What criteria determine a positive decision on your loan application?

When you apply for a new loan, our brokers carefully assess several key criteria to ensure that your financing request is realistic and compatible with your lifestyle. Beyond the project itself, lenders want to be certain that you are solvent and capable of repaying your monthly installments at every stage of the contract.

Your professional situation plays a central role: being employed under a permanent contract or having stable, regular income is a major advantage. You will generally be asked for your last three pay slips as well as bank statements confirming that your income is actually paid into your account. All ongoing credit contracts must also be declared to obtain a complete picture of your financial commitments.

Another essential aspect is your credit history. It will be checked that you are not listed at the National Bank of Belgium or, if you have been, that the removal of your listing dates back more than one year. Finally, based on all this information, our brokers calculate and analyze your debt ratio, which often becomes the final deciding factor.

What is the debt ratio and how is it calculated?

The debt ratio represents the proportion of your monthly income that is already committed to repaying debts and ongoing credits. It is expressed as a percentage and allows you — and the lender — to measure your true borrowing capacity.

For example, Mr. François Castel works in a service company and receives a net monthly salary of €2,750. Each month, he repays €1,250 for his mortgage loan, €350 for his car financing, and €278 for a personal loan. His total monthly charges therefore amount to €1,878.

How to interpret your debt ratio?

To obtain a new loan under good conditions, the recommended debt ratio generally ranges between 30% and 50% maximum. Below 30%, your budget is considered comfortable; beyond 50%, the risk of over-indebtedness increases significantly and lenders will be more hesitant.

If you are not a homeowner, your debt ratio should not exceed 40%. This margin takes into account the fact that tenants do not build up real estate assets and have fewer guarantees to offer to lenders. On the other hand, if you already own your home, the admissible debt ratio can reach up to 50%, because your property serves as additional security.

In the example of Mr. Castel, with a debt ratio of 68%, a new loan would almost certainly be refused. His monthly payments are already consuming most of his income, leaving very little room for unforeseen events or new projects. This is exactly the kind of situation where a well-thought-out restructuring of debts can make a real difference.

Can credit consolidation improve your situation?

When you are repaying several loans taken out separately (car financing, personal loan, credit cards, etc.), it may be wise to consider a credit consolidation. This solution allows you to group all your existing credits into a single loan, with a single monthly installment and a clearer, more manageable budget overview.

In the case of Mr. Castel, our brokers would recommend a credit consolidation as part of a mortgage loan. By restructuring his debts into one single loan, his total monthly installment would drop to around €1,450 instead of €1,878. His debt ratio would then be approximately 52%, which is already more acceptable and could even allow him to include a small additional amount for a new project.

This type of solution must always be studied carefully and customized. Our role is to analyze your income, your net monthly budget, possible alimony payments, and whether or not you have a co-borrower, in order to find the balance between lowering your monthly charges and keeping the total cost of credit under control.

If you want to cope with an unexpected event, finance a new project, or simply clarify what your maximum debt ratio should be, Crédit Populaire Européen supports you at every step. Our brokers take a comprehensive view of your situation and help you find the most suitable solution.

Why work with our brokers?

Do not hesitate to contact our brokers for a confidential review of your situation and to explore the best options available to you in 2026.