If you work in the Netherlands, you may come across the Dutch word arbeidsongeschikt. It is commonly translated as occupationally disabled, unfit for work or unable to work because of illness or disability.
Becoming arbeidsongeschikt can have a major effect on your income. For expats who want to buy a home, already have a mortgage or are currently applying for one, it can also change the income a Dutch mortgage lender is willing to use.
The Dutch system distinguishes between ordinary sickness, long-term inability to work, and different types of statutory benefits. Whether your income can still be used for a mortgage therefore depends heavily on where you are in that process.
This guide explains what arbeidsongeschikt means, how the Dutch WIA system works, the difference between WGA and IVA, and what occupational disability can mean for your mortgage in the Netherlands.
What Does Arbeidsongeschikt Mean?
Arbeidsongeschikt literally refers to being unable, either completely or partially, to work and earn the income you could earn before becoming ill or disabled.
In everyday language, someone may say they are arbeidsongeschikt simply because an illness or injury prevents them from doing their normal job. Under the Dutch WIA system, however, the assessment is more specific.
The important question is not only whether you can still perform your previous job. UWV also assesses how much you could theoretically still earn through suitable work compared with your previous earning capacity.
This difference matters because someone can be unable to return to their original occupation while still having enough remaining earning capacity that they are not considered sufficiently occupationally disabled for a WIA benefit.
For expats, useful English translations of arbeidsongeschikt include:
Occupationally disabled
Unfit for work
Unable to work
Incapacitated for work
Partially disabled for work
Fully disabled for work
There is no single English translation that perfectly describes every Dutch legal situation. When dealing with a mortgage lender, employer, or advisor, it is therefore often useful to refer to the exact Dutch benefit or assessment involved, such as WIA, WGA, or IVA.
Arbeidsongeschikt Is Not the Same as Being on Sick Leave
Being sick does not automatically mean you are officially considered arbeidsongeschikt under the WIA.
When an employee in the Netherlands becomes ill, the first stage will normally involve continued salary payments from the employer and a process aimed at returning the employee to work.
An employer generally has to continue paying at least 70% of the employee’s salary for a maximum of 104 weeks. An employment contract or collective labour agreement may provide more favourable conditions.
Some people receive a Ziektewet benefit from UWV instead of normal continued salary from an employer.
Only after a prolonged period of illness does a WIA assessment normally become relevant.
If you are currently within the first two years of sickness, receiving continued salary or receiving a Ziektewet benefit, your situation is different from someone who has already received a formal WIA decision.
This distinction is particularly important for a mortgage because lenders assess current and future income differently.
What Is the WIA?
WIA stands for Wet werk en inkomen naar arbeidsvermogen, which can be translated as the Work and Income according to Labour Capacity Act.
The WIA provides income protection for employees who remain significantly unable to earn their previous income after a long period of illness.
In most situations, a WIA assessment takes place after approximately 104 weeks of sickness.
UWV assesses how much you were able to earn before becoming ill and how much you could still earn despite your limitations. The difference is used to determine your occupational disability percentage.
Generally, you need to have lost at least 35% of your earning capacity before you can qualify for a WIA benefit.
That means being unable to perform your original job does not automatically guarantee a WIA benefit. Your remaining ability to earn income through other suitable work is also relevant.
How Is Your Occupational Disability Percentage Calculated?
Your WIA percentage is based primarily on loss of earning capacity.
Imagine that before becoming ill you could earn €4,000 gross per month. Following the UWV assessment, suitable work is identified through which you could theoretically still earn €2,400 per month.
Your loss of earning capacity would be €1,600.
That represents 40% of your previous earning capacity. In simplified terms, you would therefore be assessed as 40% occupationally disabled.
The actual UWV calculation is more detailed. A medical assessment first determines your functional limitations. An occupational disability specialist then considers which forms of work are compatible with those limitations and what you could still earn.
