1Can expats buy property in the Netherlands?
The short answer is yes. The Netherlands does not place any restrictions on the purchase of property by foreigners, whether resident or non-resident. However, to get a mortgage you must live and be registered in the Netherlands. If you are from a country in the EU, EEA or Switzerland you do not need a visa to live or work in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, you will need to apply for a residence permit and a national identification number – called a BSN. Be aware that you can only apply for permanent residence in the Netherlands after living in the country for five years and some banks may not provide non-permanent residents a mortgage covering the highest percentage of the purchase price.
2 What kind of information does QuickHypotheek require from me?
We would like to obtain as much relevant information from you as possible so that the bank can make as informed a decision as possible about whether they are confident in giving you a mortgage. This information includes your age, your annual earnings, your household income, how much money you have saved for a deposit, the length of your stay in Germany, the likelihood you will stay for shorter or longer periods of time, whether you will live in the property or if you anticipate renting it out, the likelihood that your income will increase and how quickly, and whether this kind of investment is the right fit for you.
3How does QH works exactly?
As we step through the process, every question that we ask determines the kind of mortgage that best fits your situation. By narrowing the parameters, question by question, QuickHypotheek determines which mortgage offerings (a) will be available to you and (b) which mortgage offerings will be most suitable for your financial situation. For example, we will ask you if and how you expect your income to grow over time. This can affect which mortgage products are the best fit, because certain mortgages, for example, may have different repayment processes, with interest and lump-sum repayment rates at different ratios over the lifetime of the mortgage. All of your responses will influence how we go about getting the best possible loan product for you.
4Can you tell me more about how QuickHypotheek calculates a client’s suitability for a mortgage product?
A potential client’s ability to pay the mortgage is central. Other elements, such as whether the client has collateral – property in another country, for example, and therefore more leverage in acquiring a better product, can also be determined. We consider factors such as your age, the ability to pay, whether this might improve over time, and what term length the client prefers. Stress tests are undertaken at QuickHypotheek to determine what our clients can afford, even if the situation were to take a bad turn for them financially. The ultimate decision is made by the client but being forearmed is forewarned and we want our clients to make the choice of mortgage in as informed an environment as possible. Property buying is, after all, one of the most important financial decisions a person can make in the course of their lifetime.
5Is QuickHypotheek tied to any bank or mortgage provider?
No.QuickHypotheek is completely independent, allowing us to find the best possible mortgage for you from the widest choice of mortgage providers.
6How long does it take to get a mortgage via QuickHypotheek?
On average, the complete process should take somewhere between 2-4 weeks. However, this does depend in part on how quickly you are able to provide and upload all the information which is needed to assess your application.
7What documents do I need?
You will need a variety of documents, depending on your individual situation, and some of them may be in Dutch. The list includes: Employers statement, which outlines the terms of your employment contract Salary slip - showing your gross and net salary Copy of your passport and residency permit Recent bank statements Valuation report Proof of any additional assets Additional documents which may be required by the mortgage lender
8What about privacy? How secure is QuickHypotheek?
QuickHypotheek takes your privacy very seriously indeed and complies fully with all the appropriate legislation.
9How much can I borrow?
As a rule of thumb, you can borrow 4.5 times your gross annual income, including holiday pay and regular bonuses. If you are buying a house with a partner, 90% of the partner's gross annual income can be added to the total. Different rules apply if you are self-employed, and if you have the 30% ruling, you can borrow more. In all, it can be complicated. If you want a better idea of the maximum you can borrow, you can raise this during your online meeting with one of our advisors.
10What type of mortgages are available in the Netherlands?
There are lots of different sorts of mortgages available in the Netherlands, but only two allow you to deduct your mortgage interest payments from tax - the annuity mortgage (annuïteitenhypotheek) and the linear mortgage (lineaire hypotheek).
11What is an annuity mortgage?
An annuity mortgage, also known as a repayment mortgage, is the most common type. The lender works out the amount you need to repay each month to clear your mortgage by the end of an agreed term. Your monthly repayment is made up of two parts: An interest payment on the loan (will reduce over time) A capital repayment (increases over time) In the early years, most of your repayments will go toward paying off the interest on your mortgage. But as your mortgage reduces, the interest part of the repayment goes down. So as time goes on, more of your monthly repayments go toward paying off the capital. You can usually choose either a variable rate or a fixed rate annuity mortgage or in some cases a mixture of both (known as a split rate). In the early years of the mortgage period, the annuities mortgage usually has lower monthly payments than a linear mortgage.
12What is a linear mortgage?
The linear mortgage repayment is made up of two parts: An interest payment on the loan (will reduce over time) A capital repayment (fixed amount per month) With a linear mortgage, you repay the mortgage loan by a fixed amount every month. On top of this you pay interest, but the interest payments will reduce over time since you are gradually paying off the mortgage loan. A linear mortgage can be useful for people who wish to repay their mortgage as quickly as possible and who are expecting a reduction in income sometime in the future.
13What about other types of mortgage?
There are several other types of mortgage in the Netherlands, but if you use them, you will not be entitled to mortgage tax relief. An interest-only mortgage (aflossingsvrije hypotheek) is a mortgage in which you only pay interest on the loan and agree to repay the capital at the end of the mortgage period from savings or investment accounts. -A credit mortgage (krediethypotheek) is a flexible mortgage. You pay monthly interest on the amount you borrow, which depends on the value of your house. -A savings mortgage or guaranteed life insurance mortgage (spaarhypotheek) is linked to a life insurance policy with a guaranteed return. The interest you get on your premium is equal to the interest you pay; hence you are 100% sure that your mortgage will be repaid at the end of the mortgage term. -A Guaranteed Savings Account mortgage (bankspaarhypotheek) offers a high level of security. With a bankspaarhypotheek you will save money at a fixed rate. This rate is equal to the mortgage interest rate, and at the end of the term you will be sure that you have saved enough money to repay the mortgage loan. -A hybrid mortgage (hybride hypotheek) is a combination of interest-only, savings and investment mortgages. You make interest payments but you have flexibility in how you generate the capital to repay the loan. During the course of the mortgage term, you can switch between saving and investing, taking advantage of low-interest rates and investment opportunities, or seeking less risk in a savings account.
