NHG in the Netherlands

NHG (Nationale Hypotheek Garantie) provides additional security when buying a home in the Netherlands and may help you qualify for a lower mortgage interest rate. Whether NHG is suitable depends on your financial situation and the value of the property.

Understand your options
How the National Mortgage Guarantee works

What is NHG?

NHG (National Mortgage Guarantee) is a mortgage guarantee provided by the Dutch Homeownership Guarantee Fund (Waarborgfonds Eigen Woningen), with financial backing from the Dutch government. It reduces the financial risk for the lender, which is why many lenders offer a lower interest rate for mortgages with NHG.

In addition, NHG provides a safety net if your financial situation changes due to circumstances such as unemployment, divorce, disability or the loss of a partner.

In certain situations, NHG may help you manage your mortgage or limit potential debt. Eligibility depends on your income, the mortgage amount and the NHG conditions that apply at the time of purchase.

Key benefits for homeowners

Why is NHG useful?

NHG is designed to make homeownership more financially manageable and reduce risks for both you and the lender. Main benefits:

  • Lower mortgage interest rate: Many lenders offer a lower interest rate for mortgages with NHG, which may reduce your monthly costs over time.
  • Extra financial security: NHG provides a safety net if your financial situation changes unexpectedly.
  • Support in difficult situations: If you experience payment difficulties, NHG works together with your lender to find solutions where possible.
  • Potential protection against residual debt: In specific situations, NHG may help limit or cover a remaining debt after selling your home, provided all conditions are met.
A selection of our trusted partners

Our partners

a.s.r. ABN AMRO Aegon Allianz ASN Bank Duitse Volksbank Centraal Beheer ING Lloyds Bank Nationale Nederlanden NIBC Rabobank
NHG eligibility for expats

Can expats qualify for NHG in the Netherlands?

Expats may qualify for NHG, but eligibility depends partly on their nationality and residency status. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals generally meet the nationality requirements, while non-EU applicants must satisfy specific residence permit conditions.

A permanent residence permit or a permit for a non-temporary purpose may qualify. Applicants with temporary residence permits can face additional restrictions, particularly when their income is needed to meet the mortgage requirements.

A mortgage advisor can help determine whether your residency documents and financial situation meet the applicable NHG conditions.

Get personalised advice on NHG eligibility
Costs, limits and eligibility in 2026

What does NHG cost and what are the conditions?

NHG comes with a one-off fee, but may also reduce your overall mortgage costs through a lower interest rate. In 2026, the standard NHG limit is €470,000. For eligible energy-saving improvements, you may borrow up to €498,200, provided the amount above the standard limit is used entirely for qualifying energy-saving measures.

The NHG fee is 0.4% of the total mortgage amount and is paid once when arranging your mortgage. This cost is tax-deductible if the mortgage is used for your primary residence.

Whether NHG is available depends on your income, the property value and whether your mortgage meets NHG requirements.

How NHG supports you in difficult circumstances

What happens if your situation changes?

NHG is designed to support homeowners if their financial situation changes unexpectedly, for example due to unemployment, divorce, disability or the loss of a partner. If you run into payment difficulties, NHG may help you and your lender find a suitable solution, such as restructuring your mortgage or preventing further financial problems.

In some cases, if you are forced to sell your home and a debt remains, NHG may help cover or reduce this residual debt. NHG may waive the remaining mortgage debt if you meet its conditions, including having acted in good faith and fully cooperated in limiting the financial loss.

NHG does not replace your responsibility as a homeowner, but it can provide an important safety net.

Find out if NHG is right for you
Learn more about EVR Group