# Mortgages for Entrepreneurs & Self-Employed > Mortgages for entrepreneurs and the self-employed in Tilburg: how much you can borrow, which financial statements you need and what it costs. Explained. https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/entrepreneurs-self-employed · English As an entrepreneur or self-employed professional, you can absolutely get a mortgage in Tilburg. Mortgage lenders assess your income differently from that of someone in salaried employment, but that does not necessarily mean getting a mortgage is more difficult. It simply requires a different approach and a clear understanding of how lenders assess business income. For expats who run a business or work as self-employed professionals in the Netherlands, the process can seem particularly complicated. We understand how lenders assess different types of business income and help you find the mortgage options that fit your situation. ## How much can you borrow? For entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals, mortgage lenders generally look at your profits over recent years rather than your turnover. In simple terms, it is not how much money comes into the business that matters most, but how much profit remains. Lenders usually consider your income history, recent results and the overall trend in your business. If you had an exceptionally strong year because of a one-off event, that year may be assessed differently. If you had one weaker year, we look at how it compares with previous years and whether your business shows a stable or positive long-term trend. We calculate how much you may be able to borrow and look at which lenders best match your income and business situation. Want a broader sense of what determines 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). ## Do you need three years of financial statements? Three years of financial history is the starting point for many mortgage lenders, but there are exceptions. If you recently started your business, became a shareholder in an existing company or moved from salaried employment into self-employment, there may still be mortgage options available. This can be particularly relevant for expats who have recently started working as entrepreneurs in the Netherlands or who have a shorter Dutch business history. If you previously worked in salaried employment and now perform similar work as an entrepreneur or self-employed professional, some lenders may take this into account. We look at your complete employment and business history and determine which lenders are most suitable for your situation. ## What type of business do you have? Your business structure affects how lenders assess your income. A sole proprietorship, general partnership (VOF), private limited company (BV) or structure involving multiple BVs each requires a different approach. If you are a director-major shareholder, known in the Netherlands as a DGA, your income is assessed differently from that of a sole trader or self-employed professional. If you own multiple businesses, we determine which income can be included in the mortgage calculation. If your partner is employed by your BV, this may also affect how your combined income is assessed. For expat entrepreneurs, international business activities, foreign income or ownership of companies outside the Netherlands may add another layer of complexity. We look at the complete picture and explain what can and cannot be included in your mortgage application. ## What about exceptional profits and fluctuating income? Business income is not always the same every year. Mortgage lenders understand this, but they look carefully at significant fluctuations. An exceptionally strong year may be treated with caution if the higher profit resulted from a one-off event. A weaker recent year can also affect your borrowing capacity, but the overall trend and the reasons behind the lower result may be relevant. We understand how different lenders assess business income and which information may help provide a complete and accurate picture of your financial situation. ## What is an income statement? An income statement is a document in which a specialist officially determines the qualifying income that can be used for your mortgage application. Some lenders require an official income statement for entrepreneurs, while others may assess your annual accounts and tax returns directly. We check exactly what is required for your situation and make sure you know which documents you need before starting the mortgage application. ## Does it take longer and cost more? A mortgage application for an entrepreneur or self-employed professional usually requires more preparation than an application for someone in salaried employment. Additional financial information may need to be assessed, so the process can sometimes take a little longer. Our mortgage advice fee for an entrepreneur is €500 higher than for the same mortgage application for someone in salaried employment. We explain the costs clearly beforehand, so you know exactly what to expect. You can find our current rates in the [comparison cards on our downloads page](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/downloads). ## What documents do we need? The documents we need depend on your business structure, how long you have been self-employed and how your income is earned. As a starting point, we may need: - Your last three income tax returns - Your last three annual accounts - Your Chamber of Commerce registration, known in the Netherlands as your KVK registration For expats with foreign business income, companies abroad or a shorter financial history in the Netherlands, additional documents may be required. During our first conversation, we identify exactly which documents are needed for your situation. Buying your first home as an entrepreneur? Read also [buying your first home in Tilburg](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/buying-your-first-home). ## Want to know how much you can borrow? We bring together your income, business results, company structure and future plans to calculate how much you may be able to borrow for a home in Tilburg. During a conversation of about an hour and a half, we explain your options and identify which mortgage lenders may be suitable for your situation. Whether you are an entrepreneur, self-employed professional or expat business owner in Tilburg, we make sure you have a clear picture of what is possible before you start looking for a home.