For mortgage purposes, the resulting benefit decision can become an important document because it establishes what kind of WIA benefit you receive, its amount, and, where applicable, its duration.
Less Than 35% Occupationally Disabled
If UWV determines that your loss of earning capacity is less than 35%, you generally do not qualify for a WIA benefit.
This does not necessarily mean that you have fully recovered. You may still have medical limitations or be unable to perform your previous position.
However, under the WIA assessment, your remaining earning capacity is considered high enough that you fall below the threshold for a WIA benefit.
For a mortgage application, the next question becomes what income you actually receive after the assessment.
If you return to stable employment with a sufficiently predictable income, a lender may eventually be able to base the mortgage calculation on that employment income. If your working hours, employment, or earnings are still changing, the lender may take a more cautious approach.
What Is a WGA Benefit?
WGA stands for Werkhervatting Gedeeltelijk Arbeidsgeschikten.
The WGA is intended for people who can still work to some extent, or who are currently fully unable to work but whose situation is not considered permanently and sustainably fully disabled.
You may therefore fall into the WGA if you are partially occupationally disabled or if UWV expects that your ability to work could improve in the future.
The WGA system contains several different benefit phases. These can include a salary-related benefit followed, depending on your situation, by another form of WGA benefit.
That distinction is extremely important when applying for a mortgage.
Can You Get a Mortgage With a WGA Benefit?
A WGA benefit does not automatically make a Dutch mortgage impossible, but lenders must look closely at how stable and predictable the income is.
For an NHG mortgage, the salary-related WGA benefit can generally be taken into account for the established period during which that benefit will be paid.
Later WGA benefits are more complicated. If their future amount and duration are not sufficiently fixed, they cannot simply be treated as permanent qualifying income.
This means a lender may need to assess what happens to your income after the current WGA period ends.
Your mortgage possibilities may also depend on:
Income you still earn from employment
The type of WGA benefit you receive
How long the current benefit continues
Your assessed remaining earning capacity
Your partner’s income
Your savings
Existing financial commitments
The requested mortgage amount
Whether NHG applies
The individual lender’s acceptance policy
A person receiving a WGA benefit should therefore not rely solely on a standard online mortgage calculator.
The income you enter into a calculator may not be the same income a mortgage lender is allowed or willing to use.
What Is an IVA Benefit?
IVA stands for Inkomensvoorziening Volledig Arbeidsongeschikten.
The IVA is intended for people who are fully or almost fully occupationally disabled and whose disability is considered sustainable.
In general, this means that your earning capacity has been reduced by at least 80% and there is little or no realistic prospect of sufficient recovery.
The IVA therefore differs significantly from the WGA.
With the WGA, future working capacity or income may still change. With the IVA, UWV has concluded that the occupational disability is both severe and sustainable.
That greater predictability can make a substantial difference when a mortgage lender assesses the income.
Can You Get a Mortgage With an IVA Benefit?
An IVA benefit can, under the applicable mortgage rules, provide a considerably stronger basis for mortgage qualification than many temporary benefits.
Under NHG rules, IVA income can generally be included in qualifying income for the full term of the mortgage, subject to the applicable conditions and the applicant’s overall financial situation.
This does not mean that everyone receiving IVA automatically qualifies for a mortgage.
The lender still has to assess factors including:
The amount of the IVA benefit
Your other income
Your partner’s income
Your age
Existing loans and financial obligations
The value of the property
The requested mortgage
Applicable mortgage interest
NHG eligibility
The lender’s own acceptance criteria
However, the long-term nature of an IVA benefit means that it can be treated differently from a temporary benefit whose future amount is still uncertain.
If you receive an IVA benefit, provide your mortgage advisor with the official UWV decision and the associated benefit specification. These documents can be important when establishing your qualifying income.
WGA Versus IVA for a Mortgage
The difference between WGA and IVA is one of the most important things to understand when you are arbeidsongeschikt and want a mortgage.
WGA generally involves an expectation that you may still earn income through work now or in the future. Your benefit can also move through different phases.
