Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending in the Netherlands – Top 5 Platforms 2023

If you are a Dutch investor interested in engaging in P2P lending, then check out this overview to discover the top platforms for P2P lending in the Netherlands.

Best local platforms for peer-to-peer lending in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, there are many peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms that cater to various industries such as real estate, sustainability, logistics, green energy, mortgages, and maritime. Below are some of the notable P2P lending platforms in the country:

Max Crowdfund
Lendahand
Thuisborg
NewFunding
NLInvesteert
Benkey
Lender & Spender
Bouwaandeel
BridgeFund NL
Geldvoorelkaar

The first Dutch P2P lending platform was Booper which was founded in 2007. The platform went bankrupt in 2009.

The history of peer-to-peer lending in the Netherlands

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending started in the Netherlands in 2007 with the launch of Booper. In the years after, many more platforms were launched with the aim to connect individual borrowers and investors directly, bypassing traditional banks. This new form of lending emerged as an alternative to traditional bank loans, offering individuals and small businesses the opportunity to access financing without the involvement of banks.

The first P2P lending platform in the Netherlands was Booper, which began operations in 2007. However, it faced regulatory challenges and eventually went bankrupt in 2009. The early days of P2P lending in the Netherlands were marked by skepticism and regulatory hurdles, as the Dutch financial authorities sought to ensure consumer protection and financial stability.

In the years following Booper’s demise, new platforms like Geldvoorelkaar and Lendahand emerged, paving the way for the growth of P2P lending in the Netherlands. These platforms focused on providing loans to small businesses and individuals, while also offering attractive returns to investors.

Over time, P2P lending in the Netherlands has evolved to include various types of loans such as consumer loans, business loans, real estate loans, and even green energy loans. The market has also seen the emergence of platforms that specialize in specific niches, like Lendahand (focused on developing countries) and DuurzaamInvesteren (focused on green energy projects).

Today, P2P lending in the Netherlands is a growing industry, with over 50 platforms operating in the country. The sector has gained popularity among borrowers and investors alike, driven by the promise of more accessible financing and higher returns compared to traditional bank deposits. P2P lending still represents a small fraction of the overall lending market in the Netherlands, with room for further growth and development in the coming years.

Comparison with other countries

When compared to other markets, the P2P lending industry in the Netherlands is still relatively small. The UK, for example, has a much larger and more mature P2P lending market, with platforms such as Zopa, Funding Circle, and RateSetter facilitating billions of pounds in loans. However, the Dutch P2P lending market has experienced consistent growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding.

In comparison to neighboring countries such as Belgium and Germany, the Netherlands’ P2P lending market is quite developed. While the overall size of the P2P lending market in the Netherlands is modest, the growth in this sector demonstrates an increasing appetite for alternative forms of financing among Dutch borrowers and investors.

European P2P lending platforms for investors in the Netherlands

To find the best P2P lending platform in the Netherlands, investors should consider both low fees and high returns. Several popular options include:

Lendermarket: This platform offers a variety of P2P lending options with low fees and high returns. It is a straightforward platform that is popular among Dutch investors.
Esketit: Focused on short-term loans, Esketit is a popular choice for investors in the Netherlands. It offers high-potential projects with attractive returns.
Reinvest24: This crowdfunding platform provides access to equity investments in real estate projects abroad in Europe.
AxiaFunder: This platform specializes in litigation crowdfunding and is ideal for Dutch investors looking for a unique opportunity to invest in lawsuits.
PeerBerry: PeerBerry offers a range of P2P lending options, including personal, business, and real estate loans. It also provides investors with a buyback guarantee.

Investors should carefully research each platform to determine which one is best for their investment goals. These platforms offer affordable loans and the potential for high returns.

FAQ about P2P lending for Dutch investors:

In the Netherlands, using foreign platforms for P2P lending has its benefits. It gives lenders access to a wider range of investment opportunities and a larger pool of potential borrowers. Foreign platforms may also offer more competitive rates and terms compared to domestic lenders. By using European P2P lending platforms, investors can tap into a more diverse and international investor base. This can help increase the liquidity of investments and reduce the risk associated with certain investments.

One of the significant benefits of utilizing a P2P lending platform that operates locally in the Netherlands is the enhanced accessibility it provides to borrowers and lenders in the country. Supporting your local community becomes much more comfortable with such a platform. Moreover, local platforms can offer more personalized services to Dutch borrowers who are well-versed in local regulations, taxes, and markets. Another advantage of using a local platform is that it can potentially reduce the expenses associated with currency conversions when transferring funds from foreign lenders. However, this benefit depends on the currency in which you wish to invest.