How Much Can I Borrow?
Calculate the maximum personal loan you can take based on your net income and existing obligations. Based on VFN Gedragscode / Nibud norms used by Dutch lenders.
Estimate only. Actual capacity depends on your credit history (BKR), employer type, and the individual lender's assessment. Compare live rates at geld.nl before applying.
Maximum Loan Amount
€ 0
existing obligations exceed your borrowing limit
Monthly payment
€ 0
Total repayment
€ 0
Total interest
€ 0
Income allocation
How it's calculated
| Total net income | € 3.000/mo |
| Obligation limit (30% of income) | € 900/mo |
| Housing costs | −€ 900/mo |
| Existing loan payments | −€ 0/mo |
| Available for new loan | € 0/mo |
| Loan term | 60 months |
| Interest rate | 6.5% / year |
| Max loan amount | € 0 |
How Dutch lending limits are set
In the Netherlands, your maximum loan is primarily determined by your income, not by what you want to buy. Lenders use income norms published by Nibud (Nationaal Instituut voor Budgetvoorlichting) and the VFN to set a maximum monthly payment as a percentage of your net income.
At lower incomes (around 1,500 euros per month net), about 20% of income can go toward financial obligations. As income rises, this percentage increases gradually to around 35% for incomes above 4,000 euros per month. The tables shift slightly each year.
Worked example
60,000 euros gross annual salary, one existing loan of 350 euros/month
Gross income
60.000
per year
Max housing cost
~1.750
euros/month (≈35%)
Minus car loan
1.400
euros/month available for mortgage
Max mortgage
~270.000
euros at 4%, 25 years
Without the car loan, the same income qualifies for roughly 337,000 euros. That 350 euro monthly payment reduces borrowing capacity by about 67,000 euros.
What reduces your borrowing capacity
Existing loans and credit cards
SignificantEach euro of monthly debt repayment reduces your maximum loan payment by roughly the same amount. A 350 euro car payment can cut your borrowing capacity by 70,000 euros or more.
Unused credit card limits
ModerateDutch lenders count a portion of your unused credit card limit as potential debt. Closing cards you do not use can modestly increase your borrowing capacity.
Self-employment income
MaterialFor ZZP and self-employed income, lenders typically use 70% of the average of the last three years. Irregular income or recent business losses can reduce what you qualify for significantly.
Toetsrente (stress test rate)
Always appliesLenders must use a minimum calculation rate (toetsrente) set by the AFM, currently around 5%, even if actual rates are lower. This ensures you can still afford repayments if rates rise.
Maximum is a ceiling, not a target
Lenders will approve you for the maximum their model allows. That does not mean you should borrow it. The Nibud norms are designed so that at the maximum amount, you can afford the payment if rates rise to around 5% and your income stays flat.
Most financial advisors suggest staying 10 to 20% below the maximum if possible. That buffer gives you room for an unexpected expense, a period of reduced income, or a rising rate environment.
Also worth considering: how does the monthly payment fit into your actual budget? Use the Mortgage Calculator to see the monthly cost, then plug that into the Cash Flow Calculator to see what is left. Affordability on paper and affordability in real life are sometimes different numbers.
Buying with a partner
When two people borrow together, lenders typically take 100% of the higher income and 90% of the lower income to calculate the maximum. The exact rules vary by lender, but combining incomes almost always increases borrowing capacity significantly.
Keep in mind that both incomes need to be sustainable. If one partner plans to reduce working hours in the next few years, factor that into your calculations now rather than after you have committed to the loan.
Looking for your maximum mortgage instead?
This calculator estimates personal loan capacity. For buying a home, your maximum works differently — up to 4.5× your gross annual income via the NIBUD tables.
Mortgage Calculator Netherlands →Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow with my salary?
Dutch lenders allow 20–35% of your net monthly income to go toward all financial obligations combined (housing, existing loans, and the new loan). With a net income of €3,000/month and €900 rent, roughly €0–€150/month is available at the 30% tier — while at €4,000+ net the 35% tier applies. Enter your numbers in the calculator above for your exact estimate.
How much can I borrow for a mortgage in the Netherlands?
Mortgages follow different rules than personal loans: your maximum mortgage is up to about 4.5× your gross annual income (2026 NIBUD norms), adjusted for student debt, other loans, and the property. Use our Mortgage Calculator Netherlands for the mortgage-specific calculation.
What counts against my borrowing capacity?
Existing loan payments, credit card limits (even unused ones), your BKR credit registration, student debt (DUO), alimony obligations, and your housing costs all reduce the room lenders will give you. Paying off small loans before applying can meaningfully increase your maximum.
Does a partner increase how much I can borrow?
Yes. Lenders typically count 100% of the higher income and 90% of the lower income for personal loans, and both incomes fully for mortgages since 2023. Two incomes almost always increase the maximum significantly.
Sources & methodology
VFN Gedragscode Consumptief Krediet · Nibud lending norms · AFM toetsrente · Last verified: July 2026
MoneyCho calculators are educational tools. Results are indicative and do not constitute financial advice.