Real estate holding

Who this is for / not for

This page is for investors or families holding real estate in a company and needing banking with a clear source-of-funds trail and ownership structure. It is not for property development or trading without a clear holding purpose.

Decision summary

  • Banks expect a clear source-of-funds trail (how the property was acquired, who funded it) and ownership clarity (beneficial owners, structure).
  • Prepare an onboarding pack: company docs, ownership, purchase/transfer documentation, and narrative.
  • Shortlist jurisdictions that accept real estate holding and are bankable for your profile; then choose partner type and request introductions when ready.

Banking & payments reality

Banks assess source of funds and ownership; real estate holding is common but must be documented. Purchase agreements, transfer deeds, and funding trail (e.g. sale of prior asset, inheritance, existing business) help. Opaque funding or unclear beneficial ownership hurt. See Bank account opening checklist.

Costs & timeline

Typical ranges depend on jurisdiction; formation and banking 1–3 months. See Costs, timelines, hidden fees and Compare jurisdictions.

Docs & KYC checklist

Banks want: ID, proof of address, company docs, description of the holding (properties, purpose), ownership/beneficial ownership, and source of funds — e.g. purchase agreement, proof of funding (sale, loan, inheritance). Use Bankability checklist and ensure the pack is consistent.

Common failure points / red flags

Common failures: no clear source-of-funds documentation; beneficial ownership unclear or inconsistent; jurisdiction the bank does not serve for real estate holding. Prepare a complete pack before applying.

Alternatives

Alternatives: different jurisdictions (e.g. UK, Ireland, UAE, Malta) or holding property in personal name where appropriate. See Compare jurisdictions.

FAQ

What is a source-of-funds trail for real estate?
Evidence of how the property was paid for: e.g. sale of another asset (with sale agreement), inheritance (with probate or similar), existing business profits, or mortgage (with loan agreement). Banks want a credible, documented trail.
Which jurisdictions suit real estate holding?
UK, Ireland, UAE, Portugal, and others are used. Compare banking appetite for real estate holding and local reporting/tax.
Do I need the property in the same jurisdiction as the company?
No, but the narrative should explain: company in jurisdiction A, property in B, and why. Banks accept cross-border holding when it is clear and documented.
What goes in the bank onboarding pack?
Standard KYC (ID, address, company docs, beneficial owners) plus: description of the holding, ownership structure, and source-of-funds evidence (e.g. purchase docs, proof of funding). Keep it consistent.

Next steps