Viisi Expats

01/09/2026

Lesson 9 of our Dutch mortgage dictionary is here! Andrew and Thomas explain some sustainability-related mortgage terms! 🇳🇱

10/08/2026

Lesson 8 of our Dutch mortgage dictionary is here! Learn the key terms behind NHG and other government mortgage schemes 🇳🇱

05/08/2026

Renting or buying in the Netherlands — which actually makes more financial sense for you? 🤔

It's rarely as simple as "renting is throwing money away" or "buying is always better long-term." The right answer depends on how long you plan to stay, how the market looks where you want to live, and what your monthly budget can realistically absorb.

In this video we walk through:
📊 The real, all-in costs on both sides — not just rent versus mortgage payment
📊 The break-even point most people never actually calculate
📊 How your visa or residency situation should factor into the decision

Especially useful if you're still early in your time in the Netherlands and unsure whether to commit.

👉 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWZYwdb1zZc

🔹 Renting vs. buying in the Netherlands as an expat? In this vide...

01/08/2026

Flooding, groundwater, foundation issues, heat stress 🌊

The Dutch climate has a real, measurable effect on what your future home is worth, and it's something most house hunters don't think to ask about.

A few risks worth knowing before you buy:
🏠 Flooding and rising groundwater levels in certain regions
🏠 Foundation issues in older homes built on wooden piles
🏠 Heat stress in dense urban areas without enough greenery

Some of these risks can be assessed with a proper structural survey, and they can also affect your long-term insurability.

👉 We put together an overview of the risks to know about before you buy, and what you can actually do about them.
https://www.viisi-expats.nl/mortgages/climate-risks-how-they-affect-your-home/

27/07/2026

A better energy label doesn't just lower your energy bill 💡

It can also increase how much you're allowed to borrow. Dutch lenders factor in the sustainability of a home when calculating your maximum mortgage, and the difference can be significant.

Here's what that looks like in practice:
📈 Homes with a strong energy label (A or better) can add up to €40,000 to your borrowing capacity
📈 Lower energy costs mean more room in your monthly budget, which lenders take into account
📈 Some lenders offer an extra sustainability discount on top of the standard rate

If you're comparing an older home against a newer, better-insulated one, the energy label is worth factoring into your budget from day one, not as an afterthought.

👉 Here's how Dutch energy labels affect what you can borrow, and what to check before you buy: https://www.viisi-expats.nl/mortgages/energy-labels/

Our webinar is an excellent start for anyone trying to navigate the Dutch real estate market. In one evening you’ll learn everything you need to buy a home in The Netherlands.

24/07/2026

No permanent contract doesn't automatically mean no mortgage 💼

It's one of the most common worries we hear from expats: "I'm still on a fixed-term contract, so I probably can't get a mortgage yet." In reality, Dutch lenders increasingly work with profession-specific policies.

Some examples we regularly see:
✔️ Doctors in training, based on their expected career progression
✔️ PhD candidates, using their contract and expected completion
✔️ Even professional footballers, based on club and league norms

The key is knowing which lenders have these policies and how to present your situation in the best possible light.

👉 We break down how it works, with real examples.
https://www.viisi-expats.nl/mortgages/no-permanent-contract-as-a-doctor-or-professional-footballer-but-still-a-mortgage/

23/07/2026

Buying a house in the Netherlands as an expat can feel like a maze of unfamiliar steps 🗺️

Between Dutch-specific terminology, a fast-moving market, and a process that looks nothing like what you're used to back home, it's easy to feel lost before you've even started.

We broke the whole process down into 5 clear stages:
- Setting a realistic budget
- Getting mortgage pre-approval
- Finding the right property and making an offer
- Arranging your mortgage and the legal paperwork
- Signing at the notary and picking up the keys

👉 Read the full guide:
https://www.viisi-expats.nl/mortgages/5-steps-to-owning-a-home/

20/07/2026

This is the 7th episode of our dictionary series, teaching you the Dutch terms that matter when buying a home. This time: the appraisal, and how it can decide how much you're actually able to borrow 🏡

17/07/2026

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭? 🏡

If you're moving to the Netherlands under the highly skilled migrant scheme, your mortgage options often look very different from what you'd expect back home.

We cover the essentials:
✔️ How the 30% ruling affects what you can borrow
✔️ Which documents lenders actually want to see from international employees
✔️ What changes once your temporary residence permit becomes permanent

Many highly skilled migrants qualify for more than they think, especially once a lender properly accounts for the 30% ruling in the affordability calculation.

👉 We've laid it all out in one guide.
https://www.viisi-expats.nl/mortgages/mortgage-for-highly-skilled-migrants-in-the-netherlands/

13/07/2026

New to the Dutch housing market? Join our free online webinar 📆

On Wednesday 22 July, 19:00, we'll walk you through what it actually takes to buy a home in the Netherlands as an expat — from getting mortgage-ready to making a winning offer to arranging the mortgage to sign at the notary!

We'll cover:
✔️ How much you can typically borrow, and what affects that
✔️ What the Dutch bidding process actually looks like in practice
✔️ The costs beyond the purchase price

It's free, no-obligation, and a genuinely useful first step if you're planning to buy in the next 6-12 months.

👉 Register here:
https://www.viisi-expats.nl/housing-and-mortgage-webinar/