Mortgages rise as first-time homebuyers take out more loans

The number of mortgages taken out by Dutch homeowners in the first half of the year has gone up to €84.8 bn, with more first-time buyers getting on the ladder.

That was less than the record in the second half of 2025 but 8% higher than in the first half of 2025.

The latest figures show that more young people are taking out starter loans on top of their mortgages, which help them bridge the financial gap between the price of their home and the amount they are allowed to borrow as first-time buyers.

Loans were taken out on 8.3% of all starter home mortgages, up from 6.4% during the first half of 2025.

Starter loans, which are now offered to first-time buyers in more than 300 out of the 342 Dutch municipalities, proved especially popular with people up to the age of 25. Some 15% of this group obtained a starter loan in the first half of this year, compared to 8.6% of people between 25 and 35 years old.

The average amount borrowed was about € 37,000, up from €35,700 last year.