The 30% ruling in the Netherlands: what it is, how to get it, and the role it plays when buying a home
If you moved to the Netherlands for work, you may have heard about the 30% ruling — or you might already be benefiting from it.
If you already have the ruling and have been thinking about buying a home, you may be wondering one important thing:
What role does the 30% ruling play when applying for a mortgage?
For many internationals, the 30% ruling can make a noticeable difference in monthly income and long-term financial possibilities — including moving from renting to owning a home in the Netherlands.
At Domek we speak with people every day who want to understand how the ruling works, whether they qualify, and how it can be used strategically when planning to buy property.
If that sounds like you, this article will walk you through the essentials.
What is the 30% ruling?
The 30% ruling is a tax advantage offered by the Dutch government to certain international employees who move to the Netherlands for work.
It allows an employer to pay up to 30% of your salary tax-free, helping compensate for the additional costs of living abroad.
The rule is administered by the Belastingdienst.
For employees who qualify, this often means:
- Higher net income each month
- More financial flexibility while living in the Netherlands
- Greater room to plan long-term financial goals
The ruling is usually granted for up to five years, which can be a valuable period for building financial stability.
Who can get the 30% ruling?
You may qualify if the following conditions are met:
- You were recruited from outside the Netherlands or transferred by an international company
- You have specific expertise that is scarce in the Dutch labour market
- Your salary meets the minimum income threshold set by the government
- You lived more than 150 km from the Dutch border before starting the job
If these conditions apply to you, the 30% ruling can provide a meaningful financial advantage while building your life in the Netherlands.
How do you apply for the 30% ruling?
The application process is handled by your employer and submitted to the Dutch tax authorities.
In practice, this usually involves:
- Signing an agreement with your employer confirming the tax-free allowance
- Completing the official application form
- Submitting the request to the Belastingdienst
- Waiting for approval before the ruling appears on your payslip
Most employees rely on their employer or payroll department to arrange the process.
The role the 30% ruling plays when buying a home
One of the most common questions international professionals ask us is how the 30% ruling fits into a mortgage application.
The answer is encouraging: it can play a meaningful role, but how it is used depends on the bank.
Different lenders may treat the ruling in different ways. Some:
- include the ruling income fully in mortgage calculations
- include a portion of it
- or take the remaining duration of the ruling into account when structuring the mortgage
Because of these differences, the bank you apply to can significantly influence your borrowing capacity.
For someone unfamiliar with the Dutch mortgage system, this can be difficult to navigate alone.
But when handled with Domek, the 30% ruling can become a useful financial advantage rather than a complicated detail.
Where Domek helps you use the advantage
At Domek the goal is not just to explain the process — it is to help you make the most of your possibilities in the Netherlands.
- We understand how the ruling fits into your financial picture
- We calculate how much you may realistically be able to borrow
- We compare lenders that handle the ruling differently
- We structure your mortgage in a way that fits your situation
- We guide you step by step from the first calculation to the notary appointment
Everything is explained clearly and in your language, so you always know what your options are.
Curious what your options look like?
If you are using the 30% ruling and thinking about buying a home in the Netherlands, the first step is understanding what might be possible.
👉 Calculate your mortgage capacity here:
https://domek.nl/en/calculator/
Or speak with an advisor who understands international situations like yours.
👉 Book a free consultation with the team at Domek.nl and explore how the 30% ruling can play a role in your path toward owning a home.
No-one covers everything like we do.
With our experience, we can help you make the important decision of buying a home in the Netherlands.
Vehicle Insurance
Enter your license plate number to check your premium.
