The effort rate is one of the indicators used by banks to assess if a customer has the capacity to take a housing loan. Since August 2026, the applicable benchmark for the majority of new operations now considers 45% as the reference limit for the ratio between credit installments and net income.

But beware: this does not mean that a person with a 45% effort rate automatically has the right to a certain credit amount.

The effort rate compares the total monthly loan installments with the monthly net income.

The 45% reference means that, in general, the total installments should not exceed 45% of the net income. The calculation includes the new housing loan installment and other credit installments.

That's why the amount you can request depends on your income, existing credits, term, interest rate, and other criteria used by the bank.

How to calculate the effort rate?

The formula is simple:

Effort rate = total of monthly loan installments ÷ monthly net income × 100

Imagine a monthly net income of 2,500 euros.

If all credit installments total 1,000 euros:

1.000 ÷ 2.500 × 100 = 40%

In this scenario, the effort rate would be 40%.

If payments rose to 1,125 euros:

1.125 ÷ 2.500 × 100 = 45%

This type of calculation helps understand the impact of a new loan on the budget.

Do other credits count?

Yes. This is one of the most important questions.

If you already pay a car loan of 250 euros and a personal loan of 150 euros, these costs are considered.

Imagine again a net income of 2,500 euros.

Car loan: 250 euros.

Personal loan: 150 euros.

Current total: 400 euros.

If you want to contract a housing loan with a payment of 700 euros, the total would be 1.100 euros.

The effort rate would be:

1.100 ÷ 2.500 × 100 = 44%

That is, the new payment should not be analyzed separately.

How much can you ask to buy a house?

There is no single value that corresponds to a 45% effort rate.

Two people with the same income can have different financing capacities.

Imagine two customers with a net income of 3,000 euros.

The first has no other credits.

The second pays 600 euros per month in credits.

Even if they have the same return, the second customer will have less margin to take on a new payment.

In addition, the loan term also affects the amount that can be financed. A longer term may reduce the monthly payment, although it may increase the total interest paid.

A 45% effort rate means the bank will approve the credit?

No. The 45% is a reference for the ratio between loan installments and net income. Approval still depends on the solvency assessment done by the institution.

The bank may analyze, among other factors, income, professional situation, expenses, existing credits, and the ability to meet obligations throughout the contract.

What if the effort rate is above 45%?

A high effort rate can hinder approval or reduce the amount the bank is willing to finance.

However, there are situations within applicable rules where exceptions to the established references may exist.

Therefore, you should not assume that a simulation with a certain effort rate automatically corresponds to an approval or rejection.

The credit term also counts

The client's age affects the maximum reference period. Currently, housing loans and other secured loans must not exceed 40 years for clients up to 35 years old and 35 years for clients over 35 years old.

A longer term can reduce the monthly payment and consequently ease financial alignment. But there is a trade-off: the longer the term, the higher the total interest paid over the contract.

How to reduce the effort rate?

If the effort rate is too high, some options can help:

Reduce or settle other debts.
Increase the initial payment.
Choose a lower-value property.
Consider a different term.
Review monthly costs before proceeding.
Compare offers from different institutions.

The goal should not be just to get approval. It is important to find a payment that is sustainable in the long term.

Do a simulation

Want to know how much you can borrow to buy a house considering your income and existing credits?

How is the effort rate calculated?

Divide the total of monthly loan installments by the monthly net income and multiply by 100.

Do credit cards enter the analysis?

Credit responsibilities, including certain potential liabilities, may be considered in the assessment.

A 45% effort rate ensures approval?

No. The institution makes a global solvency assessment.

Can I have an effort rate below 45% and the credit be rejected?

Yes. The effort rate is just one of the elements considered in the analysis.

Does a longer term increase the amount I can ask for?