Buying a home in the Netherlands

Before you start

There are no general restrictions on foreigners buying a home in the Netherlands. What matters most is your mortgage: how much you can borrow and on which terms. These are the things to arrange early.

The buying process, step by step

From your first budget check to the moment you hold the keys, this is the route most purchases follow.

1. 1

   Budget and mortgage

   Speak to a mortgage advisor and find out what you can borrow. Include the extra costs of buying in your budget from the start.

2. 2

   Search and viewings

   Most homes appear on Funda. Viewings are short, so prepare your questions and check the state of the home, the energy label and, for apartments, the owners’ association.

3. 3

   Making an offer

   You bid through the seller’s agent. Offers above the asking price are common in popular areas, while the bank lends on the valued price, not on what you offer.

4. 4

   Conditions

   Agree on conditions for financing and, if needed, a building inspection. They let you cancel the purchase without a penalty if they are not met.

5. 5

   The purchase contract

   Once you agree, the purchase contract is signed, followed by a three-day cooling-off period. You usually provide a 10% deposit or bank guarantee.

6. 6

   Notary and keys

   After a final inspection you sign the deed at the notary. The home is registered in your name at the Land Registry and you get the keys.

Costs to budget for

Asking prices are usually kosten koper: the costs of the transfer are paid by the buyer, on top of the price. Most of these costs cannot be included in your mortgage, so plan them in your savings.

Dutch terms explained

A short dictionary of the words that come up during a purchase.

Kosten koper (k.k.)

Costs for the buyer

Transfer tax and notary fees are paid by the buyer, on top of the asking price.

Vraagprijs

Asking price

The price the seller asks. In a busy market it is the starting point for negotiations.

Bieden

Making an offer

Your offer goes to the seller’s agent, who can accept it, reject it or make a counter-offer.

Inschrijving

Bidding round

Every interested buyer makes one final offer before a deadline, and the seller chooses.

Ontbindende voorwaarden

Conditions

Agreed conditions, such as financing, that let you cancel the purchase without a penalty.

Bouwkundige keuring

Building inspection

An independent check of the construction and condition of the home.

Taxatie

Valuation

An independent valuation of the home, required by your lender.

Koopovereenkomst

Purchase contract

The signed agreement between buyer and seller, usually in Dutch.

Bedenktijd

Cooling-off period

Three days after signing in which private buyers can cancel without giving a reason.

Waarborgsom

Deposit

Usually 10% of the price, held by the notary until the transfer. A bank guarantee (bankgarantie) can replace it.

VvE

Owners’ association

For apartments: the association that manages and maintains the building. Check its finances and plans.

Energielabel

Energy label

Shows how energy-efficient the home is, on a scale from A++++ to G.

Eindinspectie

Final inspection

A last check of the home just before the transfer at the notary.

Akte van levering

Deed of transfer

The notarial deed that makes you the legal owner of the home.

Kadaster

Land Registry

The public register where the ownership of every home is recorded.

Funda

Funda

The largest website with homes for sale in the Netherlands.