# Expat Mortgage in Tilburg

> Working in the Tilburg area as an expat and ready to buy a house? We explain how a Dutch mortgage works for internationals, including the 30% ruling.

https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/expat-mortgage-tilburg · English

You've found a job in Tilburg or the surrounding area, and you'd rather [buy a house](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/buying-your-first-home) than keep renting. As an international, you can run into different rules and acceptance criteria than a Dutch applicant. The 30% ruling may be treated differently, your residency status can play a role, and not every lender assesses foreign income in the same way. On this page, we cover what to keep in mind when getting a mortgage as an expat.

## What does the 30% ruling mean for your maximum mortgage?

If you have the 30% ruling, you receive part of your salary tax-free, under certain conditions, as compensation for the extra costs of working in the Netherlands. This matters for your mortgage, because lenders may treat the allowance differently, and that can affect how much you can borrow. From 2026, the ruling can be applied to a maximum of €262,000 of your salary. On top of that, the ruling will change from 2027 for certain groups of employees. And if your ruling expires in a few years, a lender may also look at your income without the allowance. That's why it's smart to have your situation calculated in advance, both with and without the ruling.

## Which employment contract and residence permit do you need?

For a mortgage, a lender wants certainty about your income and your situation in the Netherlands. A permanent contract keeps things simple, but a mortgage can also be possible with a temporary contract. The exact requirements differ from lender to lender. If you're from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, your residency status and residence permit can play a role. If you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you generally don't need a residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands.

## Can you get an NHG mortgage as an expat?

Yes, as an expat you can get a mortgage backed by the [Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG)](https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/nhg-national-mortgage-guarantee), provided you meet the conditions. In 2026, the NHG limit is €470,000, or €498,200 if you meet the conditions for extra financing of energy-saving measures. The lender does need to be able to assess your income and documents in a way that fits within its acceptance rules. Foreign income, a temporary residency status or a 30% ruling can require extra attention there.

## EU versus non-EU: what can you expect?

If you're from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, your residency status is usually straightforward, because you don't need a separate residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands. If you're from outside the EU, your residence permit can play a bigger role. Lenders may also ask for extra documents about your income, your employer or your residency situation. The exact requirements differ per lender.

**From our experience: How a postdoc with savings abroad still got a mortgage**

We once helped an expat client who worked at the university. The curious thing is that banks have an exception for people who are working towards a PhD. This client already had a PhD and was continuing as a postdoc. You'd think that being even better qualified would make a mortgage easier to get, and as an expat you'd certainly not expect any problems. On top of that, the client's savings were still in their home country. That combination, a postdoc position and money held abroad, made it nearly impossible. We really had to go back and forth with the bank's underwriter to show that this loan was in fact a very responsible one. The application took a bit longer and couldn't go to the bank with the lowest interest rate, but we're glad to say we got it done. The client later went on to teach at two universities, on a much higher income.

## Curious what you can borrow as an expat?

Every situation is different, certainly with a 30% ruling, a foreign employer or a temporary contract. We're happy to dig into your numbers and explain in plain language what is and isn't possible. Schedule a no-obligation consultation via 06 52 69 88 22 or email Martin@belderbrandt.nl. And of course, the whole conversation can simply be in English.