Good financial agreements are important: you can arrange them in a few steps
Don’t record anything? Then you have no obligations, but also no rights
Want to record agreements? You can do so with a cohabitation agreement, registered partnership or marriage
Are you moving in together? Then you’re probably first looking at where you’ll live. Will you rent or buy? Both options have pros and cons.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Renting is often quicker to arrange","richBody":{"value":"Renting is often quicker to arrange, and you’re not responsible for major maintenance. You might also be entitled to housing allowance, and you have tenant protection. The downside is that you don’t build up equity in your home.
TIP: If you move in with your partner who rents, it may be wise to register as a co‑tenant. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to stay if your partner passes away.
"}},{"title":"Een huis kopen betekent vaak vermogen opbouwen","richBody":{"value":"
If you decide to buy a house together, you’re typically also building up equity together. You’re also responsible for all maintenance. You can buy a home together without having an official relationship status: you don’t need to be married or in a registered partnership. A cohabitation agreement isn’t strictly necessary either, but it’s advisable to formally record some arrangements to avoid discussions if you separate.
"}},{"title":"Are you moving in with your partner who owns a home? Then there are additional things to pay attention to.","richBody":{"value":"Are you moving into your partner’s owned home? Then there are several options. You could pay rent, but then you won’t share in the equity growth. You could also buy into half of the property, making the home joint property—this comes with costs like notary fees and transfer tax.
Not buying in and not contributing to the mortgage? You can still incur costs for the home, such as paying for renovations or a new kitchen. By including a value‑increase clause in a cohabitation agreement, you can agree that the partner who contributed to the home’s increased value is entitled to part of that increase, even without contributing to the mortgage payments
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Step 2 – List your income and expenses"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You probably know how much you spend on groceries or fun things on your own. But what about together? Determine which expenses you’ll share and how much these will cost. This helps you know how much money to set aside and gives you better control over your joint finances.
Tip: With Insight in the ING Mobile Banking app, you can view your income and expenses at a glance.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/c1750f60-cec4-42f6-aa68-bb20d34c6f28/Wallet-coins-debit-card-money","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/63bb6da999d05e41/original/Wallet-coins-debit-card-money.svg","extension":"svg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Step 3 – Avoid duplicate subscriptions and insurance"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Use this moment to map out all your subscriptions and insurance policies and compare them.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Decide what you can also arrange together","richBody":{"value":"Think of internet, streaming services, home contents insurance, and your internet and TV packages. Insurance deserves special attention: some must be arranged jointly. A thorough check prevents double costs and saves money right away. Also check allowances such as housing and healthcare allowances—verify whether you’re still entitled to them together.
"}},{"title":"Tip: Look ahead tool","richBody":{"value":"Want to cancel duplicate subscriptions on time? With Look ahead in the ING Mobile Banking app, you can see upcoming recurring payments. Handy for spotting subscriptions in time to cancel them.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Step 4 – Agree on how to divide costs"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You could agree to each pay half. Or divide everything based on income, also known as “proportional contribution.” If you earn more than your partner, you contribute more. Another option is the pocket‑money method: both incomes go into the joint account, and each person receives personal spending money in their own account.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"50/50","richBody":{"value":"Equal split means each pays 50%. This works well if you earn about the same, but it can also work with different incomes—where the higher earner could save extra on the joint savings account.
"}},{"title":"Dividing the costs proportionally","richBody":{"value":"You can also divide costs proportionally. Look at net monthly income and decide whether holiday allowance is included monthly or not. The higher earner pays more.
"}},{"title":"The pocket money method","richBody":{"value":"Another method: both keep the same amount of personal money. Combine both incomes, subtract joint costs, and split what remains.
"}},{"title":"A couple of tips","richBody":{"value":"Choose the division that feels right for you. You can always change it later. Maybe now 50/50 works, but in ten years proportional division might be better. Or maybe you use 50/50 for groceries but proportional distribution for large expenses. That’s why it’s important to revisit the conversation regularly.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Step 5 – Open a joint account"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Made your plans? Time for execution. A joint account is very convenient. With a joint (and/or) account, the account is in both your names and you can both pay and save (if you also open a joint savings account).
Tip: Switching to ING? It’s quick and easy with the free switching service.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Step 6 – Choose the living arrangement that suits you"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Living together without legally defined rights and obligations is possible—nothing is automatically arranged. But this has legal and financial consequences. Prefer to record your agreements officially? If you’re not ready to marry, a cohabitation agreement or registered partnership are your main options.
