Separating buy-to-let mortgages from other housing loans provides a clearer look into household debt

Abstract

The stock of buy-to-let mortgages stood at EUR 8.1 billion at the end of March 2021, comprising 7.9% of the total stock of housing loans. It is estimated that buy-to-let mortgages have grown faster than the rest of the housing loan stock since the global financial crisis. Buy-to-let mortgages are smaller than residential mortgages and have shorter repayment periods. In March 2021 the average interest rate applied on new buy-to-let mortgages was higher than on residential mortgages, but lower than the rate applied on housing company loans.