Starterslening (starter loan): buy your first home, even if your mortgage falls just short
Found a home, but falling just a few thousand or a few tens of thousands of euros short? You are not the only one. Many first-time buyers (in Dutch) run into the same problem. House prices have risen faster in recent years than the maximum mortgage (in Dutch) you can get based on your income.
A starterslening (a supplementary starter loan for first-time buyers) can offer a solution. With this additional loan you borrow extra on top of your mortgage, which can make the purchase of your first home possible after all. On top of that, you pay no interest or repayments on the starterslening during the first three years. That gives you more financial breathing room during your first years in your new home.
At Libero Financieel we calculate free of charge whether you qualify for a starterslening. We check the conditions of your municipality, calculate how much you can borrow and guide the entire application.
Why choose Libero Financieel?
- Independent mortgage advice (in Dutch) from a range of lenders.
- Guidance from the first calculation to the notary.
- We check whether your municipality offers a starterslening.
- Help with the application to both the municipality and SVn.
- Advice online or in person from our office in Enschede.
What is a starterslening?
A starterslening is a supplementary loan that bridges the gap between the maximum mortgage you can get and the purchase price of your first home. You take out this loan alongside your mortgage.
The scheme is intended for first-time buyers who have enough income to finance a large part of the home, but fall just short of being able to buy it in full.
The starterslening is provided through your municipality and administered by SVn (Stimuleringsfonds Volkshuisvesting Nederlandse gemeenten, the Dutch national fund for municipal housing loans). Not every municipality takes part in this scheme, and the conditions also differ per municipality.
A simple example
Say you want to buy your first home for € 340,000.
The bank calculates that, based on your income, you can borrow a maximum of € 322,000. That leaves you € 18,000 short.
| Situation | Amount |
| Purchase price of the home | € 340,000 |
| Maximum mortgage | € 322,000 |
| Shortfall | € 18,000 |
| Possible starterslening | € 18,000 |
Thanks to the starterslening, the purchase in this example can still go ahead.
How does a starterslening work?
You take out a starterslening at the same time as your mortgage. The loan covers the difference between your maximum mortgage and the purchase price of the home.
An important advantage is that you pay no interest or repayments on the starterslening during the first three years. This keeps your monthly costs lower in the early years.
After this period, it is assessed whether your income is sufficient to start repaying the loan. Has your financial situation not yet changed? Then, under certain conditions, you can request a hertoets (a reassessment of your financial situation).
This way, the starterslening keeps matching what you can afford.
A real-life example
Lisa and Mark wanted to buy a home for € 345,000. Based on their income, they could borrow € 327,000. Thanks to a starterslening of € 18,000, they were still able to buy the home. During the first three years they paid no interest or repayments on the starterslening.
When is a starterslening worth considering?
A starterslening is especially interesting when you fall just short of the mortgage you need, while you can responsibly carry the monthly costs in the longer term.
That is the case, for example, when:
- your first home is slightly more expensive than your maximum mortgage;
- you have little of your own savings to cover the difference yourself;
- you live in a municipality where house prices are high;
- you expect your income to rise in the coming years.
For many first-time buyers, the financing gap is relatively small. That is exactly when a starterslening can make the difference between continuing your search and actually buying a home.
Who is a starterslening intended for?
A starterslening is intended for people buying their first owner-occupied home. In addition, conditions apply that can differ per municipality.
In most cases:
- you have not previously owned a home;
- you will live in the home yourself;
- the home is located in a municipality that offers a starterslening;
- you meet the conditions of the municipality and SVn;
- your mortgage meets the conditions set by your municipality, such as the use of NHG (Nationale Hypotheek Garantie, the Dutch national mortgage guarantee) (in Dutch) where this is mandatory.
Because every municipality applies its own rules, we check in advance whether you qualify.
How much can you borrow?
The size of a starterslening differs per municipality. Many municipalities apply a maximum of 20% of the purchase price, but an absolute maximum amount often applies as well.
How much you can ultimately borrow depends, among other things, on:
- the purchase price of the home;
- your maximum mortgage (in Dutch);
- the rules of your municipality;
- the municipality's available budget.
During a no-obligation consultation, we calculate exactly how much you can borrow and whether a starterslening is possible.
What are the advantages of a starterslening?
A starterslening can make just the difference between continuing your search and receiving the keys to your first home. Especially in a housing market where house prices rise faster than incomes, this scheme gives many first-time buyers extra financial room.
You can finance a higher purchase price
The biggest advantage is that you can borrow extra on top of your maximum mortgage. This brings homes within reach that would otherwise fall just outside your budget.
Do you have a financing gap of, say, € 15,000 or € 20,000? Then a starterslening can be enough to make the purchase possible after all.
Lower monthly costs in the first years
For the first three years, you pay no interest or repayments on the starterslening. This leaves you more financial room in the early years for things like furnishing your home, making it more sustainable (in Dutch) or unexpected expenses.
After this period, your financial situation is reviewed and you only pay if your income allows sufficient room for it.
More choice on the housing market
When you can spend a little more, you automatically increase the number of homes within your budget. Especially in popular regions, a relatively small extra loan amount can make a big difference.
Borrowing extra, responsibly
A starterslening is not a way to borrow more without limits. The loan is only granted when it fits within the rules of the municipality, SVn and your financial situation. That way you know the financing remains responsible.
Are there any downsides?
A starterslening offers many advantages, but it is not the best solution in every situation. That is why we always look at whether the scheme truly fits your wishes and financial possibilities.
Not every municipality offers a starterslening
The starterslening is a municipal scheme. Some municipalities take part, others do not. The maximum loan amounts, conditions and available budgets also differ.