14What are the costs when buying a house in the Netherlands?
Normally you need to reserve around 5% of the cost of the house to pay for all the other items associated with buying a house. But not everything is mandatory, and most are negotiable. The possible costs include: Transfer tax (Overdrachtsbelasting): 2% of the purchase price (non-negotiable), for the over-35s buying a house to live in rather than as a buy-to-let investment. There is no transfer tax for first-time buyers under the age of 35. Transfer contract (leveringsakte): usually between €500 and €1000 – the price is negotiable with the notary Mortgage contract (hypotheekakte): usually between €500 and €1000 – the price is negotiable and the cost is tax deductible Mortgage arrangement costs: the fee you pay your mortgage broker. Estate agent fee (makelaarscourtage): If you used an estate agent to negotiate the sale on your behalf, you will have to pay a fee. This varies a lot and therefore negotiable but is usually between 0.85% en 1.25%. • Valuation (taxatierapport): around €500 and tax deductible. • Technical report (bouwkundigrapport): around €500 and not essential, though recommended for older houses. You may also be asked to reimburse current owner for housing taxes (rioolrecht, OZB, afvalstoffenheffing) they have paid up front for the whole year.
15What are the annual recurring costs home owners face in the Netherlands?
Interest paid on your mortgage (tax deductible for maximum 30 years depending on the type of mortgage) Repayments of the mortgage principle, depending on the type of mortgage. House insurance is mandatory unless arranged by the VVE (home owners association). The size of the premium depends on the cost of rebuilding the property. Property tax (OZB taxes) – these vary per municipality and depend on the official value of the property (WOZ). Waste tax (afvalstoffenheffing) – varies per municipality Sewage charges (rioolheffing) – varies per municipality Gas, water, electricity, internet, television usage costs – these obviously vary a lot per household and supplier. The home owners levy or eigenwoningforfait is basically a small percentage of the official value of your property which is added to your income and taxed.
16Which mortgage costs are tax deductible?
If you own a property in the Netherlands and you use it as your main residence, then you may be able to claim tax relief on your interest payments. In 2021, the maximum against which you can deduct the mortgage interest is 43% and the maximum period you can claim for is 30 years.
If you live in a leasehold property, you can also deduct the cost of ‘renting’ the land on which your property has been built (erfpacht) from tax.
17What else should I take into account when choosing a mortgage?
There are several areas in which mortgages differ and which you should think about when deciding which mortgage to pick. Is it possible to make extra repayments of the principal? Are there fines for making extra repayments? Can you agree to borrow more than you actually take out, so you have money in reserve to pay for improvements in the future? Can you take the mortgage with you when you move to another house (verhuisregeling)?
18Which fixed-rate term should I choose for my mortgage?
The most popular fixed mortgage rate is 10 years, but you can go for as little as one or as high as 30. Take into account how long you expect to stay in the Netherlands and, how important it is that you know what you will pay in the future.
19How much extra can I repay every year without paying a penalty?
The exact conditions for (extra) repaying your mortgage vary from bank to bank, but typically in the Netherlands, you can make a 10% extra repayment of the principal without running into extra costs.
20How much cash down payment do I need?
In theory none. But given that the maximum amount you can borrow may not exceed 100% of the value of the property you will need around 5% of the purchase price in cash or savings to cover all the costs associated with buying a home.
21What is the National Mortgage Guarantee scheme (Nationale Hypotheek Garantie or NHG)?
The NHG is a government scheme that covers homeowners’ losses if they have to sell their house for less than the outstanding mortgage because of divorce, illness or unemployment. Homeowners pay a surcharge of 0.7% on their mortgage to cover the cost of the scheme, but are often able to borrow at lower rates because of the reduced risk. In 2021, the scheme covers properties of up to €325,000.
22Is life insurance compulsory when taking out a mortgage?
Life insurance is compulsory if you have an NHG mortgage, or a mortgage which falls under the National Mortgage Guarantee scheme. In most other cases it is not. A life insurance policy is a straightforward product. It covers a certain amount for a certain period of time and will pay out if the insured person dies within this period. It can cover two lives or just one, depending on the situation.
23Do I need to put down a deposit?
All sellers will ask for a financial guarantee in the form of a 10% deposit. You must deposit these funds in cash into a notary’s escrow account. If you don’t have the cash, you can instead provide a bank guarantee, which is a note that guarantees that the bank or lender will pay the deposit if you break the contract. If you decide to cancel the buying agreement without a valid reason – meaning one that was agreed upon in your preliminary purchase agreement – the seller will get to keep the deposit.
24How does the home buying transaction close?
When everything is agreed upon and the contract is final, it’s time to close the deal. First, you’ll want to inspect your new property to make sure it’s in the condition you expected it to be in. Then, both parties will go to a civil law notary to settle the purchase. The notary will legally transfer the ownership of the property to you and pay the seller.
25EMP How much can I finance and what costs will I pay upfront?
In the Netherlands, you can finance up to 100% of the market value of your house. That means that some costs involved in buying the house must be paid out-of-pocket. You can read more about financing here. EMP
26What if I want to let the house I buy with a mortgage?
Most basic mortgages are meant for houses you will occupy yourself. This means you can’t just rent out the house for long periods of time. If you want to buy a house only to rent it out you can opt for a special buy-to-let mortgage, but these mortgages have higher interest rates than a normal mortgage. Furthermore you will have to invest some of your own money, because you can’t finance the entire house with a buy-to-let mortgage.
27Can I get mortgage without permanent contract?