IVA is intended for people who are fully and sustainably occupationally disabled, making the income position more predictable.
For a mortgage lender, predictability is critical.
A lender is not simply interested in how much money enters your bank account today. It must assess whether that income can reasonably be expected to continue while you are responsible for the mortgage.
That is why two applicants receiving WIA can have very different mortgage possibilities.
Can You Get a Mortgage While You Are Still in the First Two Years of Illness?
This situation is different from receiving a WIA benefit.
During the first 104 weeks of sickness, you may still receive salary from your employer or a Ziektewet benefit.
Even if your employer continues paying 100% of your salary, a lender may need to take your sickness into account if your future income has become uncertain.
Relevant questions can include:
Are you currently working?
Are you participating in reintegration?
Is your salary being reduced?
Do you have a permanent or temporary employment contract?
Will your contract continue?
Have your working hours changed?
Is a WIA assessment expected?
Is your income likely to decrease?
For this reason, you must tell your mortgage advisor if you are currently ill or reintegrating.
Your normal payslip may show your full salary while failing to show that your future income could change substantially.
Already Have a Mortgage and Become Arbeidsongeschikt?
Becoming occupationally disabled does not automatically change your existing mortgage.
Your mortgage agreement and monthly payment obligations continue.
The immediate financial effect depends on what happens to your household income.
During the initial sickness period, you may still receive salary. Later, your income could consist of employment income, a WIA benefit or a combination of income sources.
The earlier you understand the expected income change, the easier it is to assess whether your mortgage remains affordable.
If you are concerned that your income will no longer be sufficient, contact your mortgage advisor before payment problems develop.
Depending on your circumstances, it may be possible to examine your mortgage structure, household budget, available savings and other solutions.
If your mortgage has NHG, separate management criteria may also become relevant when an income change affects the affordability of an existing mortgage.
The possibilities for keeping an existing home are not necessarily the same as the acceptance rules used when applying for a completely new mortgage.
What Happens If You Become Arbeidsongeschikt During a Mortgage Application?
Tell your mortgage advisor immediately.
This also applies when you became ill after:
Receiving an initial mortgage calculation
Making an offer on a property
Signing the purchase agreement
Submitting your mortgage application
Receiving a mortgage offer
Arranging the notary appointment
A mortgage application is based on information about your income and employment situation.
If that information changes before completion, your application may need to be assessed again.
Do not assume that the original calculation remains valid simply because your current payslip has not changed yet.
Informing your advisor early gives you the best opportunity to determine whether the application can continue and whether another lender, mortgage amount or approach is required.
Does Arbeidsongeschiktheid Reduce Your Maximum Mortgage?
It can.
Your maximum mortgage is based partly on the qualifying income a lender is prepared to use.
If occupational disability causes your income to fall, or introduces uncertainty about future income, your borrowing capacity can decrease.
The precise impact depends on whether your income consists of:
Continued employment income
Reduced employment income
A salary-related WGA benefit
Another WGA benefit
An IVA benefit
Partner income
Income from another accepted source
A standard mortgage calculator cannot fully assess these circumstances.
You may enter €50,000 of annual income into a calculator, while a lender can only use part of that amount because one income component is temporary.
Always have the result checked by a mortgage advisor before making a financial commitment.
What If Your Partner Still Has a Stable Income?
A partner’s qualifying income can make an important difference.
It may sometimes be possible to obtain a mortgage based largely or completely on your partner’s income, even when your own income cannot currently be included in full.
Whether this works depends on the amount you need to borrow and the complete financial position of both applicants.
The lender will still need an accurate picture of your own income, benefits and financial commitments if you will both be parties to the mortgage.
Having a partner with sufficient income therefore does not mean your occupational disability should be left out of the application.
What If You Are Self-Employed?
The position of a self-employed expat differs from that of an employee.
Do not assume that the same statutory WIA protection automatically applies to your entrepreneurial income.
