NHS
Mortgages

As an NHS worker, the amount you can borrow will largely depend on your income and whether you meet the lender’s eligibility requirements. Lenders need to be confident that you can afford the repayments and that you have a solid credit history.

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will carry out an affordability assessment. This takes into account your income, regular expenses, credit score, existing debts, age, UK residency status, the amount you want to borrow, and the size of your deposit.

If you meet the criteria, most lenders will typically offer up to 4.5 times your annual salary.

The First Homes Scheme is specifically designed for first-time buyers and is often referred to as a Key Worker Housing Scheme or NHS Housing Scheme.

It offers a discount of 30% to 50% off the market value of a property. This scheme is only available for the purchase of a primary residence — it cannot be used for buy-to-let properties or commercial investments.

Given the challenges many first-time buyers face when trying to get on the property ladder, the First Homes Scheme has been welcomed as a helpful support option.

Here’s a summary of the eligibility criteria:

You must:

• Be a first-time buyer

• Be able to secure a mortgage covering at least 50% of the property value

• Have a gross annual income of less than £80,000 (or less than £90,000 if buying in London)

• Be at least 18 years old

If buying with others, all applicants must:

• Be first-time buyers

• Apply together

• Have a combined gross income under £80,000 (or £90,000 in London)

Local councils oversee how the scheme is applied, including who qualifies. While definitions may vary slightly, NHS staff, police officers, firefighters, and other essential public sector workers generally meet the Key Worker criteria across most councils.

Yes, it’s possible to get a mortgage even if you’ve just started a new job with the NHS.

Some lenders are willing to accept a signed permanent contract as proof of income — even before your official start date. This is largely because NHS employment contracts are familiar and trusted by mortgage underwriters. They often view NHS roles as stable, with reliable long-term income, which can give lenders confidence in your ability to make regular mortgage payments.

That said, many lenders still prefer to see at least one month’s worth of payslips, and some may require up to three months before considering your application.

The type of contract you have plays a major role in your eligibility. If you’re on a permanent contract, the contract alone may be enough. However, if you’re employed on a fixed-term, part-time, or zero-hours basis, you’ll usually need to provide between 3 and 12 months of payslips.

For compliance, lenders and brokers will also ask for your bank statements to verify your salary and review your spending habits as part of their assessment process.