NHG: The National Mortgage Guarantee Explained

In short

With the Nationale Hypotheek Garantie (NHG, the Dutch national mortgage guarantee) you usually get a lower interest rate and a safety net if you can no longer pay your mortgage. In 2026 you can use NHG for a home worth up to € 470,000, or up to € 498,200 if you borrow extra to make your home more energy-efficient. You pay a one-off premium of 0.4% of your mortgage amount.

What is NHG?

NHG has existed since 1995 and is run by the Waarborgfonds Eigen Woning (Homeownership Guarantee Fund). Its purpose is straightforward: to help buyers finance a home responsibly. If you take out your mortgage with NHG, the fund guarantees your loan. That means less risk for the provider, and they pass that benefit on to you as an interest rate discount.

NHG is also a safety net. If you can no longer afford your payments because of, say, unemployment, incapacity for work or a divorce, and you have to sell your home at a loss, NHG pays the residual debt to your provider. In most cases you then do not have to repay it yourself.

NHG amounts in 2026

NHG's rules and amounts are reviewed every year. These are the key figures for 2026:

• Cost limit: € 470,000. This is the maximum home value (including any renovation costs) for which you can take out NHG.
• With energy-saving measures: € 498,200. If you borrow extra to make your home more sustainable, the limit is 6% higher. That extra amount must actually be spent on energy-saving measures.
• Guarantee premium: 0.4% of your mortgage amount, one-off and tax-deductible.
• A second income counts 100%. If you buy together, the lower income is fully included when calculating your maximum mortgage.

Conditions for NHG

To use NHG, the home must fall within the cost limit and be your main residence. You cannot get NHG for a holiday home, houseboat or buy-to-let property. If the home costs more than the limit, you finance it without NHG.

Other conditions apply to almost every mortgage: you take out an annuity or linear mortgage with a maximum term of 30 years. The same is required if you want to use mortgage interest relief.

How much can you borrow with NHG?

The interest you pay depends on the risk category you fall into: the lower the risk for the bank, the lower the rate. With NHG you are in the lowest risk category, so you pay less interest. Lower monthly costs leave more of your income available, which can raise your maximum mortgage. Exactly how much you can borrow depends mainly on your income and any other loans; the Nibud housing-cost ratio sets how much of your income may go towards housing.

Remortgaging to an NHG mortgage

Want to refinance to a mortgage with NHG? Keep the following in mind:

• The new mortgage and the market value of the home stay within the € 470,000 cost limit.
• Your mortgage may not be underwater: the debt may not exceed the value of the home.
• Budget for one-off costs such as the 0.4% guarantee premium, and possibly an early-repayment penalty, valuation, notary and advice costs.

A mortgage without NHG

Sometimes a mortgage without NHG makes more sense, for example if your home is above the cost limit or you have a large buffer and a high income. You then save the guarantee premium but miss the safety net in a forced sale. Without NHG the interest is usually slightly higher, because the bank carries the risk itself.

Not sure whether NHG is worthwhile in your situation? An independent adviser will work it out for you, free and without obligation. Request a free advice session.

Frequently asked questions

What does NHG cost in 2026?

You pay a one-off guarantee premium of 0.4% of your mortgage amount. On a € 350,000 mortgage that is € 1,400. The amount is tax-deductible and usually pays for itself within a few years through the interest discount.

What is the NHG limit in 2026?

The cost limit is € 470,000. If you borrow extra for energy-saving measures, the home value may rise to € 498,200.

Does NHG really lower my interest rate?

Yes. Because NHG reduces the risk for the provider, you get an interest discount compared with a similar mortgage without NHG.