Buying a house is not always easy for flex workers or someone with a temporary contract. What are the possibilities? And what should you pay attention to? We list this for you. Mortgage with a temporary contract

With a temporary contract you often have a good chance of a mortgage. If you have a contract for a specified period, but you are eligible for a permanent contract, you can ask your employer for a declaration of intent. With this, your employer indicates that – without changes in your performance and within the company – you will receive a permanent contract following this contract. With this statement you will get a mortgage sooner than without.

Do you not have a declaration of intent?

Then the bank looks at your average gross annual income from the last three calendar years. For example, if you have earned € 22,000, € 30,000, and € 18,000, then the average is € 23,000. However, because the last calendar year was lower, that amount is taken as the starting point.

Mortgage as a temporary worker

Do you work as a temporary employee via, for example, Randstand or Tempo-Team? Then you can request a statement of employment prospects. The bank will then not only include your income in the calculation of your maximum mortgage, but also your job prospects. You are eligible for a statement of employment prospects if you have been working for at least one year from the same employment agency.

28I have a (student loan) debt

Did you build up a student loan debt at DUO during your studies, and do you really want to buy a house now? Or have you built up a debt in another way? Good news: it is still possible to take out a mortgage with a (student loan) debt. How much can I borrow with a (student loan) debt?

To find out, the mortgage provider takes into account the amount that you repay each month and the interest on your debt. In the case of a student loan, it is also checked as to whether your loan falls under the old or the new loan system. If you fall under the old system, your study debt counts for 0.75% in your monthly charges’ assessment. In the new system this percentage is 0.45%. Based on this, the lender calculates how much you can pay per month and thus how much you can borrow in total. This can make a difference in tens of thousands of euros in your total mortgage amount. Freek is happy to help you calculate your maximum mortgage.

