Dutch mortgage market activity slowed in August 2026

The Dutch mortgage market experienced a period of calm in August 2026. According to data from the HDN Platform (Hypotheken Data Netwerk), 34,831 mortgage applications were submitted during the month, representing a 4 percent decrease compared to August 2025 and a significant drop from the 55,000 applications recorded in July 2026.

Of the total applications, 61 percent (21,284) were for home purchases, while 39 percent (13,547) were for purposes such as refinancing or increasing loan amounts. Notably, the segment for home renovations saw a resurgence, accounting for 17 percent of all applications with 5,796 requests.

The share of first-time buyers continued to decline, falling to 48.5 percent of home purchase applications from 52.5 percent the previous year. This decrease was particularly evident among starters seeking mortgages without the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG).