Dutch households to gain slightly more mortgage borrowing capacity in 2027

From 2027, almost all Dutch households will be able to borrow slightly more to buy a home, the government says. The increase will vary by household income, and a higher mortgage interest rate could limit the extra borrowing capacity.

The government says the Netherlands’ Central Planning Bureau (CPB) expects average incomes to rise by 3.7% in 2027, allowing most households to borrow more. Mortgage lending limits are reviewed annually on the basis of advice from the National Institute for Family Finance Information (Nibud).

The CPB, the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and De Nederlandsche Bank are monitoring the lending limits and access to the housing market. They consider major changes to the limits undesirable at this stage, the government says. More generous limits could expose buyers to greater financial risks and push house prices higher; tighter limits could leave fewer people able to buy.

The three bodies point to increasing the supply of homes as one way to improve access. The government says its action plan to accelerate housebuilding contains 50 measures to build more homes, faster and better. Details of the lending limits were set out in a letter to parliament by Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan on behalf of Finance Minister Eelco Heinen.