Your ability to continue earning business income after illness can therefore create a different type of financial risk.
For a mortgage application, lenders normally focus on the sustainable income generated by your business and the evidence used to determine your entrepreneurial income.
If illness has materially affected your business results, working hours or expected future income, discuss this with your mortgage advisor before applying.
Private disability insurance can also be relevant for entrepreneurs, but this is a separate subject from the statutory occupational disability rules explained on this page.
What If You Receive a Foreign Disability Benefit?
Expats sometimes receive disability or occupational incapacity benefits from another country.
A foreign benefit is not automatically treated in exactly the same way as a Dutch WIA benefit.
The lender may need to understand:
Which country pays the benefit
Which organisation guarantees it
How long the benefit continues
Whether the amount can change
Which currency is used
Whether reassessments are possible
How the benefit is taxed
Whether it continues if you live in the Netherlands
Foreign currency income can also create additional mortgage considerations.
If you receive a foreign disability benefit, provide the full official benefit decision and payment documentation to your advisor as early as possible.
Which Documents Can Be Needed for a Mortgage With WIA?
The exact requirements vary by lender and by situation.
If you receive WIA, documents may include your official UWV decision, recent benefit specifications and documents relating to any employment income you still receive.
Your advisor may also require:
Recent payslips
Your employment contract
An employer’s statement
Your UWV benefit decision
Recent UWV benefit specifications
Information showing the duration of a temporary benefit
Proof of current employment income
Bank statements where required
Documents relating to your partner’s income
Evidence of savings or other assets
Information about existing loans and financial obligations
A lender is primarily interested in the financial consequences of your occupational disability and the sustainability of the income used for the mortgage.
Your mortgage advisor does not need unnecessary details about your medical diagnosis simply to determine your borrowing capacity.
Example 1: Partially Arbeidsongeschikt and Still Working
Suppose you previously earned €60,000 per year.
Following a long-term illness, you return to work for fewer hours and receive employment income alongside a WGA benefit.
A lender cannot simply add every current payment together and assume that total income will continue for 30 years.
The advisor must examine which part of the income is sustainable, how long the current WGA benefit continues, and what could happen after that period.
Your actual mortgage capacity can therefore be lower than an online calculator initially suggests.
Example 2: Receiving an IVA Benefit
Suppose UWV determines that you are fully and sustainably occupationally disabled and awards an IVA benefit.
Because this type of benefit has a much more permanent character, it can generally provide a stronger basis for a mortgage calculation than a temporary WGA payment.
The lender still needs to assess the benefit amount, your total household income, financial commitments, and the requested loan.
The IVA decision itself does not guarantee mortgage approval, but it may provide qualifying income that can be used in the calculation.
Example 3: Your Partner Has Sufficient Income
Suppose you receive a WGA benefit that cannot be fully used for the requested mortgage, while your partner has a permanent employment contract and sufficient qualifying income.
It may still be possible to finance the home using mainly your partner’s income.
An advisor can calculate whether the requested mortgage remains affordable without relying on income that the lender considers uncertain.
Example 4: You Recover and Return to Work
Suppose you were previously on long-term sick leave but have now fully returned to your normal position and salary.
Your mortgage possibilities may improve considerably once your employment and income have become stable again.
The lender may still ask for updated payslips, an employer’s statement, and other evidence showing your current situation.
There is no universal rule stating that every applicant must wait a fixed number of months after returning to work. The circumstances and lender policy determine what is required.
Why Expats Should Have Their Situation Assessed Individually
Occupational disability cases can already be complicated for Dutch nationals. For expats, the financial situation can contain additional factors.
You may have:
A foreign employment history
A temporary residence position
Income from multiple countries
Foreign currency income
A foreign partner
A foreign disability benefit
Savings outside the Netherlands
An international employment contract
That means a standard Dutch explanation of arbeidsongeschiktheid does not always answer the mortgage question.
