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Energy label home netherlands

Energy Labels and Your Mortgage: What Expats Should Know in 2026

Energy labels and your mortgage are more closely connected than many expats expect.

When you buy a home in the Netherlands, the energy label affects how much you can borrow and, in some cases, the interest rate you pay in 2026.

Here is what the label means and how to use it to your advantage.

What the Energy Label Is

Every home in the Netherlands has an official energy label running from A (very efficient) to G (least efficient). It reflects insulation, heating, and overall energy use. The seller is legally required to provide a valid label when a home is sold or rented, so you should always see one before you make an offer.

Why the Label Affects Your Mortgage

Lenders look at the label because an efficient home is cheaper to run, which leaves more room in your monthly budget. In 2026, the more energy-efficient your home, the more you may be able to borrow on top of your standard maximum.

A strong label can also work in your favour on the rate. From 1 April 2026, some major lenders factor the energy label into the interest rate they offer on new mortgages.

Buying an Older or Less Efficient Home

A lower label is not a reason to walk away. If you buy a home with an E, F, or G label, you can usually borrow extra specifically to improve it, for example up to 20,000 euros for measures such as insulation, a heat pump, or solar panels.

That lets you buy a home with potential and make it more efficient without finding the money separately.

What This Means for Expats

The rules are the same for expats as for Dutch buyers, so there is nothing extra to navigate. Check the label before you make an offer. If the home is efficient, ask your advisor whether it lifts your maximum mortgage or improves your rate. If it is not, ask about financing the upgrades within your mortgage.

For homes up to 470,000 euros in 2026 you can also apply for the National Mortgage Guarantee, which can bring the rate down again.

Energy labels what do they mean

Quick Checklist Before You Make an Offer

 
  • Confirm the home has a valid energy label
  • Ask how the label affects your maximum mortgage
  • If the label is low, ask about borrowing extra for improvements
  • Check whether a better label improves your interest rate with your lender
CONTACT US

FAQ – Energy Labels and Mortgages

Does the energy label really affect how much I can borrow?

Yes. In 2026, a more efficient label can raise your maximum mortgage, while a low label may limit it unless you plan upgrades.

Yes. You can often borrow extra, up to around 20,000 euros, specifically to improve a home with an E, F, or G label.

No. Expats follow the same rules as Dutch buyers when it comes to energy labels and mortgages.

If you would like help understanding a label, or working out what it means for your mortgage, our team is here to help.

Ready to chat? Let us get in touch with you!

Leave your details and one of our agents will be in contact with you shortly.

Leslie Gamble

Rental Makelaar Utrecht and surrounds

Leslie relocated to the Netherlands from the United States in June 2025 with her husband, their two children, and their two dogs. She knows exactly what it feels like to move your whole life across borders and start again in a new country.

Before moving to the Netherlands, Leslie spent ten years working as a Realtor and Property Manager in Nevada. That background means she understands the buying process deeply, while also knowing how different and sometimes overwhelming it can feel when you are purchasing as an expat in the Dutch housing market.

Living in Utrecht herself, Leslie stays closely connected to the local market and works with fellow professionals to ensure her clients always receive current, accurate information. She understands the importance of clarity, honesty, and guidance you can rely on when making such a big decision.

Leslie is passionate about helping expats feel supported and confident from the very first conversation through to the moment they receive the keys. For her, it is about more than buying a house. It is about helping people find a place where they can truly feel at home.

At Homes for Expats, every story, every client, every move matters to us.

Today, I’m proud to say that Homes for Expats has grown into a dedicated group of professionals. We are eight property specialists, all expats, and all women, covering most of the Netherlands. Each of us brings unique insight, experience, and a shared passion for helping others find their place here. As a group, we understand the emotional and practical challenges of moving to a new country because we’ve lived it ourselves. Together, we’re here to make the process smoother, more personal, and filled with care.

For me, this isn’t just business; it’s personal. I care deeply about the people I work with, and my commitment to honesty, integrity, and excellence drives everything I do. Helping you find a home where you feel comfortable and happy isn’t just my job, it’s my passion.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy on a client’s face when we find the perfect match. That moment, when everything falls into place and a house starts to feel like home, is why I do what I do. Your trust means the world to me, and it inspires me and my colleagues to work tirelessly to make your experience seamless and rewarding.

Let us be your guides on this exciting journey. With Homes for Expats, we’re here to help you build a home and a life you’ll love in the Netherlands. Let’s make it a memorable, meaningful, and stress-free adventure, together.

Jessica Venn

Purchasing makelaar Amsterdam, haarlem, north holland

A lawyer and lecturer from Johannesburg who relocated to the Netherlands in 2018 after first living for a short time in Dubai. Jessica studied B Com Law and LLB and after completing her articles in law, she started lecturing law to university students. In 2011 she opened up her own law firm specializing in Consumer Law and Contracts. After relocating and running her business remotely, Jessica closed her firm in 2020 and became a full-time mom to her two little boys.

 

Going from running my own law firm to being a full-time mom has been an interesting journey. Moving to a new country (twice) definitely kicked my networking skills into a higher gear! As an expat you have to learn how to make new friends, find your way around a new city, and integrate into a different culture and community. From the moment I landed in Dubai I felt the need to want to help others integrate more easily and make them feel supported even though their own family and friends were far away. Helping expats find a home is an integral part of the relocation process. Offering the best support while taking that step is exactly what I want to provide to my clients. Now here in the Netherlands at Homes for Expats I get to do exactly that! Relocating is not for the faint-hearted but it is worth it! Let me help you find your home!