A higher mortgage in 2026? Only if your income increases!

Next year, there will be another change in mortgage standards. In 2026, households will be able to borrow slightly more to purchase a home, but this extra scope will only arise if income actually increases. Without a wage increase, the maximum mortgage would actually decrease.

The borrowing capacity is linked to income, among other things. Due to an expected wage increase of 4.1%, higher incomes in particular will be able to borrow slightly more. Please note: mortgage interest rates remain a determining factor. Higher interest rates can quickly limit the extra borrowing capacity.

Mortgage capacity in 2026 compared to 2025

Source: NIBUD Mortgage Standards 2026 advice

Less benefit for highly energy-efficient homes
The additional borrowing capacity for homes with a high energy label will be reduced next year:

• A+++ will decrease from £30,000 to £25,000
• A++++ will decrease from £50,000 to £40,000
• The additional amount of £10,000 for sustainability measures for A+++ will be discontinued

This adjustment is related to the reduced financial benefit of solar panels and the disappearance of the net metering scheme in 2027. For homes with a lower label, the option to borrow an additional amount for sustainability measures will remain.

Stricter supervision of valuations
There will be more control over property valuations. In many cases, the valuation was higher than the purchase price. The government is therefore intervening by imposing stricter supervision on valuers. The maximum amount you can borrow in relation to the value of the property remains unchanged.

In summary: yes, there will be more borrowing scope, but only if your income increases and the benefit for highly energy-efficient homes decreases.