Mortgages rise as first-time homebuyers take out more loans

In the first half of the year, Dutch homeowners took out a total of €84.8 billion in mortgages, marking an increase compared to the previous half of 2025. The surge in mortgage applications can be attributed to a growing number of first-time buyers entering the housing market. While this number was slightly lower than the record set in the latter half of 2025, it still represented an 8% rise from the first half of 2025.

The figures reveal that more young people are opting for starter loans alongside their mortgages. These starter loans serve as a financial bridge to cover the gap between the home's price and the amount a first-time buyer can borrow. In the first half of 2025, 8.3% of all starter home mortgages involved starter loans, up from 6.4% in the same period the previous year.

Starter loans are particularly popular among first-time buyers under the age of 25. In the first half of 2025, 15% of individuals within this age group utilized a starter loan, compared to 8.6% of those between 25 and 35 years old. The average loan amount was approximately €37,000, a slight increase from the previous year's €35,700.