# What Does a Mortgage Cost in the Netherlands?

> What does a mortgage cost, and what does that mean for your monthly payments? Income, energy label and rate choice all matter. We calculate it together.

https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/calculate-your-mortgage · English

What does a mortgage cost, and what does that mean for your monthly payments? It's usually the first question that comes to mind when you start thinking about buying a home. An online calculator can give you a number, but that number rarely tells the whole story. The figures you need, we work out together, based on your complete situation.

Your maximum mortgage depends on several factors: your income, any student debt, whether you have a permanent or temporary employment contract, and whether you're buying alone or with someone else. The energy label of the property also plays a role, as buying an energy-efficient home may allow you to borrow more. What that means for your monthly payments, we work out together in a conversation. Want to know your maximum mortgage first? Read [how much can I borrow as an expat](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/how-much-can-i-borrow).

For expats, there may be additional factors to consider. Your employment history in the Netherlands, income earned abroad or an international employment contract can all affect your mortgage options. We look at your complete situation to determine what is realistic.

The income we use for the calculation matters too. Should we look at your current income, your previous income, or an increase you expect in the near future? It can make a significant difference. Together, we look at what is both realistic and sensible for your situation.

Financial commitments outside your mortgage also count. A leased car, a leased bike or other outstanding loans can affect how much you're able to borrow and therefore your monthly payments. Sometimes it may be smarter to pay off student debt before putting more money into a home, and sometimes it isn't. It depends entirely on your personal situation and what matters most to you.

We also check whether you qualify for NHG (the Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee), as this may help you secure a lower interest rate. If your parents or someone else is helping you with a gift or a family loan, we include that in the calculation too. For first-time buyers, we also explore whether a [starter loan](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/starter-loan-tilburg) could be an option.

For expats buying a home in the Netherlands, some of these options may be unfamiliar. We explain how they work and check which ones apply to your situation.

We bring everything together and calculate what is realistic for you. That way, you know exactly where you stand before you even start looking for a home.

## What do we need for a calculation?

For the first calculation, all we need is:

- A recent payslip
- An overview of any outstanding debts, such as student debt, a personal loan or a lease agreement

That's all we need for now. We go through the first calculation together in a conversation of about an hour and a half. By the end, you'll have a clear picture of how much you can borrow and what that means for your plans.

If you're an expat and new to the Dutch mortgage system, we also make sure everything is explained clearly, so you understand not just how much you can borrow, but why.