Number of new mortgages increased by 22% in first half of 2025

The number of mortgages taken out in the Netherlands rose sharply in the first half of this year. Dutch homebuyers took out over a fifth more mortgages than in the same period a year ago, the Land Registry reported.

A total of 207,000 mortgages were taken out in the first half of the year, 22 percent more than a year earlier. Consequently, the total mortgage amount also increased significantly, reaching €78.5 billion, an increase of 32 percent. The average mortgage amount for buying a home rose by 9 percent year-on-year to €491,000.

Compared to their purchase price, older buyers borrowed significantly less than younger buyers. This was especially true for people who bought homes over €500,000 and those moving up the property ladder. They are more likely to benefit from equity in their existing homes, according to the Land Registry. They also tend to downsize and live more affordably, meaning they need to borrow relatively less.

Home prices have continued to rise in recent months. According to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Land Registry, existing owner-occupied homes were 9 percent more expensive in July than in the same month a year earlier. This increase has been levelling off for several months. However, demand for homes in the Netherlands still far exceeds supply, driving up prices.

Another trend is a relatively high number of homes being put up for sale in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch Association of Realtors (NVM), the second quarter saw the highest number of homes put up for sale in almost 20 years. This is mainly due to the sell-off of former rental properties. Many landlords are selling their rental properties into the owner-occupied market when the lease expires, as changes in legislation have made it less attractive for them to re-let a property.