For Veterans with full entitlement, there are no VA loan limits for $0 down in 2026. However, if you have partial entitlement—due to an active VA loan or a previous foreclosure—you are subject to the 2026 standard baseline limit of $832,750 in most U.S. counties.

The landscape of VA home loans changed forever a few years back, yet every January, the same questions echo through VFW halls and base housing: “What is the max I can borrow this year?” and “Did the limits go up?”

At veteransloans.com, we know that navigating federal guidelines can feel like reading a manual for a piece of equipment that hasn’t been serviced since the 80s. But here is the good news: for the vast majority of Veterans and active-duty service members, the “limit” is a ghost of the past. As we move through 2026, your buying power is more robust than ever, provided you understand how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) play together.

2025 vs. 2026 VA Loan Limits: The Shift

Each year, the FHFA adjusts conforming loan limits (CLL) based on the average U.S. home price. While the VA technically removed “limits” for those with full entitlement in 2020, these FHFA numbers still dictate the “baseline” for those with remaining (partial) entitlement.

Note: If you have full entitlement, these numbers are essentially irrelevant to your $0 down capability—you can borrow as much as a lender will approve based on your income and credit.

5 Facts About 2026 VA Loan Limits

Before we dive into the weeds of “Secondary Entitlement” and “Lender Overlays,” let’s clear up the core essentials:

1. Full Entitlement Means “No Cap”: If you’ve never used your VA loan benefit, or you’ve paid off your previous VA loan and restored your entitlement, the VA does not limit how much you can borrow with $0 down. If you can afford a $2 million home and a lender approves the mortgage, you can move in with $0 down.
2. The $832,750 Baseline is for “Partial” Users: This number only kicks in if you currently have a VA loan and want to buy a second home using your remaining benefit, or if you’ve defaulted on a VA loan in the past.
3. Blue Water Navy Act is the Game Changer: Signed into law in 2019, this act effectively abolished loan limits for Veterans with full entitlement starting in 2020. It also helped fund these changes through slight adjustments to the VA Funding Fee.
4. County Lines Still Matter (Sometimes): In “High-Cost” counties (think San Francisco, DC, or New York), the baseline limit for partial entitlement is much higher—up to $1,249,125 in 2026.
5. Your Lender is the Real Gatekeeper: Just because the VA says they will guarantee a $1.5 million loan doesn’t mean every bank will write it. Lenders use “overlays”—their own internal rules on credit scores and income—to decide your actual max.

How We Got Here (Blue Water Navy Act)

To understand why “limits” are a confusing topic, we have to look back at the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. Before this law took effect on January 1, 2020, every Veteran was tied to the conforming loan limits. If you wanted a home that cost $1 more than the county limit, you had to bring 25% of that “excess” amount as a down payment.

The Act didn’t just expand health benefits for Veterans exposed to Agent Orange; it recognized that in many parts of the country, the “limit” was actually preventing Veterans from using their earned benefits in the very markets where they lived. By removing the cap for those with Full Entitlement, the government essentially said: “Your service isn’t capped, so why should your housing benefit be?”

Full vs. Partial Entitlement: Which are You?

• Full Entitlement: You have never used a VA loan, OR you have used one but sold the home and fully repaid the loan (and restored your entitlement).
• Partial Entitlement: You currently have an active VA loan on a home you still own, OR you had a foreclosure or short sale on a previous VA loan and the VA wasn’t fully “made whole.”

If you fall into the Partial Entitlement category, 2026 is actually a great year. Because the baseline limit rose to $832,750, your “bonus” or “secondary” entitlement is larger, meaning you can likely buy a more expensive second home with $0 down than you could last year.

Calculating Your 2026 “Zero-Down” Capacity

If you already have a VA loan and you’re looking to buy a second home (perhaps due to a PCS or a growing family) without selling the first one, you need to know your “Remaining Entitlement.”

The math can be a bit of a headache, but here is the standard formula used in 2026:

{Zero-Down Capacity = {County Limit} x 0.25 – {Entitlement Used} x 4

Let’s break that down with a real-world example:

Imagine you bought a home three years ago with a VA loan for $300,000. You used $75,000 of entitlement ($300k x 0.25). Now, in 2026, you’re moving to a new county where the limit is the standard $832,750.

