The NHG limit will rise to €500,000 in 2027. If you finance energy-saving improvements, the upper limit will be €530,000. Improving energy efficiency will also become a more prominent part of buying a house with a low energy label. Here is what this means for your plans.
Updated on 13 October 2026. The new limits have been announced. NHG plans to publish its complete 2027 Conditions and Standards on 1 November 2026.
What is the NHG limit in 2027?
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard NHG limit | €470,000 | €500,000 |
| Including energy-saving improvements | €498,200 | €530,000 |
| One-off NHG fee | 0.4% | 0.4% |
The standard limit increases by €30,000. Any amount above €500,000 is exclusively for eligible energy-saving improvements. The higher limit is not a general purchase budget of €530,000.
The limits and fee are confirmed in the government letter to Parliament dated 12 October 2026 (in Dutch).
Does a higher NHG limit mean you can borrow more?
Your maximum mortgage still depends on factors including your income, financial commitments, interest rate and the property value. The NHG limit sets the ceiling for eligibility for the guarantee. It does not mean you personally qualify to borrow that amount.
Suppose you are considering a €490,000 home. The increase could bring NHG within reach in 2027. Whether you can afford the purchase still requires an individual calculation, including your savings, buying costs and any renovation work.
What are the benefits of an NHG mortgage?
NHG, the Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee, provides a safety net if circumstances make your mortgage difficult to afford. NHG and the lender consider solutions to help you keep your home. If a sale is unavoidable, any remaining mortgage debt may be written off subject to conditions. This is not automatic.
An NHG mortgage also often comes with a lower interest rate. There is a one-off fee: for a €400,000 mortgage, 0.4% is €1,600. Compare the fee, interest rate and mortgage conditions together.
Must you improve a home with energy label E, F or G?
No. Energy improvements become the default starting point, but you retain a choice. From 2027, buying a house with energy label E, F or G with NHG will normally include €20,000 for energy-saving measures. This applies to houses rather than apartments; apartments are excluded from the new default.
You can opt out of this additional borrowing by signing a declaration, for example if you prefer to use your savings. NHG explains this in its interview about the standard energy-saving budget (in Dutch).
The aim is to discuss and arrange finance for energy improvements when you buy. This allows you to include the work in your renovation plans, potentially reducing energy bills and improving comfort.
How does the energy-saving budget work?
You can choose an energy-saving budget, known in Dutch as an energiebespaarbudget, without deciding on specific measures yet. Alternatively, you can finance eligible improvements that you have already selected. The money is held in a renovation deposit account, or bouwdepot.
If €20,000 does not fit within the borrowing limits based on your income and property value, the lower amount that can be financed applies. You do not have to achieve a particular energy label. Any unused amount is applied to repay the mortgage after two years, or if the deposit account is closed earlier.
This is a loan, not a grant
Include the additional interest and repayments in your monthly budget. Also assess which improvements suit the property and their expected savings. Available borrowing and the financial benefit of renovation are separate calculations.
What can you spend the energy-saving budget on?
According to NHG’s overview of eligible energy-saving measures (in Dutch), you can use the budget for:
- Wall, roof, floor or pipe insulation.
- Insulating glazing, such as HR++ or triple glazing.
- Energy-efficient doors, window frames and comparable structural components, combined with high-performance insulating glazing.
- A heat pump.
- Solar panels.
- A system that recovers heat from shower wastewater.
- An energy-efficient ventilation system, only in combination with other energy-saving measures.
You can combine several measures. Discuss what suits your home and have the quotation checked against the financing conditions. Follow the NHG link for the current overview and an explanation of each measure.
Foundation risk will also receive more attention
NHG is introducing an assessment framework for foundation risk in 2027. Where the risk is high, expected repair costs can reduce the available mortgage amount. This accounts in advance for costs a homeowner may face later.
For an older property, consider its structural condition and valuation alongside the energy label. An attractive purchase price alone does not tell you how much you need to live there comfortably over time.
What does NHG 2027 mean for your purchase?
Before making an offer, draw up a complete budget for the purchase, renovation, energy improvements and savings you want to keep. This provides more useful guidance than looking only at the maximum mortgage.
If you buy around the end of the year, check which conditions apply to your application in advance. Do not rely solely on the date you receive the keys.
At Homeloan, we discuss your plans and calculate different options. Whether you are looking in Eindhoven or elsewhere in the Netherlands, the aim is to understand which monthly payments fit your life. Read more about energy labels and mortgages under the 2026 rules for background.
Frequently asked questions about NHG 2027
Does the standard energy-saving budget apply to apartments?
Apartments are excluded. If you buy an apartment, discuss which improvements you can arrange yourself and which require the owners’ association, known as the VvE.
Are energy improvements compulsory to qualify for NHG?
You can opt out of the additional budget. The new approach aims to encourage energy improvements while preserving your choice.
Have all the 2027 conditions been published?
The limits have been announced. NHG plans to publish the complete conditions on 1 November 2026. This article covers the announced changes.
Sources: the government letter and NHG explanations linked above, and NHG’s overview of proposed conditions for 2027. This article was prompted by BNR’s reporting. The substantive information has been checked against official sources. Source pages are in Dutch.