Your surroundings may see you as a couple, but legally you’re still two individuals. You may want to keep it that way—but it has consequences:
A cohabitation agreement lets you choose which agreements to formalize. You make it official through a notary. Costs vary, so it’s useful to request several quotes.
A cohabitation agreement is often chosen by couples who want to arrange things clearly without something too formal. It records only the agreements you choose—there are no fixed rules. For example: how you divide fixed expenses, and which financial obligations are not shared (such as a student loan). If you buy a home together, a value‑increase clause may also be relevant.
No will and no children? Then include a survivorship clause, giving the surviving partner ownership of all joint assets.
Important: If you have a baby, the father doesn’t automatically get the same rights as the mother. With a cohabitation agreement, the father must officially acknowledge the child and apply for parental authority at the court. A cohabitation agreement also doesn’t make you automatic heirs—this must be arranged in a will.
"}},{"title":"Registered partnership: one step further","richBody":{"value":"Prefer to arrange more in one go without marrying? Then a registered partnership is a good option. It’s similar to marriage in terms of rights and obligations. You automatically become each other’s heirs, even without a will, and are fiscal partners. Parental authority over children is equal for both partners. Separation (if you have no children) is easier than with marriage.
"}},{"title":"Marriage: prenuptial agreements or community of property","richBody":{"value":"If you do marry, you can choose to marry with prenuptial agreements or in community of property. The difference: with prenuptial agreements you determine your own rules; with community of property you follow legal rules.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also helpful when living together"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Save together for a goal","richBody":{"value":"A long trip, a car, or expanding your family? Decide together how you’ll save and how much each contributes. In the ING app you can create up to ten savings goals to track progress easily.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Tip: Automanic savings helps with achieving your savingsgoals easier.","richBody":{"value":"With automatic transfers you can set how much goes to savings and on which day.
"}}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Growing old together?","richBody":{"value":"Don’t forget pension!
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Hoe werkt het met een pensioenregeling?","richBody":{"value":"Marriage or registered partnership makes you automatic partners in pension schemes, meaning you’re entitled to a survivor’s pension. If you’re cohabiting, you can often register each other as partners, but conditions apply—often including a cohabitation agreement. Always check the conditions with your pension provider.
Speak with a financial adviser or notary to determine what suits you best.
"}}]},{"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"More for you"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"medium","title":"Why ING for you as a couple?","intro":"Easy shared payments, smart digital tools for insight and control, and personal support.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/84f6a894-3b40-4619-9827-702dc7012a8d/Close-up-of-smiley-face-on-paper","type":"image","width":5520,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6325cc4170d8ab8d/original/Close-up-of-smiley-face-on-paper.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/why-ing/for-the-two-of-you"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"medium","title":"Joint account","intro":"One account for your shared finances, with two payment cards and mobile payments","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/42270d7a-7cde-44c9-a4a3-72d4f3804558/Young-people-behind-a-laptop-having-fun-1","type":"image","width":5700,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/706dddf4f4b68acc/original/Young-people-behind-a-laptop-having-fun-1.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/payments/bank-accounts/open-a-joint-account"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"medium","title":"Choose the living arrangement that suits you","intro":"Cohabitation agreement or registered partnership? Read more about the differences.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/b301d473-1fcb-4a9e-b066-b181204bc207/young-man-playfully-biting","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5f65ae1bfde5cfe/original/young-man-playfully-biting.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/samen-bankieren/samenlevingscontract-of-geregistreerd-partnerschap"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"medium","title":"Fiscal partnership","intro":"What does it mean for you? Read more here.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/39b85828-b7e1-4beb-9a59-d6543492b6ec/Youth_Assistance","type":"image","width":814,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/100b2d89acc8e67a/original/Youth_Assistance.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/particulier/samen-bankieren/fiscaal-partnerschap"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"medium","title":"Insight Conversation","intro":"Prefer to discuss with a financial coach which agreements you can make and how to arrange everything properly? Plan an Insight Conversation.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/0724435c-0893-4e31-a5a8-0d30e998b4b3/Flatmates-in-the-kitchen-chatting-as-they-make-coffee","type":"image","width":5700,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7dc4a60630fca249/original/Flatmates-in-the-kitchen-chatting-as-they-make-coffee.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/personal/financial-health/inzicht-gesprek-landingspagina-open-financieel-gezond"}}]}]}}}