NHG limit to rise to 500,000 euros in 2027
The higher guarantee limit gives buyers more room, but poor energy ratings will also change mortgage applications.
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The limit for a mortgage with Nationale Hypotheek Garantie (NHG) will rise from 470,000 to 500,000 euros on 1 January 2027. Minister Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan reported this to the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) on Monday.
The increase follows the existing method used to set the NHG limit each year. This uses average sale prices for owner-occupied homes over 27 months, with a 5 per cent uplift and rounding to the nearest 5,000 euros. According to the government letter, that calculation produces a limit of 500,000 euros for 2027.
The higher limit applies to the purchase price or market value that can fall under NHG. For mortgages that include additional energy-saving measures, the limit will be 530,000 euros. According to the letter, the one-off guarantee fee will remain 0.4 per cent of the mortgage amount.
The increase does not automatically mean that every buyer can borrow an additional 30,000 euros. Banks will continue to assess income, debts, property value and statutory lending rules. More homes may, however, fall within NHG's scope. The guarantee provides a safety net when households can no longer afford their mortgage payments, for example because of job loss or divorce.
For buyers of ground-based homes with energy ratings E, F or G, there will be an additional change from 2027. For new mortgages, NHG will in principle assume that 20,000 euros is set aside for energy-saving measures. That amount can be placed in an Energiebespaarbudget or used for specific measures.
The sustainability work is not compulsory. According to NHG, anyone who does not want to borrow an additional amount can submit a declaration waiving the budget. The amount may also be lower if the income or property-value assessment does not provide enough room. Moreover, the buyer does not have to specify a particular measure or a certain final energy rating in advance.
The measure does place greater emphasis on the buyer's responsibility for improving the property's sustainability at the time of purchase. NHG says homes with a low energy rating have relatively high and uncertain energy costs and are therefore more vulnerable to affordability problems. NHG is still working out the precise implementation rules for 2027; the final conditions will be published on 1 November.
An independent calculation had earlier also arrived at around 500,000 euros, but stressed at the time that this was an estimate. The new limit has now been set out in a government letter. It is not yet clear how many additional households will actually be able to obtain an NHG mortgage as a result, or what effect the increase will have on house prices.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The NHG limit will rise to 500,000 euros in 2027.
- For homes with energy ratings E, F or G, improving energy efficiency will become the basis for NHG.
- Buyers can opt out of the energy-efficiency budget.
Left
Arguments A higher guarantee may primarily increase the purchasing power of households without the housing supply growing alongside it. As a result, prices could rise further. From this perspective, improving energy efficiency should primarily be paid for collectively or by landlords and sellers, rather than by buyers who already have high debts.
Values Affordability, protecting low- and middle-income households, and public responsibility for housing and climate.
Consequences The measure may help first-time buyers, but could also increase debt burdens and widen the gap between those who can and cannot buy.
Centre
Arguments The increase reflects house prices and keeps NHG useful as a safety net. The energy-efficiency rule may limit the risks of high energy costs, provided buyers retain freedom of choice and banks continue to assess affordability.
Values Access to the housing market, financial stability, feasibility and a gradual energy transition.
Consequences More homes may fall under NHG, but the effect will depend on income criteria, interest rates, housing supply and the final implementation rules.
Right
Arguments A more generous NHG limit makes home ownership and financing more accessible without creating a major new subsidy programme. It is logical to encourage buyers of poorly insulated homes to invest themselves immediately, provided the option not to borrow more remains available.
Values Personal responsibility, ownership, market forces and limiting government spending.
Consequences The measure may accelerate transactions and energy-efficiency improvements, but must not turn into additional bureaucracy or an obligation that places excessive financial demands on buyers.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article's central claims are based directly on the government letter of 12 October 2026 and current NHG information. Effects on access to the market and house prices are presented as uncertain.
- confirmed The NHG limit will rise from 470,000 to 500,000 euros on 1 January 2027. — This is stated in the government letter on NHG and affordable home ownership. source
- confirmed The limit with co-financed energy-saving measures will be 530,000 euros. — The letter refers to an increase of 6 per cent above the standard limit. source
- confirmed The guarantee fee will remain 0.4 per cent. — The government letter states that the fee will again be 0.4 per cent in 2027. source
- confirmed For homes with energy ratings E, F or G, 20,000 euros for improving energy efficiency will be assumed as standard from 2027. — NHG describes this as the basis for ground-based homes. source
- confirmed Buyers can opt out of the energy-efficiency budget. — NHG refers to a declaration stating that the energy-efficiency budget will not be used. source
- confirmed The new NHG limit will not automatically increase everyone's maximum mortgage. — NHG remains subject to income, loan and property-value assessments; the NHG page gives examples of these. source
- uncertain The effect on house prices and the number of additional users is not yet known. — The sources consulted provide no new measurement or forecast on this. source
Editor's note
The new limit of 500,000 euros, the 530,000-euro limit for energy-saving measures, the 0.4 per cent fee and the standard budget for homes with ratings E, F or G are certain. The number of additional beneficiaries and the effect on house prices remain uncertain; the final implementation rules for 2027 have yet to be published.Sources
- Ontwikkelingen betaalbare koop: NHG en NFBK — Rijksoverheid, weergegeven via OpenTK
- Voorwaarden en normen 2027 — Nationale Hypotheek Garantie
- NHG 2027: grens, kosten en wanneer het loont — Kennisdomein
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „nhg hypotheken”
- NOS — „nhg hypotheken”
- Het Parool — „nhg hypotheken”