Your monthly costs may rise later
After the first three years, you may start paying interest and repayments on the starterslening. That is why it is important to look not only at your current income, but also at your financial situation in the longer term.
You must meet additional conditions
In addition to the lender's conditions, the rules of the municipality and SVn also apply. As a result, not every first-time buyer automatically qualifies.
When do you qualify for a starterslening?
The exact conditions differ per municipality, but in most cases the following principles apply.
You are buying your first home
A starterslening is intended for people who have not previously owned a home.
You will live in the home yourself
The home must become your main residence. The scheme is not intended for a second home or an investment property.
The home is located in a participating municipality
Not every municipality offers a starterslening. In addition, municipalities may apply a maximum purchase price or a maximum loan amount.
You meet the conditions of the municipality and SVn
In addition to the municipal conditions, SVn assesses whether the starterslening is responsible based on your financial situation.
You take out a suitable mortgage
Many municipalities require a mortgage with NHG (in Dutch). In addition, the mortgage (in Dutch) must match the conditions of the scheme.
Not sure whether you qualify? During a no-obligation consultation, we check right away whether a starterslening is possible for you.
How to apply for a starterslening
Applying for a starterslening involves several steps. Preparing the process well prevents unnecessary delays during the purchase of your home.
- We calculate your maximum mortgage
We map out your financial situation and calculate how much you can borrow. Among other things, we look at your income, any student debt (in Dutch), financial obligations and your own funds. - We check the possibilities
Does it turn out you fall just short of the mortgage you need? Then we investigate whether a starterslening can bridge the financing gap. We also check whether your municipality participates in the scheme. - Application to the municipality
Before you can take out a starterslening, you need an allocation from the municipality. We help you gather the required documents and guide the application. - Assessment by SVn
After the municipality's allocation, SVn assesses your application. Once all conditions are met, you receive an offer for the starterslening. - To the notary
The starterslening and your mortgage are arranged at the notary at the same time. After that, you are ready for the transfer of your first home.
Is a starterslening available in your municipality?
Not every municipality offers a starterslening. The conditions, maximum loan amounts and available budgets also differ per municipality. It is therefore important to check which scheme applies in the municipality where you want to buy a home.
Search for your municipality below and find out right away whether a starterslening is possible.
Is your municipality not listed? No worries. There are often other ways to finance your first home. During a no-obligation consultation, we look at which solution fits your situation best.
No starterslening? These are the alternatives
Do you not qualify for a starterslening, or does your municipality not take part in the scheme? Then there are often other ways to buy your first home.
Borrowing extra for energy-saving measures
Are you buying an energy-efficient home or planning to make your home more sustainable? Then in some cases you can borrow more than based on your income alone. This extra loan amount is intended for energy-saving measures (in Dutch) and can make the purchase possible after all.
A gift from parents or family
A gift can help cover a financing gap or the kosten koper (buyer's costs, the additional costs paid by the buyer, read more (in Dutch)). We are happy to advise you on the possibilities and the tax rules involved.
KoopStart or KoopGarant
In some municipalities, homes are available through schemes such as KoopStart or KoopGarant (Dutch schemes that let you buy a home at a discount). You then buy the home at a reduced price, so you need to borrow less.
A mortgage that suits your situation better
Not every lender assesses your income in the same way. Sometimes you can borrow more with one lender than with another. As an independent mortgage adviser, we compare the options of different lenders and look for the solution that fits your situation best.
Frequently asked questions about the starterslening
Can I combine a starterslening with my mortgage?
Yes. A starterslening is a supplement to your mortgage. You take out both loans at the same time for the purchase of your first home.
How much can I borrow at most?
That depends on the rules of your municipality, the purchase price of the home and your maximum mortgage. Many municipalities apply a maximum of 20% of the purchase price, but a maximum loan amount often applies as well.
Can I get a starterslening as a self-employed professional?
Yes, as an entrepreneur you can also qualify. However, your income is assessed differently than for someone in salaried employment. We calculate in advance what is possible in your situation. Read more about the mortgage for self-employed professionals (in Dutch).
Does a starterslening also apply to a new-build home?
That differs per municipality. Some municipalities make a starterslening available for new-build homes, while others limit the scheme to existing homes. Read more about the new-build mortgage.
Can I combine a starterslening with a gift?
In many cases, yes. A gift and a starterslening do not automatically rule each other out. The possibilities depend on your financial situation and the conditions of the municipality.
Can I repay the starterslening early?
Yes. With many startersleningen, you can make extra repayments or repay the loan in full without an early repayment charge. The exact conditions differ per scheme.
How long does the application take?
The processing time differs per municipality and depends on how quickly all documents are provided. On average, the process takes a few weeks. We guide the application so it runs as smoothly as possible.
Why choose Libero Financieel?
A starterslening is one part of your total financing. That is why we look beyond the application alone. We map out your complete financial situation and advise which mortgage and any additional schemes best match your plans.
At Libero Financieel you benefit from:
- Independent mortgage advice (in Dutch) from a range of lenders.
- Personal guidance from the first calculation to the notary.
- Support with the application to both the municipality and SVn.
- Advice online via video call or an appointment at our office in Enschede.
- A secure digital client portal where you can easily submit documents and follow the progress of your application.
Curious what mortgage advice costs? View our rates or book a no-obligation consultation right away.
Calculate your options
Not sure whether a starterslening is interesting for you? Or do you want to know how much you can borrow at most for your first home?
During a no-obligation consultation, we look at your financial situation and calculate exactly what is possible. We check whether your municipality offers a starterslening, calculate your maximum mortgage (in Dutch) and show you which financing options fit your situation best.
That way you know exactly where you stand before you make an offer.