How Long Should You Repay Your Mortgage Loan?
Choosing the right mortgage loan duration is a key decision that impacts your monthly payments, the total cost of your project and the way a bank assesses your file. A well-structured term protects both your budget and your future plans.
Whether you are buying a property, renovating your home or restructuring your debts, the number of years over which you repay your mortgage is a fundamental parameter. With the right guidance, you can find a duration that balances security, flexibility and long-term cost.
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Our expert brokers analyse your personal situation, your income and your project to help you define:
- The optimal duration for your mortgage loan
- A comfortable monthly instalment adapted to your lifestyle
- The impact of the term on the total interest you will pay
Take a few minutes to discuss your project and obtain a personalised proposal without obligation.
A Mortgage Loan: For Which Types of Projects?
A mortgage loan is often associated with the purchase of a house or an apartment, but it can finance many other projects. As long as a real estate asset is used as collateral, you can use this type of financing to optimise your overall budget and structure your debts in a smarter way.
Beyond a classic purchase, a mortgage loan can help you invest in your comfort, increase the value of your property or stabilise your financial situation by gathering several loans into one. The key is to choose the right product and duration for each objective.
Here are some examples of projects that can be financed with a mortgage loan:
Improve and equip your home
- Renovating your house (energy upgrades, extensions, roofing, etc.)
- Furnishing and fitting out your interior
Optimise your existing loans
- Consolidating all your different loans into a single monthly payment
- Taking out a loan in a delicate situation (self-employed or listed with the BNB)
Each project requires a tailored analysis of the amount borrowed, the guarantees offered and the loan duration. A broker can help you align all these elements so your mortgage remains both acceptable for the bank and comfortable for you.
What Are the Possible Durations for a Mortgage Loan?
In 2026, you can generally repay your mortgage loan over a period ranging from 10 to 30 years. While, in the past, typical durations were 15 to 20 years, banks now sometimes accept longer terms, up to 30 years, particularly due to increased life expectancy and evolving financial habits.
A shorter term means higher monthly instalments but a lower total amount of interest. A longer term, on the other hand, reduces your monthly burden but increases the total cost of your loan. The right balance depends on your income, your other expenses and your tolerance for financial risk.
Shorter duration (10–15 years)
Higher monthly payments but lower total interest paid. This option suits borrowers who wish to repay quickly and can handle a tighter monthly budget.
Longer duration (20–30 years)
Lower monthly instalments and more breathing room for your day-to-day expenses, but a higher total cost of the mortgage because of additional interest over time.
How Banks Assess the Duration of Your Loan
When defining the duration of a mortgage loan, two main parameters are considered:
- The risk taken by the lending bank, which increases with time and uncertainty about your future income.
- The total amount of interest you will repay, which grows with each additional year of the term.
The longer your mortgage loan lasts, the higher the risk of insolvency for the lender and the greater the amount of interest paid by the end of the contract. This is why the interest rate can vary depending on the chosen duration and your overall profile.
Can You Negotiate the Rate for a Long-Term Mortgage Loan?
If you borrow over a period of 30 years, your interest rate will normally be higher because the bank is exposed to additional risk for a longer time. However, this does not mean your rate is fixed and non-negotiable.
If your solvency guarantees are strong (stable income, good repayment history, solid collateral), you may obtain a more attractive rate by making a clear and motivated request. A specialised broker can also compare several financial institutions and negotiate on your behalf to secure better conditions.
Fixed or variable interest rate in 2026?
Specialists and analysts still anticipate possible movements and increases in interest rates over the coming years. In this context, choosing between a fixed and a variable rate has a direct impact on the predictability of your budget.
In many cases, a fixed rate is recommended for long-term security, especially if current rates remain in a historically reasonable range. This option protects you against future increases and makes your monthly payments easier to manage over the entire term of the loan.
A variable rate can initially be more attractive, but it may fluctuate upwards depending on the economic environment. Its suitability depends on your risk profile and your ability to absorb potential increases in monthly payments.
Mortgage Loan Duration for Seniors
In the past, obtaining a mortgage loan after the age of 50 was extremely difficult. Today, thanks to increased life expectancy and adapted banking solutions, it is still possible to take out a mortgage loan up to around the age of 60, and sometimes beyond, depending on each institution’s policy.
For a borrower around 60 years of age, a duration of up to 15 years is often possible, provided that the amount borrowed and the guarantees offered are consistent with their personal situation. The bank will carefully analyse your income, assets and the structure of the file before accepting the proposed term.
When the loan is co-signed by future heirs (for example, children), the mortgage loan duration can sometimes be extended, as the risk is shared between several borrowers. Proper advice is essential to structure this type of operation and protect each party’s interests.
Get Personalised Advice on Your Mortgage Duration
Understanding the real cost of your mortgage loan requires more than a simple theoretical example. Each profile is unique, and the optimal duration depends on your income, your age, your long-term projects and your tolerance for financial risk.
Our specialist Mrs. Jacqueline LEGRAND, mortgage expert with over 20 years of experience, accompanies you from the first analysis of your situation to the choice of the most suitable loan structure. She helps you identify the right compromise between monthly payments, duration and total cost.
For a detailed study of your situation and to discover the formulas best suited to your project, do not hesitate to contact our brokers. They will guide you step by step and answer all your questions about mortgage loan duration, interest rates and guarantees requested by the banks.
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