Can you get a mortgage for 5 or 6 times your salary?

Key takeaways

• Standard limits: Most UK lenders cap borrowing at 4 to 4.5 times your annual salary.
• Higher multiples: You can borrow 5 to 6 times your salary if you are a high earner, a qualified professional (e.g., doctor, teacher), or a first-time buyer using specialist schemes.
• Affordability boosters: Schemes like Income Boost (guarantor mortgages) and Shared Ownership can help you access homes worth significantly more than your individual salary multiple.
• Eligibility: Securing higher multiples typically requires a strong credit score and specific income thresholds (e.g., £37k+ for individuals).

How can you get 5 or 6 times your income for a mortgage?

How many times your salary can you borrow for a mortgage?

Most high street lenders cap mortgages at 4 – 4.5x your annual income. For example:

This is designed to make sure you can afford repayments, even if interest rates rise.

That said, it’s worth knowing that 5x income lending is becoming much more common, with a growing number of lenders relaxing their qualification rules and offering higher income multiples to a wider range of borrowers.

But what if a standard 4–4.5x multiple still isn't enough to buy the home you want? The good news is that with the help of specialist affordability schemes and first-time buyer mortgages, it may be possible to borrow 5 or even 6 times your income.

Can I get a mortgage 5 or 6 times my salary?

Yes, you may be able to get a mortgage for 5 or 6 times your salary, but this is not possible for all borrowers. Mortgages which are 5-6x a borrower’s income are typically reserved for those with high incomes, who have good credit scores or who work in specific professions. You can also boost your borrowing capacity through specialist schemes like guarantor mortgages. Keep in mind that in order to qualify for higher borrowing, you’ll need to meet the lender’s eligibility and affordability criteria.

A joint application can also help, as combining incomes may make it easier to meet minimum income thresholds and can reduce the lender’s perceived risk.

Here are some of the key factors lenders consider:

Factors that could help you get a 5 or 6 times salary mortgage

• High income: Lenders typically reserve 5x income mortgages for borrowers with higher salaries.
• Good credit score: A strong credit history is crucial, as offering a higher loan is riskier for lenders. Borrowers with good credit scores are seen as lower risk.
• A larger deposit: Having a bigger deposit (such as 15–25%) reduces the lender’s loan-to-value ratio and risk, which can make lenders more comfortable offering higher income multiples.
• Low debt-to-income ratio: Lenders assess existing commitments like credit cards, car finance, and personal loans. Fewer outgoings relative to income can increase the chances of approval for higher borrowing.
• Professional status: Some ‘professional’ jobs, such as doctors and lawyers, or key worker roles like nurses are eligible for Professional mortgages or Key Worker mortgages. This may allow you to borrow higher borrowing multiples if you qualify.
• First-time buyers: Some mortgage products have been specifically designed to allow first-time buyers to borrow up more than the standard 4-4.5x times their income. Find out more.

Case study: Sarah the teacher

Sarah is an early-career teacher earning £38,000 a year.

To show you just how much difference a higher income multiple can make, here's a quick example.

• Standard 4.5x multiple: Maximum borrowing of £171,000
• With a Key Worker mortgage: Maximum borrowing of up to £209,000

That extra £38,000 could make the difference between settling for a smaller flat in a less convenient location and buying a beautiful home in her preferred area.

1. 5.5x Income mortgage

If you’re a first-time buyer, you may be eligible for a 5.5x Income Mortgage.

To be eligible for a 5.5x Income Mortgage, you typically need:

• Minimum deposit: 5% of the property price.
• Credit score: An excellent credit history.
• Individual income: At least £37,000 per year.
• Joint income: At least £55,000 combined.
• Employment: Must be employed (not self-employed).

Unfortunately, you won’t be eligible for a 5.5x Income Mortgage if you’re self-employed. Take a look at our self-employed mortgages guide to see the other ways you could get on the ladder.

2. Professional or key worker mortgages

Lenders are often willing to offer mortgages up to 6 times your salary for borrowers who work in a ‘professional’ career. What exactly counts as professional varies from one lender to the next, but this tends to include doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants and teachers. Hence why these types of mortgages are sometimes called ‘NHS mortgages’ or ‘Blue Light mortgages’.

From a lender’s point of view, professional borrowers are more likely to remain in work and benefit from regular salary increases due to the nature of their profession. This can make them less risky borrowers, giving lenders the confidence to offer a bigger mortgage.

To be eligible for a Professional Mortgage, you’ll need to have qualified in the last 10 years, be registered with the appropriate UK professional body and work in a field related to your profession.

If you’d like to purchase a pre-owned property, you’ll only need a 5% deposit. You may need to save a bigger deposit if you’re buying a new build.

3. Income Boost

Another way you could increase what you can afford to borrow for a mortgage is through the help of a friend or family member. An Income Boost is a type of guarantor mortgage that can help you increase your home buying budget by adding a loved one to your mortgage application as a Booster without adding them to the property deeds. With their income combined with yours, you’ll be able to borrow more for a mortgage.

Keep in mind that as your loved one will be agreeing to be a guarantor on the mortgage, if you’re ever unable to make the repayments they’ll have to step in and help.

4. Tenants in common

Tenants in common lets up to four people purchase a property together. This is a great alternative to renting, where you and your friends or siblings can pool your resources together to afford a property as a collective. Together, you can boost your buying budget and buy a home you really love, rather than the first one you could afford as an individual applicant.

Learn more: Can a group of friends or siblings buy a house together?

5. Shared Ownership

Shared Ownership makes it easier to get on the ladder by letting you part-buy, part-rent a home. It works by purchasing a share of the property that you own, then paying rent to a housing association or developer on the rest. Over time, you can buy more of the property until you are the sole owner. Plus, as you’re only buying a share of the home, these schemes can help you live in a home worth up to 10x your income.

If you’re struggling to buy a home the traditional way, Shared Ownership can make it easier to take those first steps on the ladder. You’ll only need a small deposit - in fact some schemes let you buy without any deposit - and you won’t need to take out a big mortgage either.

Shared Ownership is very different to the other schemes and mortgages on this list, but if you’re struggling to boost your affordability and get the loan you need, it could be the answer.

Learn more: How to get a shared ownership mortgage.

Can I get a mortgage for 7 times my salary?

It depends. Lenders tend to reserve 7x salary mortgages for borrowers with a high net worth, and these loans can be risky for both borrowers and lenders, especially during volatile times when interest rates could increase. If you need to stretch your borrowing, practical alternatives include an Income Boost or a tenants in common mortgage, which can help by combining incomes.

Can I get a mortgage for 10 times my salary?

Again, it depends. Technically, no lender offers 10x on a single income when calculating affordability, but it may be possible to reach the equivalent of 10 times your salary by combining incomes and adding at least one extra borrower to the mortgage. You could do this through an Income Boost or a tenants in common mortgage.