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Mortgage for expats
Haven’t been living and working in the Netherlands that long? Or do you currently live abroad and are you planning to live and work in the Netherlands soon? It can seem really complicated to get a mortgage for a house as an expat – but we are happy to help! Often you just need to know and follow a few simple steps to get that reliable, safe mortgage you’re looking for. Feel free to contact our mortgage specialists at your convenience; they know everything there is to know about the options for expats and can help you find the best solution based on your personal situation.
What do you need to get an expat mortgage?
• You need a BSN. This is a unique registration number for everyone who lives in the Netherlands.
• Are you not a resident of the EU? Then you’ll need a residence permit that cannot be temporary.
• You must live in the Netherlands. Sometimes you can apply for a mortgage from the moment you arrive here, but other mortgage lenders only provide a mortgage if you have been living in the Netherlands for more than 6 months.
• You need a permanent contract from your employer in the Netherlands, or at least a so-called letter of intent. Such a form states that your employer intends to hire you on a permanent basis if the quality of your work does not change.
• If you have a partner, he or she must also live in the Netherlands. This rule applies even if you want to buy the house on your own salary only.
What does buying a house in the Netherlands cost?
Of course you’ll choose a house that suits your financial situation, but apart from the purchase price of said house, there are a few other “fixed” costs you need to keep in mind. For example, you pay a so-called transfer tax to the Dutch government: this is 2% of the purchase amount. You also pay costs for processing the purchase at a notary, you must have the house appraised and you need to pay a certain amount to your mortgage adviser. Depending on your situation, there are also the costs for your purchase broker, a construction inspection and perhaps the National Mortgage Guarantee. So make sure that regardless of the amount you pay for your house, you will also need to have at least 10-15 thousand extra euro’s on hand for the additional costs. And you cannot co-finance this in your mortgage.
What costs can you co-finance in your mortgage?
In principle, you can only get a mortgage in the Netherlands for 100% of the market value of the home. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you want to borrow money to make your home more sustainable – think of solar panels, wall insulation, double glazing – you can sometimes borrow up to 106% of the market value. And even if you want to renovate your home, you can often co-finance part of this in your mortgage. In that case, you can only borrow what you’ll add in value to your house with the planned renovation.
Questions about expat mortgages?
Every expat situation is different and a lot of important information is often only available in Dutch, so we understand that it is difficult to get all the right facts yourself! But please don’t worry, it does not have to be a difficult process. Give us a call or shoot us an e-mail, no strings attached, and we’ll look into what we can do for you. Thanks to years of experience in providing reliable, affordable mortgages, we know exactly which conditions you must meet and how you can best prepare. As an independent intermediary, we can find out exactly which mortgage is right for you. So choose A-Krediet and look forward to your new home in the Netherlands worry-free!