A landlord receives an application with an income that looks perfectly sufficient — and still does not move forward. Often the reason is a number that is not always explained: the rent-to-income ratio (taxa de esforço). Understanding how it is calculated, what reference the market uses and how to lower it can be the difference between being accepted and being ignored.
This guide shows the formula, practical examples and the real ways to reduce your rent-to-income ratio before you apply.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Rent-to-income ratio = rent ÷ the household’s monthly net income × 100.
- The reference used by landlords, estate agents and banks is around 30–35% — it is a market convention, not a legal limit.
- You can lower it with a joint application, rent support, a lower rent, or by proving all of the household’s income.
- The extraordinary rent support uses a 35% rent-to-income threshold as an access criterion.
What the rent-to-income ratio is and how it is calculated
The rent-to-income ratio measures what slice of your income goes on rent. It is calculated by dividing the rent by the household’s monthly net income and multiplying by 100.
What is an “acceptable” rent-to-income ratio?
There is no legal limit — the market reference used by landlords, estate agents and banks to assess applications is around 30–35%. It is a convention, not a rule written into law, and each landlord can apply their own criterion. In Aluseg’s Tenant Passport, the rent-to-income ratio already appears calculated on the page the landlord sees, with no manual calculations.
Examples: maximum rent at a 33% ratio
| Monthly net income | Maximum rent at a 33% ratio |
|---|---|
| €1,000 | €330 |
| €1,500 | €495 |
| €2,000 | €660 |
| €2,500 | €825 |
| €3,000 | €990 |
These figures are only illustrative, calculated on the declared net income — your real situation depends on what you can prove.
How to lower your rent-to-income ratio
- Joint application — adding up the income of the whole household (couple, flatmates) lowers the calculated ratio.
- Rent support — where applicable, it reduces the effective rent you have to bear, which lowers the ratio (see rent support).
- Look for a lower rent — adjust your search budget to the ratio you can prove.
- Prove all of your income — including allowances and averages of recibos verdes (green receipts) (see how to prove income).
The extraordinary rent support and the 35% threshold
Without a guarantor, the rent-to-income ratio matters even more
When there is no guarantor, a low, well-proven rent-to-income ratio is often what convinces a landlord to go ahead. See the alternatives in the guide on renting a house without a guarantor.
Frequently asked questions
How is the rent-to-income ratio calculated for a rental?
Divide the rent by the household’s monthly net income and multiply by 100. Example: a rent of €650 divided by an income of €2,000, multiplied by 100, gives 32.5%.
What is the maximum rent-to-income ratio landlords accept?
There is no legal limit — the reference used in the market by landlords, estate agents and banks is around 30–35%, but each landlord decides their own criterion.
Does a joint application help lower the rent-to-income ratio?
Yes — adding up the income of the whole household, for example a couple or flatmates, lowers the ratio calculated on the rent.
Do rent support schemes count towards lowering the ratio?
Yes, where applicable, support reduces the effective rent to be borne, which lowers the calculated ratio.
What is the 35% threshold in the extraordinary rent support?
It is the rent-to-income criterion used to access the extraordinary rent support — when the rent weighs more than 35% of the household’s income, it is worth checking whether you are entitled to the support.
Note: informational article — this is not legal advice. The examples and figures are illustrative — always check your specific situation with a professional.
