23 October 2025

Financing your real estate purchase

Buying a property is often one of the most important investments in a lifetime. To carry out When it comes to this project, it is essential to understand the financing mechanisms available, to assess your borrowing capacity and to choose the type of credit best suited to your financial and asset situation.

Borrowing capacity

Borrowing capacity determines the maximum amount that a buyer can obtain from a financial institution to finance his or her real estate project. It depends on several criteria, such as salary, monthly charges, other loans in progress, etc. 

Banks generally require a personal contribution intended mainly to cover acquisition costs and to reassure lenders about the borrower's ability to manage their budget.


 Useful tool

CBC Mortgage Simulator

Types of real estate loans

In Belgium, the choice of mortgage depends on your financial profile, your long-term goals and your risk tolerance. Here are the main types of loans:

The fixed-rate loan

  • The monthly payments remain constant throughout the term of the loan.
  • More secure, but generally more expensive initially.
  • Ideal for borrowers who want maximum predictability on their budget.

The variable-rate loan

  • Monthly payments may vary at regular intervals (annually, every 5 or 10 years).
  • Generally more attractive at the outset thanks to a lower initial rate.
  • Risk: monthly payments can increase if market interest rates rise, but there is generally a limit of 2 to 3% maximum on both the increase and the decrease).

Blended loans

  • Combination of fixed and variable rate.
  • A first fixed-rate period, followed by a variable-rate period.
  • Provides flexibility while limiting risk.

Bullet loan (in fine)

  • The borrower only repays the interest during the term of the loan.
  • The capital is repaid in a single instalment at maturity.
  • Often used by real estate investors to optimize their taxation.

The bridging loan or bridging loan

  • This type of credit is generally used by buyers who need to finance a new acquisition while they have not yet sold their own home necessary to finance the operation. 
  • This type of loan is often more expensive than a normal loan and is generally fixed for a maximum period of 2 years. 

 Astuteness

Have several simulations carried out by different banks to compare offers, or ask a credit broker to carry out these comparisons for you. Please note: bank rates may fluctuate depending on the energy label of the property you want to acquire!

Special case of non-residents

The acquisition of a property by a non-resident is quite possible, but it obeys specific rules, often more demanding than those applicable to Belgian tax residents. Banks and financial institutions are adopting generally a more cautious approach, given the perceived risk of geographical remoteness and the potential difficulty of collecting receivables in the event of default.

Specific conditions for non-residents:

  • Higher personal contribution: Usually 30 to 50% of the purchase price.
  • Enhanced safeguards: Compulsory mortgage, sometimes bank guarantee.
  • Stable and documented income: Proof of income, bank statements.
  • Generally higher interest rates: Slight increase compared to Belgian residents (higher level of risk and need to compensate for the additional administrative costs associated with managing an international case).

In addition, the conditions for accessing loans may vary depending on the borrower's country of residence, especially for residents outside the European Union, where the requirements may be even stricter.

b. Required documents and supporting documents

  • Valid passport.
  • Proof of income and professional stability.
  • Bank statements for the last 6 months.

c. Practical advice for non-residents

  • Prepare your application rigorously and provide clear and translated documents if necessary.
  • Anticipate the amount of personal contribution required to avoid unpleasant surprises.
  • Consult a broker or bank specialising in loans to non-residents to benefit from appropriate support.
  • Consider exchange rates if your income is in a currency other than the euro.

🔎 Discover all the steps of the Belgian Property Buyer's Guide: