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What if you were eligible for a government-backed home loan before marriage but became ineligible after registering your marriage?

Until now, some policy mortgage programs have assessed newlywed couples based on their combined annual income. As a result, couples could lose eligibility even when one spouse had a relatively low income. This has often been described as a “marriage penalty.”

Starting in October, the income requirements are expected to be relaxed. Even if a couple’s combined income exceeds the current limit, they may still qualify when one spouse earns below the specified threshold.

However, the revised rule may benefit single-income couples or couples with a large income gap more than dual-income couples earning similar amounts. This article explains the new requirements, compares different household examples, and highlights other important loan conditions.

The Bogeumjari Loan is a long-term, fixed-rate mortgage provided by the Korea Housing Finance Corporation. It is widely used by first-time homebuyers and newlywed couples because of its relatively stable interest rate.

Under the previous rules, a married couple’s combined annual income was used to determine eligibility. Newlywed couples generally had to earn no more than 85 million won per year combined.

For example, a person earning 60 million won could meet the income requirement before marriage. After marrying someone earning 30 million won, however, their combined income would become 90 million won, exceeding the newlywed income limit.

This situation is often called a “marriage penalty” because registering a marriage could cause a couple to lose access to a policy loan that had been available to them individually.

Starting in October 2026, the government plans to introduce an additional income test for newlywed couples applying for policy loans.

Under the current Bogeumjari Loan rules, a newlywed couple generally needs a combined annual income of 85 million won or less. Under the revised rules, a couple may also apply when either spouse earns 70 million won or less per year, even if their combined income exceeds the existing limit.

Similar individual-income criteria are expected to apply to the Didimdol Loan and the Beotimmok Loan. However, meeting the income requirement does not guarantee approval. Applicants must also satisfy each program’s housing-price, asset, homeownership, and lending requirements.

Under the revised Bogeumjari Loan rule, a couple may apply when at least one spouse earns 70 million won or less per year.

Couple A earns a combined 210 million won, but one spouse earns 60 million won. They meet the new individual-income requirement.

Couple B earns 150 million won combined, with each spouse earning 75 million won. Although their combined income is lower than Couple A’s, neither spouse meets the 70-million-won threshold.

Couple C earns 120 million won combined, and each spouse earns 60 million won. They also meet the new requirement.

These examples reflect only the income requirement. Final approval and the loan amount depend on the property value, existing debt, collateral value, and other lending rules.

The revised rule may affect couples differently depending on how their income is distributed.

A single-income couple may qualify because the spouse with little or no income meets the individual-income threshold. A dual-income couple with a large income gap may also qualify when the lower-earning spouse earns 70 million won or less.

In contrast, a couple earning 75 million won each may fail to qualify because both spouses exceed the individual threshold, even if their combined income is lower than that of another eligible couple.

These examples are for explanation only. Actual eligibility will depend on the final implementation guidelines and each applicant’s other loan conditions.

The revised rule is designed to reduce the disadvantages couples may face after registering their marriage. However, it may create a new fairness issue.

A couple with a high combined income may qualify when one spouse earns 70 million won or less. Meanwhile, a couple with a lower combined income may be excluded when both spouses earn slightly more than the individual threshold.

As a result, single-income couples and couples with a large income gap may benefit more than couples earning similar amounts.

The reform expands access for some newlyweds, but it does not remove every income-related imbalance. Future adjustments may be needed after the government reviews how the new rule works in practice.

Meeting the revised income requirement does not guarantee approval for a Bogeumjari Loan.

The eligible property must generally be valued at 600 million won or less. The current general loan limit is up to 360 million won, with an LTV of up to 70% and a DTI of up to 60%.

The actual loan amount depends on the property value, location, housing type, existing debt, collateral value, and the applicant’s credit status.

Applicants should check the final implementation guidelines before the revised income rule takes effect in October 2026.

Before applying, check the effective date of the revised rule and calculate each spouse’s annual income separately.

You should also confirm your newlywed status, property value, homeownership status, existing debts, expected loan amount, and available cash.

Do not assume that meeting the income requirement guarantees the full loan amount. The final amount may be reduced based on the property value, LTV, DTI, existing debt, and credit assessment.

Before signing a purchase agreement, estimate the loan amount and monthly repayment. If the purchase depends on policy-loan approval, carefully discuss a specific loan-related clause with the seller.

Starting in October 2026, newlywed couples are expected to have an additional way to meet the Bogeumjari Loan income requirement.

A couple may apply when either spouse earns 70 million won or less per year, even if their combined income exceeds the existing newlywed limit.

The reform may particularly benefit single-income couples and couples with a large income gap. However, couples earning similar amounts may still be excluded, raising new fairness concerns.

Meeting the income requirement does not guarantee approval. Applicants must also check the property-price limit, homeownership status, existing debt, LTV, DTI, and actual loan amount before signing a purchase agreement.