Do I have to report my (student loan) debt?

Do you have a debt between € 500 and € 175,000 with a minimum duration of 3 months? Then your debt is registered with the BKR (Credit Registration Office). This means that lenders are aware of your debt. You do not have to separately report your debt.

A student loan at DUO is not registered with the BKR and is therefore not known to the lender. Do you have a student loan debt? Then it is mandatory to report this. We therefore advise you to be honest about this, because then you are sure that you are responsibly taking out a loan and that later you can actually pay your mortgage every month.

Is it smart to first pay off my (student loan) debt? Student loan Because the interest rate on your student loan is low, it may not seem attractive to pay it off all at once. If you want to buy a house, it can still be wise to do so. Have you reported your student loan debt to your mortgage provider? If so, then they look at the total amount of your student loan debt, even if you have already repaid 90%, for example. By repaying the last part in one go, you free up a lot of mortgage space.

Other debt

You can also choose to pay off your debt through a mortgage. You then increase your existing mortgage or take out a new mortgage. Because your mortgage increases, money is released to repay your existing debts. As a result, you pay a lower amount per month, the mortgage interest currently being lower than the loan interest.

29What is a bouwdepot?

When you want to renovate your home, it is possible to finance this renovation with a bouwdepot. A bouwdepot – or construction deposit – is essentially a home renovation loan from a mortgage company as part of your Dutch mortgage. This means that, in addition to borrowing money to purchase the property when buying a new home, part of the mortgage will be received later down the line if, for example, you want to build an extension or upgrade your kitchen — you don’t have to worry about taking out an additional renovation loan.

Additionally, it is possible to get an appraisal value based on the after-construction state of the property. This means it will be possible to get a mortgage of 100% of the market value after construction.

But although over 60% of the Dutch population have mortgages, there are many expats that don’t know about the bouwdepot.

30How does a bouwdepot work?

When you take out a mortgage in the Netherlands, you can arrange for a portion of the money that you borrow to remain in a deposit account with the bank for future use as a loan to fix up your house. A valuation report which estimates the construction costs, and you need to specify to the bank what the money will be used for, and what the cost will be per construction job.

This deposit is for when you receive invoices from a construction company. You must spend it within two years. A bouwdepot is not usually in cash — depending on your mortgage company’s procedures, you can either get reimbursements after paying the invoice yourself or you can declare the invoice and use the deposit money to pay the invoice.

An additional bonus to the bouwdepot is that you receive interest on it while it sits unused in the account. This offsets the interest on your mortgage repayments. Interest also accrues on money left on the bouwdepot during the first 18 months of its use.

Additionally, it is possible to get an appraisal value based on the after-construction state of the property. This means it will be possible to get a mortgage of 100% of the market value after construction.

But although over 60% of the Dutch population have mortgages, there are many expats that don’t know about the bouwdepot.

31What can you use a bouwdepot for?

You can use a construction deposit for construction and renovation work on your home. For example, it could be used to build an extension, to convert an area of your home (e.g., a loft), to refit or refurbish a room (e.g., a new bathroom), to replace fixed items (e.g., doors or windows), to cover decoration costs, or to carry out work on your garden. Funds are for materials and labor costs. Using the construction deposit for an electrician or a new floor tiling is fine; a new sofa or a shower curtain is not possible.

Plans are usually agreed with the mortgage adviser before purchase and are in an agreement along with cost estimates. It’s fine to deviate slightly from plans or spend a little bit under or over. However, large-scale changes are not possible.

32How much can you borrow?

our bouwdepot construction deposit can be for large or small renovations. Some mortgage companies may have a minimum threshold (e.g., €2,500). The maximum amount will depend on a few different factors:

The mortgage you have. The construction deposit is part of your mortgage rather than being a separate loan. The maximum mortgage you can have in 2018 is 100% of your home’s market value. This can be the market value after construction when the future construction is in the valuation report.

The extent of the positive impact on the value of your property following the renovations. The maximum mortgage based on your income. How much you are financing the renovations out of own savings.

33The steps necessary to arrange a bouwdepot

To take advantage of a convenient home renovation loan with a bouwdepot, follow these five simple steps.

