Is borrowing money without BKR testing even possible in the Netherlands?
The short answer is: officially not with Dutch lenders. They are required by law to perform a BKR test. However, there are some alternative options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Mini-loans or flash loans
Some foreign providers of flash loans try to circumvent Dutch law. They offer small loans of a few hundred euros with short terms. These loans are not officially registered with the BKR, but come with significant disadvantages:
- Interest rates can be as high as 14% or even higher, which is many times higher than regular loans. In addition, they often charge hidden fees, making the total amount you have to repay much higher than you expected. The repayment period is usually very short, leaving you to repay the full amount plus interest within a few weeks.
- The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) strongly warns against this form of lending. Since a court ruling in February 2025, foreign lenders can charge even higher fees than the Dutch maximum credit fee of 14%, further increasing the risks for consumers.
Private loans
A loan from family or friends can be an option if you want to borrow money quickly without BKR and paperwork. No formal credit check takes place here. However, it is wise to put mutual agreements on paper to avoid later misunderstandings.
Post-payment and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services
Post-payment or spread payment services are becoming increasingly popular. These do not currently fall under regular BKR supervision, although this will change as of 2026 when these services will come under AFM supervision. Keep in mind that if payments are overdue, a negative BKR registration may still follow.
Crowdfunding
With crowdfunding, you borrow money from multiple individuals. Some crowdfunding platforms do not perform a BKR test, but do ask for other financial information. This option is mainly suitable for project financing, not personal loans.