Many international organisations are based in The Hague, and many of our clients work for one. We have helped staff of, among others, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, Europol, the European Patent Office and the OPCW buy a home in the Netherlands.
What counts as an international organisation?
An international organisation is set up by an international treaty and is funded and staffed by its member states. It does not fall under Dutch employment law. Examples in the Netherlands include the European Union and United Nations bodies, the OPCW, NATO, the International Court of Justice, the European Patent Office and ESA/ESTEC. The Dutch government keeps the full overview of international organisations.
Can you get a mortgage if you work for an international organisation?
Yes. The organisation you work for does not change the rules. Lenders look at your income and your financial obligations, just as they do for any other buyer. What is different is how your income is taxed, and that affects how much you can borrow.
Why your mortgage works differently
Why does tax-exempt income matter?
If you work for an international organisation, your salary is usually (almost) entirely exempt from Dutch income tax. That sounds like only good news, but it has a side effect: you cannot deduct your mortgage interest. Your mortgage then falls in box 3 instead of box 1 of the Dutch tax system, and that lowers how much you can borrow.
What does grossing up your income mean?
Because your net salary is high compared to your gross salary, some lenders gross up your income: they work out what your gross salary would be if you paid Dutch tax, and use that figure to calculate your mortgage. Only a handful of lenders do this, so the choice is limited. The alternative is to apply without grossing up and look at other lenders. We calculate both, so you can see which route gives you the most room.
Does your partner's income change things?
It can. If your partner has an income that is taxed in the Netherlands, that changes the calculation and can open up more options. We include it from the first meeting.
What does our advice cost?
The first meeting is always free and without obligation. We work on a no cure, no pay basis: you only pay when your mortgage is arranged. The fee depends on your situation, and you will know it before you decide to go ahead.
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Background on lenders, documents and pensions: getting a mortgage while working for an international organisation. Buying in The Hague in general? Read about expat mortgages in The Hague.