cards open (age of credit matters) but pay balances to near zero before statement dates.
• Ask about buying down the rate with points. It lowers the payment used for DTI.

CACanada

Stress testGDS/TDS

• You qualify at the higher of 5.25% or your contract rate + 2 points.
• First-time buyers and new-build buyers can get 30-year amortization on insured mortgages, which lowers the tested payment.
• Insured mortgages need just 5% down on the first $500k (10% above).
• Use the FHSA and RRSP Home Buyers' Plan to build the deposit tax-free.
• Some credit unions and B-lenders are more flexible on the stress test when renewing.

UKUnited Kingdom

~4.5× income15% flex

• Banks can lend above 4.5× income on up to 15% of new mortgages. Some offer 5–6× for professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants) or high earners.
• Five-year or longer fixed rates are often stress-tested more lightly than trackers.
• 95% LTV deals exist, and some lenders offer 100% "family springboard" mortgages backed by parents' savings.
• Register on the electoral roll. It noticeably helps your credit file.
• Terms up to 35–40 years are available.

IEIreland

4× income (FTB)90% LTV

• First-time buyers can borrow 4× gross income; second-time buyers 3.5×.
• Banks have an allowance for exemptions above the limit, so apply early in the year with a strong file.
• Help to Buy and First Home shared-equity schemes reduce the deposit you need on new builds.
• Show 6+ months of consistent saving ("repayment capacity") in your accounts.

NONorway

5× income10% equity10% flex

• Total debt (incl. student loans, car loans and full credit card limits) may not exceed 5× gross annual income.
• Closing unused credit cards is one of the fastest wins. Every 10,000 NOK of limit costs you 50,000 NOK of mortgage capacity.
• Banks may grant exceptions for up to 10% of loan volume per quarter (lower in Oslo). Ask early in the quarter.
• Parents can provide "tilleggssikkerhet" (extra collateral) to cover the equity requirement.
• Save in BSU before age 34 for a tax deduction and better rates on first-home loans.

SESweden

LTV capAmortization rules

• Banks use a "KALP" leftover-money calculation with high stress rates (often 6–7%).
• Amortization requirements depend on LTV and debt-to-income. Staying below thresholds lowers your required monthly payment.
• Credit card limits and blanco loans count heavily, so clean them up first.
• Membership-owned banks and mortgage startups sometimes calculate more generously than the big four.

DKDenmark

5% downRealkredit 80%

• Mortgage-credit institutions (realkredit) lend up to 80% of value; a bank loan covers up to 15% more.
• Loans above ~4× income face stricter requirements on loan type (e.g. fixed rate or interest-only limits).
• Choosing a fixed-rate realkredit loan can unlock more flexibility than a variable one.
• Show a positive "rådighedsbeløb" (disposable amount) in your budget.

DEGermany

No statutory LTISchufa

• Banks decide case by case, so shopping many lenders or using a broker platform pays off more than almost anywhere.
• Bring equity to cover at least the purchase costs (Kaufnebenkosten, ~7–12%); 100–110% financing exists for strong incomes.
• KfW loans for energy-efficient homes and families come at subsidized rates and can partly count as equity.
• Request your free Schufa report (Datenkopie nach Art. 15) and fix errors.
• Permanent employment (unbefristet, after probation) is heavily weighted.

NLNetherlands

100% LTVNibud tables

• Max loan is set by law based on income and interest rate. A longer fixed period can increase it.
• Energy-efficient homes (label A and up) and energy-saving upgrades allow extra borrowing.
• Student debt (DUO) reduces capacity, so paying some off before applying helps.
• NHG (national mortgage guarantee) lowers your rate on properties below the cap.
• The second income in a couple counts in full.

FRFrance

35% debt ratio25-year max

• Total loan payments incl. insurance may not exceed 35% of net income; terms max 25 years (27 for new builds).
• Banks can exceed these for 20% of loans, mostly reserved for first-time buyers and primary homes.
• Shop borrower insurance (délégation d'assurance). A cheaper policy lowers your debt ratio.
• The PTZ (zero-rate loan) adds interest-free money for eligible first-time buyers.

ESSpain

80% LTV~35% DTI

• Banks typically lend 80% of value for residents and 60–70% for non-residents.
• State (ICO) guarantees for young buyers and families can push financing toward 100%.
• Taking the bank's linked products (payroll, insurance) usually lowers the rate and raises the max amount.

AUAustralia

+3pp bufferLMI above 80%

• Banks test you at your rate + 3 percentage points and use the higher of your declared expenses or the HEM benchmark.
• Credit card limits are assessed at ~3–3.8% of the limit per month, so cancel or reduce them.
• The Home Guarantee Scheme lets first-home buyers buy with 5% (2% for single parents) and no LMI.
• Lenders differ a lot on how they shade bonus, overtime and rental income. Use a broker.

NZNew Zealand

DTI 6×LVR limits

• Banks can't lend more than 6× income for most owner-occupier loans (7× for investors), with a limited exception quota.
• New builds are exempt from many DTI and LVR restrictions.
• First Home Loans (via Kāinga Ora) allow 5% deposit.
• KiwiSaver withdrawals can fund the deposit.

JPJapan

35-year termsLow rates

• Banks commonly lend 7–8× annual income thanks to very low variable rates.
• Employment type and tenure matter enormously. Full-time employees at large firms get the best terms.
• Flat 35 offers long fixed rates and is more accessible to self-employed and foreign residents.
• Joint borrowing (pair loans) with a spouse can roughly double capacity.

SGSingapore

TDSR 55%MSR 30%

• All debt payments may not exceed 55% of income (TDSR); HDB/EC mortgages also have a 30% MSR.
• Pledging or showing liquid assets can be converted into "imputed income" to raise TDSR capacity.
• Variable income is usually haircut by 30%, so fixed salary counts more.
• HDB loans vs. bank loans have different LTVs. Compare both.

INIndia

LTV 75–90%FOIR

• Max LTV is 90% on smaller loans, 80% mid-size and 75% on larger ones.
• Adding a co-applicant (spouse, parent) both raises eligible income and can unlock tax benefits for each.
• Longer tenure (up to 30 years) lowers EMI and raises eligibility. Mind the age limit at maturity.
• A CIBIL score of 750+ gets the best rates.

ALLEverywhere else

Universal rules

• Find out which of the three caps (income, affordability, collateral) binds in your market.
• Ask the local regulator or central bank for current macroprudential rules. Most publish them online.
• Foreign banks and local branches of international banks may have different appetite, especially for expats.
• Income in a stable foreign currency may be valued differently, so ask.
• The 30 moves on the main page work almost everywhere.