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BKR registration can make purchasing a home considerably more difficult. Mortgage lenders often refuse applications as soon as a negative registration is visible. However, registration does not always mean that you have to wait for years. In many cases you can get a mortgage again sooner or even have the registration removed.
At Arslan Advocaten we help clients who want to take out a mortgage but are hindered by an (unjustified) BKR registration. We investigate whether the registration is still valid and, where possible, ensure removal or shortening of the duration.
What does a BKR registration mean for your mortgage?
The Credit Registration Bureau (BKR) keeps track of which loans and payment arrears consumers have. Banks use this data to assess whether someone can borrow responsibly. A negative registration - for example by a telephone provider, credit card, private lease or arrears with a bank - can lead to your mortgage application being rejected.
Yet the system is not always fair. Unforeseen circumstances such as illness, job loss or divorce can cause you to temporarily fall behind on payments. Even if you have paid everything off properly, the negative registration will remain visible for another five years. This is not only an obstacle to getting a mortgage, but can also have consequences for taking out a car loan or even a telephone subscription.
What are the legal terms for positive and negative BKR registrations?
The legal retention period for BKR registrations differs between positive and negative registrations. The overview:
- Positive BKR registration: Do you have a loan that is being repaid properly and with no payment arrears? This registration will then remain visible for as long as the loan is valid and for another five years after the loan has been fully repaid. This is actually administrative evidence of financial discipline.
- Negative BKR registration (A coding): If you fall behind on payments, for example with a credit provider or telephone provider, you will receive a delinquency coding. This will remain visible until the backlog has been cleared. If you have paid everything properly, a recovery code (H) will be added and the five-year period will start from that moment—both the arrears code and the recovery code will then be visible during this period.
It is therefore important to know: the retention period only starts after the full debt or arrears have been paid. During these five years, lenders can gain insight into your financial history via the BKR.
What is the difference between positive and negative BKR registrations and their terms?
BKR registrations are divided into positive and negative registrations, each with their own consequences and terms.
- Positive BKR registration: This type of registration indicates that you have (had) a loan and have properly met your payment obligations. As long as the loan is valid, this registration remains visible to banks and other lenders. Even after you have repaid the loan in full, the positive registration will remain in the BKR register for another five years. This is usually not an obstacle when applying for a mortgage; on the contrary, it shows that you have paid off your debt properly.
- Negative BKR registration: If there is a backlog in payments – for example because you have temporarily not repaid your credit – a negative coding will be added to your BKR registration. In principle, such a registration remains visible as long as the backlog has not been cleared. After recovering the backlog, you will receive a recovery code. Yet both the original arrears coding and the recovery coding do not disappear until five years after the debt has been settled. During this period, a mortgage provider may decide to reject your application.
Due to the difference in terms and impact, it is important to have a good insight into yourBKR registration before you apply for a mortgage.
What do the different BKR encodings mean and how long do they last?
BKR uses different codes to indicate exactly what is going on with your loan or debt. Below is an overview of the most common codes, including the associated terms:
- Positive coding: This means that you have properly met your payment obligations. The registration remains as long as the credit runs and for five years after it has been fully repaid. This is a signal to banks that you have repaid reliably.
- A coding (arrears): If you have incurred payment arrears, banks will see this via an A coding. This will remain in place until the backlog has been cleared. As soon as you are back on schedule, an H-coding (recovery) will be added. Both will then remain visible for another five years.
- SR coding (debt relief scheme): Have you successfully completed a debt relief process? Since the beginning of 2025, a new, shorter period has applied: such a registration is deleted after six months, while previously it was five years. This is laid down in agreements with the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG). The five-year period may still apply to old registrations.
- 2 coding (repayability): If you get this coding, it means that the loan could be recovered sooner—an important signal for lenders. This coding will remain in place for five years after the debt has been fully settled or paid off.
- 3 coding (final residual debt): Indicates that a residual debt remained after termination of the credit. This coding also remains visible for five years after the debt has been repaid or fully settled.
Knowing your codings is essential when planning to apply for a mortgage. Sometimes it is possible to discuss whether your registration can be deleted earlier or the term can be shortened—especially in the case of special situations or recent regulations.
How long does a BKR registration remain valid?
A negative registration will remain for five years after the payment arrears have been resolved. During this period, lenders may refuse your application. However, you do not always have to wait the full five years: under certain circumstances you can submit a request for removal or reduction.
Why does it keep BKR registrations for five years?
It is a frequently asked question: why do BKR registrations remain visible for years, even after the debt has been settled? This has everything to do with the way in which lenders want to guarantee responsible lending behavior.
BKR uses the five-year term for the following reasons:
- Insight into payment behavior: Lenders can assess whether someone uses credit in a structurally responsible manner thanks to this period. This protects both consumers against excessive debt and financial institutions against irresponsible lending.
- Importance of credit history: A positive registration also remains visible. This way, banks and other parties can see that you have correctly fulfilled your payment obligations. That actually works to your advantage.
