Guide · Money
Financing a kitchen: what to check before you sign
The KÜINA team · Updated October 11, 2026
The short answer
Look at three numbers, not one: the APR, the term and the total repayable. The monthly payment on its own misleads, because stretching the term lowers it and makes the deal dearer. Twelve thousand euros at 9 % APR costs €14,400 over four years and €16,800 over eight: €2,400 for the same furniture.
The three numbers that matter
| Number | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| APR | The real annual cost, fees and charges included. The only figure that compares two offers |
| Term | How many months. The longer it is, the cheaper the payment and the dearer the deal |
| Total repayable | Payment times months. What you will actually pay |
The nominal rate is no use for comparing: it leaves out the fees. Two offers with the same nominal rate can have very different APRs.
What stretching the term costs
Same amount, same APR, different term:
| Term | Approx. payment | Total repayable | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 months | €380 | €13,700 | €1,700 |
| 48 months | €300 | €14,400 | €2,400 |
| 72 months | €215 | €15,500 | €3,500 |
| 96 months | €175 | €16,800 | €4,800 |
Going from 36 to 96 months more than halves the payment and nearly triples what you pay on top. If you can carry the 48-month payment, that is usually the sensible point.
The usual traps
- "Interest free" with an arrangement fee. If there is a fee, it is not interest free, and the APR will say so. Always ask for the APR, even when you are told it is zero.
- The payment holiday. Starting to pay in six months sounds good, but those months usually accrue interest anyway. Ask how much it adds to the total.
- Tied insurance. Payment protection can be reasonable, but it has to be optional and it has to be inside the APR.
- Financing the appliances over eight years too. An oven lasts ten. Finishing the payments the year it breaks is a bad trade.
Five questions before signing
- What is the APR, not the nominal rate?
- What is the total repayable, in euros?
- Is there an arrangement fee, an assessment fee or an early settlement fee?
- Can I pay it off early without a penalty?
- Is the insurance compulsory or optional, and how much does it add to the APR?
The fifth moves the most money and is the one least often asked.
Questions we get asked
Is it better to finance or to pay from savings?
If the money is sitting in an account earning nothing and the APR is higher than what it earns, paying outright wins. If the finance really is at 0 % APR and your money earns something, financing can make sense. That is the calculation, not a general rule. We are not financial advisers: if the sum matters, check it with yours.
Can I pay instalments early?
Almost always. Spanish law caps early-settlement fees on consumer credit, but one may exist. Ask beforehand and have it written into the contract.
Does financing a kitchen affect my mortgage?
A consumer loan shows on your credit record and counts towards affordability if you are applying for a mortgage. If you have one in progress, tell your bank before signing anything.
What happens if I cancel the order?
The credit is tied to the purchase: if the purchase is cancelled, the credit should be cancelled too. Make sure the contract says so, and keep copies of both documents.
Shall we look at it with your kitchen on screen?
An hour in the showroom, your kitchen on screen and the price fixed the same day. No commitment, and no follow-up calls unless you want them.