At Expat Mortgage Platform, we look at the complete situation rather than only the name of the benefit you receive.
Speak to an Expat Mortgage Advisor
Are you arbeidsongeschikt, receiving WIA, or expecting your income to change because of long-term illness?
Speak to a mortgage advisor before making an offer on a property or assuming that an existing mortgage calculation is still valid.
We can assess your employment income, WIA benefit, partner income, savings, and the acceptance criteria of different mortgage lenders.
The goal is simple: determine which income can realistically be used and how much you can responsibly borrow.
Your first consultation with Expat Mortgage Platform is free and non-binding.
Schedule your free consultation with an expat mortgage advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arbeidsongeschikt, WIA and Mortgages
What does arbeidsongeschikt mean in English?
Arbeidsongeschikt can be translated as occupationally disabled, unfit for work, or unable to work. In the Dutch WIA system, the concept relates largely to how much earning capacity you have lost because of illness or disability.
Is arbeidsongeschikt the same as sick leave?
No. You can be on sick leave without receiving a WIA occupational disability benefit. Employees generally first go through a period of continued salary payments, Ziektewet where applicable, and reintegration. WIA normally becomes relevant after long-term sickness.
After how long can you receive WIA?
A WIA assessment normally takes place after approximately 104 weeks of sickness. Whether you qualify depends on your assessed loss of earning capacity and other applicable conditions.
How arbeidsongeschikt do you need to be for WIA?
Generally, your assessed loss of earning capacity needs to be at least 35% before you qualify for WIA.
What is the difference between WGA and IVA?
WGA is intended for people who are partially occupationally disabled or fully disabled without the disability being considered sustainable. IVA is intended for people who are fully or almost fully and sustainably occupationally disabled.
Can I get a mortgage with WIA?
Possibly. The answer depends heavily on the type of WIA benefit. An IVA benefit can generally provide a more stable basis for mortgage qualification. WGA income requires a closer assessment because the benefit can be temporary or change over time.
Can a WGA benefit be used for a mortgage?
A salary-related WGA benefit may be included for its established duration under applicable NHG rules. Other future WGA income may be more difficult to include if its amount and duration are not sufficiently certain.
Can an IVA benefit be used for a mortgage?
Yes, an IVA benefit can generally be included as qualifying income under applicable mortgage rules, including for the full mortgage term under NHG conditions. Normal affordability and lender acceptance requirements still apply.
Can I get a mortgage if I am still working part-time?
Possibly. Your employment income may be combined with other accepted income depending on your circumstances. The lender will assess whether your income is sufficiently sustainable.
Can I get a mortgage while reintegrating?
Mortgage applications during reintegration can be more difficult because your future working hours and income may not yet be certain. Have your situation assessed before relying on an online borrowing calculation.
Do I have to tell my mortgage advisor that I am arbeidsongeschikt?
Yes. If your illness, occupational disability, benefit or reintegration affects your employment or income, your advisor needs that information to make an accurate mortgage assessment.
Do I need to disclose my medical diagnosis?
A mortgage advisor is primarily concerned with your employment, income, and financial situation. You should provide the information required for an accurate assessment, but unnecessary medical details are not normally relevant to calculating your mortgage.
What if I become arbeidsongeschikt after getting a mortgage?
Your mortgage does not automatically end or change. You remain responsible for the monthly payments. Review your expected household income early and contact your advisor if affordability could become a problem.
What if I become ill during my mortgage application?
Tell your mortgage advisor immediately. A significant change in employment or income can affect the lender’s assessment, even if you already received an initial mortgage calculation or mortgage offer.
Does a mortgage calculator work if I receive WIA?
A normal mortgage calculator can only provide a rough indication. It cannot determine how a lender will treat different WIA benefits or temporary income components. A personal assessment is necessary.
Is disability insurance the same as WIA?
No. WIA is a statutory Dutch employee insurance system. Private disability insurance is a separate form of income protection. The two should not be confused when assessing your income or mortgage.
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