de sleutel tot ieders droomhuis

FAQ for buying a house in the Netherlands

12 september 2019

Buying a house in the Netherlands might not be not like anything you may know from buying a house in another country. We have collected a few answers to questions you might be struggling with in this FAQ.

Why should I buy a house in the Netherlands?

Because it is the most beautiful country in the world! In all seriousness, you have real ownership when you buy a house – you are in full control of renovations and decoration changes. A house can be a smart investment with tax benefits and other financial incentives.

Am I allowed to buy a house as a foreigner?

Yes. There are no restrictions on who may buy a house in the Netherlands.

What should I pay attention to when looking for a house?

There are a lot of questions you should be asking yourself before buying a house. We collected those in this blog.

Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner?

Yes, you can. Mortgages are capped at 100% of the property value, but you need to take into account additional costs.

How can I apply for a mortgage?

After your offer is accepted, you can apply for a mortgage. When preparing your mortgage application the mortgage advisor will need the following information from you:

  • Personal information
  • Information about the to be mortgaged property
  • Information to substantiate your financial position

What happens when my bid is accepted?

Both buyer and seller sign a residential property sales contract. As per the Dutch law, a notary (‘notaris’) handles the transfer and registers the property transfer at the land registry office (‘kadaster’) to complete the process.

What additional costs are there?

As a rule of thumb, the buyer’s costs usually amount to around 6% of the purchase price for the immovable property. As a buyer you will have to pay property transfer tax (‘overdrachtsbelasting’; 2%), notary costs (approximately € 1500) and costs for a translator (approximately € 300).

Can I withdraw an offer?

Yes. There is a cooling down period of three days (‘bedenktijd’) in which the buyer can legally cancel the agreement. Most contracts also contain a clause in which the buyer can withdraw should they be unable to secure a mortgage.

Can I claim a tax refund on this purchase?

Yes, you can! In the Netherlands paid interest regarding the mortgage of your main residence is still tax-deductible for a maximum of 30 years (Tax Box 1). Main requirement: the mortgage is a capital repayment mortgage.