# NHG in 2026: costs, benefits and conditions

> What is NHG and what does it cost in 2026? We explain how the Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee protects you and when it makes sense.

https://www.belderbrandt.nl/en/mortgage-advice/nhg-national-mortgage-guarantee · English

Nobody buys a house expecting things to go wrong. But a divorce, redundancy or long-term illness can happen to anyone, in Tilburg too. The Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) is a safety net for exactly those moments, and it often comes with a lower mortgage rate as well. In this article we explain what NHG actually does, what it costs in 2026 and whether it makes sense for you.

## What exactly is NHG?

NHG stands for Nationale Hypotheek Garantie. It's not an insurance policy you claim on yourself, but a guarantee that the Homeownership Guarantee Fund (WEW) provides to your lender. If circumstances such as unemployment, disability or a divorce mean you can no longer pay your mortgage and your home has to be sold in a forced sale, any residual debt can be waived under certain conditions. That way you avoid dragging around a debt for years for a house you no longer even live in.

## What does NHG cost in 2026?

The NHG limit for 2026 is €470,000. If you're financing energy-saving measures, the limit can rise to €498,200. The amount above the standard limit must be spent entirely on those energy-saving measures. The NHG guarantee fee for 2026 is 0.4% of the amount you borrow. Exactly which home value and financing fit within NHG depends on the NHG conditions and your situation.

## What do you get out of it?

NHG can be attractive because lenders often charge a lower interest rate on mortgages with NHG. How big that rate advantage is differs per lender and risk category. So always weigh the guarantee fee against the rate advantage and the extra security NHG gives you.

## When is a residual debt waived?

A waiver is not automatic. NHG assesses, among other things, whether you acted in good faith and whether you fully cooperated in limiting the loss. Think of meeting your payment obligations as far as possible, keeping the home in good condition and trying to sell it for the highest possible price. If you don't meet the conditions, any residual debt remains yours.

## Is NHG mandatory, and is it a smart choice?

NHG is not mandatory. Whether it's a smart choice depends on your mortgage amount, interest rate, home value and personal situation. The rate advantage can offset the guarantee fee, but that's not automatically the case for every mortgage. If you buy above the NHG limit, NHG isn't available to you. In 2026 that limit is €470,000, or €498,200 when you meet the conditions for energy-saving measures.

**From our experience: Why we still think this matters**

The honest answer is that in our own practice, we don't have a good example of a client whose residual debt we've had to settle. In all our years as mortgage advisors, virtually every client has sold their previous home at a profit. But sooner or later, times will return when people have to sell at a loss. That's why we think it's important to keep raising this subject and to explain what a residual debt can mean.

## Wondering whether NHG makes sense for you?

Whether NHG fits your situation depends on your income, your housing plans and the home you have your eye on. We're happy to think it through with you, free of obligation, over a cup of coffee at our office in Tilburg or online. Call us on 06 52 69 88 22 or email Martin@belderbrandt.nl and we'll set up an appointment.