Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) has launched a special residential loan programme for citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland, a Raiffeisenbank press statement announced on October 19 2007.

The programme gives foreign nationals the opportunity to buy holiday property, houses, apartments, which are either existing or at least 70 per cent complete.

Loans are denominated both in euro and Bulgarian leva, while the maximum term is 25 years. The grace period, of up to 12 months, obliges the loan beneficiary to pay the interest alone.

The value of the loan can cover up to 80 per cent of the property's market value. The threshold of the loan is 5 000 euros or the equivalent in leva. There is no maximum amount.

This is Raiffeisenbank's second new offer for foreign nationals in a month. In September 2007, it began leasing real estate to foreign nationals irrespective of their country of origin or affiliation.

The maximum term of the lease is 15 years and would cover a up to 60 per cent of the sum of the real estate.