  • First, speak to your mortgage adviser. The mortgage adviser knows about the specific requirements of each bank regarding the construction deposit. Do this during your mortgage application process, although some mortgage companies allow you to take out a bouwdepot as an increase on your mortgage post-purchase.
  • Second, specify what you want to use your construction deposit for and how much you intend to spend on each part of the renovation.
  • Third, when you want to activate your bouwdepot, notify your mortgage company.
  • Fourth, complete the renovation work.
  • Fifth, send the bills to your mortgage company (or pay and send invoices/receipts for reimbursements).

    If you’re an expat looking to buy property in the Netherlands, it might be worth thinking ahead when it comes to financing home renovations and speaking to your mortgage adviser about a construction deposit.

    • 34What happens to my mortgage in the event of death?

    It’s important that everything is properly arranged when you take out your mortgage, even if you or your partner pass away unexpectedly. Think about questions such as: are you able to pay the mortgage without your partner? Will you leave your surviving relatives behind with a debt if you die? What do you want to happen to your possessions? These are all issues to think about beforehand.

    Can you or your partner pay the monthly mortgage payments alone? Consider in advance as to whether you or your partner will be able to pay the monthly mortgage payments alone. As a surviving relative you often receive a survivor’s pension, but this is not as much as your partner earned. Do you have children under the age of 18? Then you will also receive a half-orphan’s benefit.

    Am I leaving behind a huge mortgage debt? Most people have a life insurance policy. In this case, the portion of the mortgage debt of the deceased is repaid in one go by the insurance. This reduces the monthly costs for the surviving relative.

    What happens to my possessions in the event of death? In your will you can indicate what happens to your things after your death. But you can also, for example, safeguard the guardianship of your children. If you do not have a will, your estate will follow the rules of the legal laws of inheritance. In that case, your heirs are automatically entitled to your estate. Inheritance tax

    Are you leaving an inheritance? In that case, the surviving relatives must pay tax on this after your death. To keep this tax as low as possible, you can set out a number of issues in your will. Freek is happy to explain all the options.

    35Can I get a mortgage in my current PhD situation?
    The likelihood of obtaining a mortgage during your PhD research depends on your situation. There are 3 situations to consider:

    1. You have been working on your PhD research for 3 years or longer Has your PhD research been running for 3 years, and do you have 3 annual statements that are indicative of this? If so, then you’re eligible to apply for a flex income-based mortgage. If the purchase price is below the NHG limit (€ 355,000), you are also eligible for an NHG mortgage.

    2. You have been working on your PhD research for less than 3 years, and can obtain a statement of intent Because the average doctoral research takes between 4 to 5 years, any employment contract is usually of a temporary nature. As a result, obtaining a statement of intent for PhD students is not standard.

    There are of course exceptions: you may have already agreed that you will remain affiliated to the university or your employer. Always ask if you are eligible for a statement of intent.

    If the purchase price is below the NHG limit (€ 325,000), you can use a statement of intent to become eligible for an NHG mortgage. Is the purchase price above the NHG limit? If so, then extra motivation may be required. Discuss this thoroughly together with your advisor.

    3. You have been working on your PhD research for less than 3 years and cannot obtain a statement of intent When you can obtain a statement of intent and are not yet able to submit 3 annual statements, this does not necessarily mean that you cannot get a mortgage. There are certainly a number of options left.

    For example, there are several lenders who maintain a special policy for PhD students. We will then look at your specific situation: for example, which field you are obtaining your PhD in, and whether you can show that there is a solid future perspective in the employment market. In many situations, you will still be able to qualify for a mortgage.

    11. Financial orientation
    Buying a house in the Netherlands is a complex process and you need to consider a whole range of aspects, such as how much can you borrow on a mortgage, and how much should be your own investment.
    22. Searching and viewing properties within your budget

    Some important Dutch quirks to take into account when buying an apartment:

    There is a difference between a single-family home and an apartment. In an apartment building Association of Owners (VVE) share ownership of the building (VvE Vereniging van Eigenaren) (owners association) and own the apartment – responsible for the upkeep of the building/communal areas with other owners – monthly payments/pot.

    However, VvEs are notorious for getting into debt or being poorly run and can make decisions on structural issues difficult. It is a good idea to check the terms and conditions of the property division regulations (splitsingsreglement) before you buy.

    Especially in the big cities, the property may also come with a leasehold (erfpacht), which means that you must pay an amount to be able to use the land. You usually pay this per year.

    33. Have a valuation (structural survey is optional)

    Although not required when buying a home in the Netherlands, you will need an appraisal report (taxatierapport) to obtain a mortgage. Such an appraisal is carried out by a valuer (taxateur). You will have to pay for this.