- Risk assessment for new applications: Even after repayment, a previous arrears remain relevant for banks. After all, they want to know whether you have had financial problems in the past, so that they can get a good idea of the risk of a new loan.
Yet, this long retention period regularly leads to discussion. Agencies such as the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens and interest groups advocate more customization; especially when someone has now got his or her affairs in order again. A temporary financial setback - due to illness or dismissal, for example - could otherwise have consequences for years, while the situation is now stable.
Have you been “punished” unjustly or for too long by a registration? Then there are options for removal or adjustment earlier. However, you do not always have to wait the full five years: under certain circumstances you can submit a request for removal or reduction.
Is it always fair that aBKR registration remains for so long?
Not everyone thinks the system is equally fair. Unexpected events such as illness, dismissal or divorce can cause someone to temporarily be unable to meet their financial obligations. Even if the arrears are cleared and all debts have been properly paid off, the negative registration will remain visible for another five years. This can seriously hinder future plans, for example when applying for a mortgage, taking out a car loan or obtaining a telephone subscription.
Are there plans to shorten the retention period?
There is indeed talk of shortening the retention period for negative BKR registrations. In The Hague a bill is on the table to reduce this term from five to three years. Although this plan has not yet been officially approved, it shows that politicians and organizations such as the Consumer's Association are committed to more flexible rules. The aim is to give people access to financial options more quickly, without them having to register for an unnecessarily long time.
Why does it keep BKR registrations for five years?
The BKR chooses to keep registrations for five years for several reasons. First of all, this period helps to prevent people from borrowing a lot of money irresponsibly and thus getting into financial problems. By providing insight into the payment history for a longer period, lenders can better assess whether a new credit is responsible.
In addition, a positiveBKR registration can demonstrate that you have consistently met your payment obligations. This works to your advantage as it shows that you are trustworthy for future loan applications.
On the other hand, the BKR wants negative registrations to enable lenders to get a full and fair picture of areas where things have gone wrong in the past. Even if arrears have been cleared, it is considered relevant that this information remains temporarily visible when making new credit decisions.
When can you get a mortgage despite BKR registration?
A BKR registration does not automatically mean that you cannot get a mortgage. Mortgage lenders also look at:
- the amount and age of the debt;
- your current financial stability;
- the nature of the registration (e.g. temporary backlog or structural problem);
- the reason for the backlog (such as temporary illness or dismissal).
In some cases, for example after completing a debt settlement or WSNP, you can demonstrate that you are financially stable and that the registration is no longer relevant.
When is deletion possible?
A registration may only continue to exist if this is necessary and proportionate. According to the GDPR, a lender must weigh your interests against those of the financial sector. This is called the proportionality test: aBKR registration may not go further than is necessary to serve the purpose for which it was placed. If you can demonstrate that the registration is no longer proportionate to the original purpose—for example because your financial situation is now demonstrably stable and you no longer pose a risk—removal may be possible.
You can request deletion if:
- you have paid off the debt in full;
- you have not had any new payment problems for a long time;
- the registration disproportionately hinders your life (e.g. no mortgage for a family home);
- the bank or institution has not carefully assessed the circumstances.
In short, if the registration is no longer proportionate, you can substantiate that it should be deleted. Always include supporting documents that underline your stable situation and the absence of risk.
How do you request removal of a BKR registration?
1. Check your registration
Request your current overview via bkr.nl and note who placed the registration and what the end date is.
2. Submit a reasoned request
Send a letter or email to the bank or lender concerned. Explain why the registration is no longer proportional and add supporting documents, such as pay slips, employer statements or a statement of financial stability.
3. Escalate if rejected
If your request is rejected, you can file a complaint with KiFiD or enforce removal through the courts. In many cases it is ruled that the registration must be deleted or shortened, especially if the consequences are disproportionate.
How does Arslan Advocaten help?
- We investigate whether your registration is correct;
- We submit a reasoned request for deletion or shortening;
- We litigate at KiFiD or the court if necessary;
- We recover costs from the responsible institution where possible, so that our assistance can be free of charge for you.
Our lawyers have extensive experience with financial law and privacy law and know exactly how you can increase your chance of a successful mortgage application.
Frequently asked questions about BKR registration and mortgage
Can I get a mortgage with a negative BKR registration?
Yes, sometimes. Especially if the arrears are old or small and you can prove that you are financially stable. Good motivation and legal substantiation are then important.
How long do I have to wait after a BKR registration?
In principle, five years after resolving the backlog. In special cases you can have this period shortened by submitting a request.
What if my request is rejected?
Then you can enforce removal via KiFiD or the court. This happens regularly, especially if the consequences are too severe for you.
Can I get legal help?
Yes. In many cases our help is free of charge, because we recover the costs from the lender.
Do you want to know whether you can get your mortgage faster despite a BKR registration?
Please feel free to contact Arslan Advocaten without obligation. We will help you delete or shorten your registration, so that you can move forward with your home plans.
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