BKR Registration

The key points at a glance

BKR stands for "Bureau Krediet Registratie" (Credit Registration Bureau), a central organisation that registers all loans in the Netherlands. When you take out a loan or a mortgage, it is registered with this organisation. Read on to find out what a BKR registration means for you when you want to take out a mortgage.

1. When are you registered with BKR?

If you have a credit of €250 or more, for example a current account overdraft facility, a credit card, or a revolving credit, you are registered with BKR. Any other contract with a financial obligation, such as a phone subscription where you are paying off your handset or a deferred payment arrangement, also results in a BKR registration. A payment arrears with the following organisations does NOT lead to a BKR registration:

• Belastingdienst (Tax Authority)
• Energy suppliers
• Housing associations
• Health insurers

A student loan or a mortgage (without payment arrears) also does NOT lead to a BKR registration.

2. Types of BKR registrations

A BKR registration can be positive or negative. A positive registration has no impact on your mortgage application. However, if you have payment arrears of more than 120 days, you will receive a negative BKR registration.

An A-code, standing for arrears (achterstand), means you have failed to meet a payment obligation, possibly on more than one occasion. With this registration you will likely have difficulty getting a mortgage approved. The H-code stands for restored (hersteld) and is applied once the payment arrears have been resolved. It takes 5 years after the arrears are cleared for the registration to disappear entirely. In some cases it is possible to get a loan with an H-code. With more serious codes, for example where debt is increasing, it is impossible to take out a mortgage until the registration is gone.

3. Can I get a mortgage despite my BKR code?

Whether you can take out a mortgage depends on your code and on the mortgage provider. A positive BKR registration will not cause any problems with a mortgage application. An A-code is often grounds for a provider to reject your application. With an H-code, however, some providers are willing to consider your application.

3.1 Positive BKR registration and your mortgage

A positive BKR registration does not automatically affect your mortgage, since it is just that: a positive notation. It shows that you have a loan or a subscription, and that is where it ends. The bank will request your BKR data to get a picture of your financial position. If you already have a loan running, keep in mind that the bank will look at how the mortgage fits into your overall picture of income and expenditure. The more credit you already have, the harder it will be to get a (large) mortgage. Calculate how much you can borrow to see how much an existing loan reduces your maximum mortgage.

4. Explaining your arrears code

Do you have a good explanation for your A-code at BKR, was it not (entirely) your fault, or do you now have everything back on track? The burden of proof lies with you. You will need to convince the bank yourself that you are sufficiently creditworthy for the mortgage. If you can give the bank enough reassurance, it might just be possible to get a mortgage despite a negative BKR code. Keep in mind that most banks will not go along with this easily.

4.1 Requesting your BKR registration

Via the website of stichting BKR you can request your own credit data digitally. You will then see an overview of your outstanding and repaid loans, and whether you have or have had payment arrears.

You can also check whether you are registered in an external register managed by BKR. These registers exist to combat crime and are managed by BKR for fraud prevention and identity verification purposes. If you want to request the data of a deceased person, this can only be done by post with additional checks and documents.

Frequently asked questions

What is a BKR registration?

A BKR registration is a record of a loan or mortgage you have taken out.

When do I get a BKR registration?

You get a BKR registration when you take out a loan of more than €250 or a phone subscription with instalments. You also get a BKR code if you have payment arrears.

What types of BKR codes are there?

Regular loans result in a positive BKR registration. If you fall into arrears you receive an A-code. Once the arrears are resolved, you are registered with an H-code.

Can I get a mortgage with a BKR registration?

With a positive BKR registration you can get a mortgage without any problems. With an A or H-code it is quite possible that the provider will reject your application. If you have a good reason for the payment arrears, you will need to prove this to the provider yourself.

Can I view my credit data?

Yes, you can request an overview of your outstanding and repaid loans. You can also see any payment arrears and any registration in external registers.