Social Purchase Home

In short

Not everyone can simply buy a home, certainly not as a first-time buyer or on a lower income in an expensive city. A social purchase home (sociale koopwoning) still makes it possible: you buy the home at a discount from a housing corporation, often with arrangements about buy-back and the sharing of profit or loss. This lets lower incomes enjoy the benefits of homeownership too. Are you a first-time buyer wondering how much extra you could borrow? You can calculate your starter loan in advance.

1. What is a social purchase home?

A social purchase home is a home offered affordably to first-time buyers and lower incomes with support from the municipality or a housing corporation. There is a maximum purchase price, linked to the NHG cost limit (€ 470,000 in 2026); municipalities may set their own, lower limit within that.

To qualify there is often an income limit, so the homes reach people who have little chance on the open market. Sometimes the condition is that you leave behind a social rental home in the same municipality, freeing it up for another applicant.

2. Discount on the home

A housing corporation can give you a purchase discount of up to 50% of the appraised value. If you buy a home appraised at € 200,000, for example, the discount can be as much as € 100,000. The corporation then remains co-owner of that share. On sale, the discount is settled against the proceeds.

3. Profit-and-loss sharing

If you sell the home later, you usually share the profit or loss with the corporation. A loss is often split 50-50, which softens the blow. Profit is often shared too: with € 50,000 of equity and a 50-50 split, you keep € 25,000. The exact split is in your contract.

4. Buy-back arrangement

Many social purchase homes have a buy-back arrangement: if you want to sell, you first offer the home to the corporation. The corporation may buy it back but is usually not obliged to. If it does not, you may look for a buyer yourself.

5. NHG and social purchase homes

You can use the National Mortgage Guarantee for a social purchase home too. That gives the bank security and you an interest discount, making your mortgage cheaper.

6. Owner-occupation and mortgage interest relief

A social purchase home is meant for owner-occupation: you are registered at the address and may not rent the home out. You are fully entitled to mortgage interest relief, provided your mortgage type qualifies (an annuity or linear mortgage).

Frequently asked questions

Who is a social purchase home for?

Mainly first-time buyers and households on a lower or middle income who struggle to buy on the open market. Municipalities often set an income limit.

Do I have to repay the discount?

The discount is settled on sale, together with any profit-and-loss sharing. The exact arrangements are in your purchase contract.

Can I get NHG on a social purchase home?

Yes, if the home falls within the NHG cost limit and meets the other conditions.