Buying a flat — decision assistant
Buying a flat is usually the biggest financial decision of your life — yet many people start by browsing listings before checking how much they can actually borrow and whether renting works out better. This assistant reverses the order: first capacity and cash, then rent-vs-buy on your own numbers, and only at the end — how to finance and how to pay off faster. It walks through four phases, each linking the calculator that computes it for your situation. It doesn't say 'buy' or 'wait': it shows the numbers and leaves the decision to you.
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Phase 1 — how much you can realistically put toward it
Three numbers give a quick picture: the instalment you can carry and the flat price within your reach. It's a rough estimate — full capacity is computed in the calculator below.
Phase 2 — compute it precisely
A rough figure isn't enough for a decision this big. Two calculators give hard numbers: full borrowing capacity and the real cash needed to start — because the down payment isn't all you'll pay at purchase.
1. Compute full borrowing capacity
The capacity calculator factors in household size, living costs, term and interest rate — giving a figure closer to what the bank will actually compute.
Open the capacity calculator →2. Check how much cash you really need
The down payment is only part. Add transfer tax (2% on the secondary market), notary fee, land-register entry, agent commission. The down-payment calculator shows the full starting amount.
Open the down-payment calculator →With full capacity and the real starting cash, you know whether the purchase is within reach — and what flat you can realistically look for. That's the moment to ask the phase-3 question.
Phase 3 — or does renting win?
Buying doesn't always beat renting — it depends on the city, the time horizon and what you do with the saved cash. Before committing to a 25-year loan, check both routes on the same numbers.
Compare renting and buying for your city
The rent-vs-buy calculator plugs in your city's market data and shows after how many years buying starts to win — including the opportunity cost of the down payment.
Open: rent or buy →If you plan to stay fewer than a few years, or prices in your city are high relative to rents, renting can be rational — and you can invest the saved cash. If the horizon is long, buying usually wins. The calculator's numbers show your threshold.
Phase 4 — how to finance and pay off faster
Once you know you're buying, two things remain: pick the loan and plan how to pay it off faster. Overpaying a mortgage is one of the most effective savings that exist.
Plan your overpayment
The overpayment calculator shows how much interest you'll save and how much you'll shorten the loan if you overpay. Even a small regular overpayment can shorten a 30-year loan by several years.
Open the overpayment calculator →A foreigner? Check the mortgage requirements for foreigners
Non-EEA foreigners may need a permit to buy property, and banks set extra requirements. See what applies to you.
→The financing recommendation and overpayment strategy come last, because only now do you have the full set: capacity, starting cash, and the knowledge that buying beats renting for your situation. It's the opposite of starting by browsing listings.
Informational material, not investment, lending or legal advice. The rough instalment and capacity in phase 1 are a simplified estimate — the bank computes capacity by its own methodology, factoring in spending, contract type and credit history. The lending decision and terms depend on the bank. Consult a mortgage adviser before committing. As of 03.08.2026.