Can I buy a house in the Netherlands on a residence permit?
If you are an expat living in the Netherlands and you are considering buying a house, you may be wondering what the possibilities are for financing a property on a residence permit. Generally, there are quite a few options available. We will outline what the rules are for a few specific situations and residence permits in this article.
In the video below, mortgage advisor Andrew Aziz will explain to you if you qualify for purchasing a home in the Netherlands.
Buying as an EU resident
If you are an EU resident currently living in The Netherlands, it is possible to finance a house through most of the mortgage lenders without any problems.
Buying as a non-EU resident
When you are living in the Netherlands as a non-EU resident, your chances of getting a mortgage loan depend on your residence permit type.
Residence permit types:
- Non-temporary: When you have a residence permit for a so-called ‘non-temporary purpose of stay’, you can typically obtain a mortgage without any difficulty.
- Temporary: In the case of a residence permit for a temporary purpose of stay, there are almost no available options.
For more information on residence permits, check the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service: IND (page in Dutch).
In general, your options for financing a home depend on the type of temporary residence permit you have been issued. As a highly skilled migrant, your chances are generally best.
If you are in the Netherlands on a skilled labour basis (if this is the case, the back of your residence permit will state ‘Kennismigrant’), there are quite a few options with lenders to provide 100% of the loan-to-value that you would typically be entitled to, based on your income. Loan to value here means that banks will lend you 100% of the value of the property.
Be aware that when you apply for a mortgage, your passport and residence permit both need to be valid, and must not have expired!
Additional policies and requirements
All mortgage lenders maintain their own rules and policies, so your personal situation may mean that you will have less mortgage lenders to choose from than usual.
Minimum amount of years in the Netherlands
Some lenders require that you have lived and/or worked in the Netherlands for a minimum amount of time, while others do not. In most cases, it is not possible to qualify for a mortgage in the Netherlands if you are not yet living in the Netherlands (and don’t have a Dutch passport).
Maximum mortgage based on loan-to-value
Some lenders allow a 100% mortgage based on the market value of the property, while others have stricter rules depending on your residence status, and only allow you to borrow 85% or 90% of the value of the house.
Options may vary
Last but not least: It is important to note that your options may also vary among different Dutch mortgage providers. It is therefore always advisable to consult a mortgage consultant about your specific situation. Our advisors are happy to think along!
Download white paper ‘Buying a home in The Netherlands’
Do you want to go on a home hunt well prepared? You will find all the information in this white paper.