    A structural survey is also a good idea as part of the contract. An independent expert will identify any potential problems and give you an estimate of the repair costs. This could result in you negotiating a lower purchase price.

    44. Making an offer preferably with a financing clause
    A purchase agreement outlines terms and conditions between a buyer and a seller like the property’s purchase price, the date of delivery, termination clauses, and any financial clauses. The moment you sign the agreement, the deal comes into force. Good to know that you have three days (cooling-off period) to cancel the purchase agreement. After the cooling-off period, the financial clause comes into place.

    Financial clause

    You don’t get pre-approval from a bank in the Netherlands. The financial clause allows the buyer to arrange a mortgage within a given time frame, for example, six weeks. If a mortgage lender does not approve the finances, you cannot go through with the agreement, and you can cancel it. The financial clause protects the buying party. If you don’t put in a clause in which the deal is subject to getting a mortgage approved, you oblige to going through with the transaction. If you don’t have the funds available, the seller can hold you liable for 10% of the purchase price.

    Purchase agreement with a financial clause

    The financial clause protects you, the buyer, from losing 10% of the purchase price if you cannot get a mortgage approved. It gives you the freedom to walk away from the deal.

    Rejection for a mortgage application

    It’s crucial to keep in mind the different requirements that each lender has for their mortgage applicants. When a mortgage application is rejected, you can move forward with another mortgage lender, or you can decide to cancel the purchase agreement. When you choose to work with us, we make sure to assess your options and tell you beforehand if it’s feasible to move forward. If you signed a purchase agreement with a financial clause and the mortgage is not approved, you don’t need to pay a deposit to the seller because you use the financial clause to cancel the agreement.

    Purchase agreement without a financial clause

    When you sign the agreement without putting in a financial clause, the seller is more protected than you. If you do not get your finances in place before the handover date, the deal fails, and a seller receives 10% of the property price.
    55. Sign preliminary buying contract
    Whenever you agree to buy a house, you can cancel the deal within three working days, without giving a reason and without it costing you a cent. The cooling-off period starts just after midnight the day after you received the signed purchase agreement. If you do decide to pull out, you need to inform the seller (and to be on the safe side, the seller’s real estate agent as well) before the cooling-off period expires. Weekends and official public holidays don’t count towards the three-day period. It’s best to send a letter or a confirming email (and/or even a Whatsapp with blue ticks) to avoid discussions at a later date.
    66. Transfer 10% of the purchase price to the seller's notary
    The preliminary purchase contract usually requires that you or your mortgage provider transfer 10% of the purchase price to the seller’s notary as a deposit (waarborgsom). If you back out of the contract without a valid reason, this deposit will be transferred to the seller. Remember that if the bank has paid the deposit, you will be required to transfer this amount to them. You will also have to pay for a bank guarantee, which depends on the deposit amount.
    77. Arrange your mortgage
    88. Hire a notary
    Buying a home in The Netherlands is safeguarded by legal processes. A notary (notaris) acts as a legal mediator between seller and buyer, drawing up the deeds to sign. A notary is necessary for the sale of houses in the Netherlands. They will investigate whether the property can be sold by the seller, the registration in the Land Registry and other legal requirements. They also discuss the mortgage deed with you and update the Land Registry and mortgage register with your name. You choose your own notary when buying property in the Netherlands. At notaristarieven.nl and notaris.nl you can find out more about what the notary does (in Dutch) and compare prices for different services. You can also ask your property agent to advise you.
    99. Sign the contract at notary

    On the closing date you will visit the property with the seller’s estate agent. Your property agent can also accompany you. During this visit, you should check that the home has been left as agreed. This will also include gas and electricity meter readings. If everything is in order you will sign the transfer deeds at the notary with the seller, making you the legal owner. Here you will also sign the mortgage deeds.

    After shaking hands, you will get the keys and be able to move into your new home.

    1010. Moving into your new home

    If you are moving in with your partner you may also want to set out a cohabitation agreement (samenlevingscontract) while you are at the notary. As non-married or non-registered partners have less legal protection in the Netherlands, it is important to arrange the main issues yourself, such as the financial contributions or ownership for the property.

    It is common practice in the Netherlands to sell houses unfurnished, including without floors, although this depends on the movable goods agreement. This means you may also need to do some renovations or DIY before you can move in properly. You can then register your new address with the Gemeente.