Prepare Your Mortgage Loan Application Like a Pro in 2026
Buying or renovating a property remains one of the safest long-term investments in Belgium. To secure the right mortgage loan on the best possible terms, your application file must be clear, complete, and perfectly aligned with your financial profile.
With nearly 20 years of experience in mortgage credit, our brokers help you build a solid, realistic and sustainable financing plan, so you feel confident for the next 15 to 25 years. Get your free simulation for Mortgage LoanGet Your File Ready Before Seeing the Bank
A well-prepared mortgage file increases your chances of approval and improves your negotiation power.
- Clarify your budget and your own funds
- Gather all required official documents
- Understand the extra costs: notary, deed, taxes
Key Elements to Prepare Your Mortgage Loan Application File
- Importance, nature and stability of your income (employee, self-employed, fixed-term contract, etc.);
- Statement from the National Bank of Belgium confirming that you are not listed for unpaid credit litigation;
- Your age as well as the importance and duration of the desired loan;
- All your fixed charges (other loans, leases, alimony, recurring commitments);
- Purchase price and total cost of the property in relation to your financial profile;
- Personal funds you can contribute to the transaction and to the related costs.
Mortgage Loan Formulas and Additional Costs
When you buy a property, the purchase price is only part of the total budget. You must also take into account several mandatory additional costs which are added to the amount of the acquisition and which are usually not fully financed by the bank. In most cases, the bank will only grant a mortgage loan corresponding to the market value of the property. You will therefore need to have personal funds available to cover the ancillary costs such as:- Credit deed fees related to the drafting and registration of the mortgage deed;
- Notary fees, including registration duties and various administrative expenses;
- Possible appraisal, file or account opening fees depending on the lender’s policy.
Plan Your Budget in Advance
A realistic view of your total project cost is essential before signing any compromise or sales agreement.By anticipating the share financed by the bank and the portion to be covered with your own funds, you avoid unpleasant surprises at the time of signing the deed.
Reduction of Registration Fees for Modest Properties
For a first purchase, Belgian law may allow a reduction of notary and registration fees if the property is considered a modest dwelling. In this case, the normal registration fee rate (12.5% or 10%) can be reduced to 6% or 5%, which significantly lowers your ancillary costs. To benefit from this advantage, several conditions must be met, particularly concerning the cadastral income and the composition of your household. The basic condition is to have a cadastral income of a maximum of €745. Above this amount, the normal rate applies.Increased Ceiling for Large Families
The ceiling of €745 can be increased depending on the number of dependent children in your household:
- €845 for a buyer with three or four dependent children;
- €945 if they have five or six dependent children;
- €1,045 if they have seven or more dependent children.
These mechanisms can considerably reduce the total cost of your real estate project. Our brokers guide you through the applicable regional rules and help you estimate the taxes and duties specific to your case.
- Check your current credits and avoid new financing just before applying for your mortgage.
- Prepare proof of income (salary slips, tax returns, accounts if self-employed).
- Anticipate possible changes (family, professional, renovation projects) over the next 10 to 20 years.
- Compare several scenarios (duration, rate, own funds) with the help of a broker rather than relying on a single offer.
Real estate taxation and the impact of cadastral income on your annual property tax are key elements of the total cost of ownership. Understanding them helps you assess the real long-term burden of your investment.
Our upcoming articles will focus on:
- Real estate taxation in the different Belgian regions;
- Possible reductions or exemptions of property tax (cadastral income);
- How to integrate these charges into your overall mortgage budget in 2026 and beyond.
Why Work With Our Mortgage Loan Brokers?
Independent advice, clear explanations and a sustainable strategy for your real estate project.
Nearly 20 Years of Expertise
Our brokers specialize in mortgage loans and know the expectations of banks inside out. You benefit from professional, independent support at every step of your project, from the first simulation to the signing of the deed.
Tailor-Made Financing
We analyze your income, your expenses, and your real estate project to build a financing solution that remains comfortable over the long term, with a repayment level adapted to your lifestyle and your future ambitions.
Secure and Transparent Process
We explain each cost, each clause and each scenario in clear terms. You know exactly what you are signing for, with no hidden surprises, so you can move forward confidently with your real estate project in 2026.
Ready to prepare your mortgage loan application?
Get a free, no-obligation simulation and find out which mortgage solution best matches your project and your financial profile.