Personal FX
Buying or selling a property abroad.
Property purchases abroad are staged over months. The currency plan should follow the payment schedule, not the other way around.
One purchase, several payments
A typical overseas purchase involves a reservation deposit, an exchange deposit, possibly staged payments, and a completion balance. Each is a separate conversion at a separate moment, often months apart.
Because the total is known early but the timing is spread, this is one of the clearest cases for planning currency in advance rather than dealing with each payment as it arrives.
Property milestones
The payments behind a purchase abroad
- 1
Deposit
Usually paid when an offer is accepted or a reservation contract is signed.
- 2
Staged payments
For new builds or off-plan property, instalments may follow construction milestones.
- 3
Completion
The balance is sent to the notary, lawyer or developer in time for completion day.
Who this is for
Made for moments like these
- 01
Buyers purchasing a home or holiday property abroad
- 02
Owners selling property overseas
- 03
Those paying ongoing overseas property costs
What this covers
Where this typically applies
Deposit payments
Handle reservation and exchange deposits as they fall due.
Staged payments
Plan for new-build or construction schedules where payments are spread over time.
Completion balance
The largest payment, usually with a firm date set by your solicitor.
Selling and repatriating
Bring proceeds home when a property abroad is sold.
What to prepare
Have these to hand
- 1Your lawyer's or notary's payment details
- 2Expected payment dates
- 3The purchase or sale price
- 4Proof of source of funds
Before you proceed
Things worth knowing
- Currency planning does not replace legal or tax advice on an overseas purchase. Take independent professional advice in the country concerned.
- Local purchase costs — notary, registration, taxes and ongoing charges — are usually payable in local currency and should be budgeted for.
FAQ
Common questions
As soon as you have a payment schedule, even if the dates may move. Early context makes the later payments simpler to handle.
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