Can you afford to buy in the Netherlands?

Max mortgage: €315,000 (4.5× indicative)

For buying costs (~5% of price)

What you save per month toward buying costs

✓ 4.5× gross salary (indicative)

Dutch banks lend up to roughly 4.5× your gross annual salary. At €70,000 that is around €315,000. The real cap follows the Nibud financieringslast tables — energy-efficient homes and dual incomes can push it higher.

✓ No deposit required

Since 2018, Dutch mortgages can finance up to 100% of the purchase price — there is no minimum deposit. What you still need from your own savings is the buying costs below.

✓ NHG (Nationale Hypotheek Garantie)

Properties under €470,000 qualify for NHG — government-backed mortgage insurance that gives you a ~0.4–0.6% lower interest rate.

✓ Buying costs on top

Budget about 5% of the purchase price in own funds: transfer tax (2% for owner-occupiers 35+), notary fees, mortgage advisor, and valuation. These cannot be mortgaged. First-time buyers under 35 pay 0% transfer tax on homes up to €555,000 (2026 starter exemption).

✓ 30% ruling and mortgage

Banks may not count your tax-free allowance from the 30% ruling as permanent income. This can reduce your mortgage eligibility.