A mortgage advisor (hypotheekadviseur) compares various lenders to find the best interest rates and tax-efficient structures for your specific situation. Because Dutch law prohibits lenders from paying them commissions, you pay the advisor a flat, tax-deductible fee (usually €2,000–€3,500) to ensure their advice remains unbiased. They are especially vital for navigating local complexities like the 30% rule, National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) applications, and the strictly regulated borrowing limits.
Yes. almost all independent advisors and banks in the Netherlands offer a first meeting (oriëntatiegesprek) at no cost. This is where they calculate your maximum borrowing capacity and explain their fee structure. You only start paying once you formally hire them to begin the application process.
You can, but this is not always the cheapest option because the bank only shows their own products. An advisor compares over 30 different lenders. This can save you 1500 euro per year in interest per year.
While many lenders only look at your base salary, specialized expat advisors know which lenders will include your 30% tax-free allowance as part of your qualifying income. This can significantly increase the amount you are allowed to borrow.
Yes, Dutch lenders now link borrowing power to the home’s Energy Label. You will get 30.000 more if your house has an energy label a++++.
Yes. Because the advice is directly related to obtaining a loan for your primary residence, the fee (typically €2,500–€3,500) can be deducted from your taxable income in the year you buy the house. This effectively gives you a "discount" of about 37% on their services via your tax return.