Mortgage Readiness Check

A free, 4-question check on how ready you are to buy a home in the Netherlands — with honest next steps for newcomers, expats and first-time buyers. Nothing is saved.

Mortgage Readiness Check

A 4-question, no-signup check on how ready you are to buy — and what to do next.

Buying a home in the Netherlands starts long before the calculator. Answer four quick questions for an honest read on where you stand, plus the right next step. Nothing is saved or sent — it all stays in your browser.

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This is general information, not financial or immigration advice, and it does not assess or store your data. Lender and residency rules change and vary case by case — confirm your own situation with a qualified mortgage advisor or the IND.

What determines your readiness

Your right to live here. A Dutch mortgage can last thirty years, so lenders start with whether you may stay on a durable basis — not with your salary.

A stable income. A permanent contract is strongest; fixed-term work often needs an employer’s statement of intent, and self-employment needs a track record.

Time earning in the Netherlands. Lenders like to see that your Dutch income is real and steady, usually over at least a year.

Cash for the buying costs. Around 5% of the price is paid from your own savings at the notary and cannot be added to the loan.

A clean credit record. Your debts are registered at the BKR, and consumer loans reduce how much you can borrow.

What is your right to live in the Netherlands?

I am Dutch, an EU/EEA citizen, or hold permanent residence

I hold a work or family permit (e.g. highly skilled migrant)

I am on temporary protection, a study permit, or asylum

I am not sure of my status

What best describes your income?

A permanent employment contract

A fixed-term contract (ideally with an intent statement)

Self-employed, freelance, or my own business

No steady Dutch income yet

How long have you earned a steady income here?

A year or more of stable income in the Netherlands

Less than a year so far

None yet

Have you saved for the buying costs?

Yes — around 5% of the price in cash

Partly

Not yet

You look ready to start

On what you have told us, the basics are in place. The next move is a mortgage advisor, who can turn this into a real borrowing figure and a plan.

Book a free first meeting with an independent mortgage advisor to confirm your maximum and compare lenders.

Run your numbers through the calculator so you arrive with a realistic price range.

Keep your buying-costs savings liquid — they are paid in cash at the notary and cannot be borrowed.

Keep your BKR record clean and avoid new consumer debt until the mortgage is signed.

You are close — a couple of things to firm up

Your right to live here is settled and you have made a start. Strengthening your income proof or your savings will move you from “maybe” to “yes”.

If your contract is fixed-term, ask your employer for a statement of intent (intentieverklaring) — many lenders need it.

Keep building your Dutch income history; a full year of stable earnings widens your options.

Top up your cash savings toward about 5% of a home’s price for the buying costs.

Read how much you can borrow so your target price is grounded in reality.

Lay the groundwork first

You are allowed to buy in principle, but a lender needs a steadier income base or more savings before the numbers work. That is a matter of time, not permission.

Focus on a stable Dutch income — a permanent contract is the single most valuable thing to hold when you apply.

Save steadily toward the roughly 5% of buying costs that cannot be added to the loan.

Use the buy-vs-rent tool to plan while you build up, so renting now is a deliberate step.

Learn the process end to end so you can move quickly once you are ready.

Not yet — and it is about status, not you

A temporary-purpose status generally cannot support a Dutch mortgage today, however strong your income. The realistic path runs through a change of residence status first.

Read our guide for people on temporary protection to see exactly where you stand and why.

Focus on what you can build now: a stable income, clean credit and cash savings — all of it counts later.

If a route to a regular or permanent residence permit is open to you, that is what changes the mortgage picture.

Rent well in the meantime and use the buy-vs-rent tool to plan for the long run.

Start by pinning down your status

Your residence status is the single biggest factor, and it decides the answer before income even comes up. It is worth getting clear on first.

Read how lenders treat each residency type to find where you fit.

Check the exact purpose and validity on your residence permit — the purpose matters more than how long you have been here.

If you are on temporary protection, our dedicated guide covers your situation directly.

Once your status is clear, come back and run the check again.

Mortgage Calculator

Buy vs. Rent

How Much Can You Borrow?

Understanding Closing Costs

First-Time Buyer Guide

Mortgages & Residency Status

Buying Under Temporary Protection

Do You Need a Mortgage Advisor?