1. Max Guaranty: $832,750 x 0.25 = $208,187.50
2. Subtract Used Entitlement: $208,187.50 – $75,000 = $133,187.50 (This is your remaining entitlement)
3. Multiply by 4: $133,187.50 x 4 = $532,750

In this scenario, you could buy a second home for up to $532,750 with $0 down, all while keeping your first home as a rental. If the new home costs more than that, you would simply pay 25% of the difference as a down payment.

High-Cost Counties: The 2026 “Ceilings”

Not all dirt is priced the same. If you’re looking at property in Hawaii, Southern California, or the D.C. Metro area, the standard $832,750 baseline is just the starting point. The FHFA designates certain areas as “High-Cost,” where the median home price is significantly higher.

In 2026, the ceiling for these areas has jumped to $1,249,125. For a Veteran with partial entitlement, this is a massive win. It allows for much higher “Zero-Down Capacity” in markets where even a starter home might push seven figures.

Why These Limits Matter Even Without a “Cap”

Even for Veterans with full entitlement, these limits are used by many lenders as a psychological or risk-management threshold. While the VA will guarantee 25% of a $2 million loan, a lender might view anything over the “Conforming Loan Limit” as a “Jumbo VA Loan.”

Jumbo VA Loans in 2026 often come with slightly different requirements:

• Higher Credit Scores: While a standard VA loan might allow for a 580 or 620 FICO, a Jumbo VA loan might require a 680 or 700.
• Cash Reserves: Lenders may want to see “reserves” (usually 2-6 months of mortgage payments in the bank) to prove you can handle the larger nut.
• Stricter DTI: Your Debt-to-Income ratio might be scrutinized more closely.

Lender Overlays: The “Rules Behind the Rules”

Here is a bit of “inside baseball”: The VA creates the guidelines, but private lenders (like veteransloans.com) provide the money.

The VA is incredibly flexible. They don’t have a minimum credit score. They don’t have a hard “max” on DTI (Debt-to-Income). They focus on Residual Income—the amount of money you have left over at the end of the month to buy gas and groceries.

However, lenders often add their own rules, called overlays. A lender might say, “The VA allows a 580 score, but our bank only goes down to 620.”

Why Overlays Exist

Lenders sell many of these loans on the secondary market. To make those loans attractive to investors, they often stick to “safer” profiles. This is why it is vital to work with a VA-specialist lender like veteransloans.com. We understand the nuances of the 2026 guidelines and work to ensure your military service is the primary factor in your approval, not just a box on a spreadsheet.

Getting Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

The most important document in your home-buying journey isn’t your tax return; it’s your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This piece of paper tells the lender exactly how much entitlement you have available.

In 2026, you can obtain your COE in a few ways:

1. Online via eBenefits: If you have an account, you can often download it in minutes.
2. By Mail: Using VA Form 26-1880 (the “slow” way).
3. Through Your Lender: This is the “pro move.” Lenders like veteransloans.com have access to a portal that can pull your COE instantly in most cases.

Your COE will also indicate if you are exempt from the VA Funding Fee. Veterans receiving disability compensation for a service-connected condition (usually 10% or higher) or Purple Heart recipients on active duty typically do not have to pay this fee, which can save you thousands of dollars at closing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the VA loan limit in my county for 2026?

For 95% of the United States, the baseline limit is $832,750. However, if you have Full Entitlement, there is no limit. If you have partial entitlement, you can check the FHFA website or call us at 1 (888) 232-1428 to find the specific limit for your target county.

Can I borrow $1 million with a VA loan in 2026?

Yes. If you have full entitlement, you can borrow $1 million (or more) with $0 down, provided you meet the lender’s income and credit requirements. If you have partial entitlement, you can still borrow $1 million, but you may be required to make a down payment if your remaining entitlement doesn’t cover 25% of the loan.

Do I need a down payment for a “Jumbo” VA loan?

If you have full entitlement, no. The term “Jumbo” is a lender term, not a VA term. For the VA, a $1.5 million loan is handled the same way as a $200,000 loan. If you have partial entitlement, a down payment is likely if the loan amount exceeds your calculated zero-down capacity.

Can I have two VA loans at the same time?

Yes. This is a common strategy for military families who choose to keep their first home as a rental property when they PCS to a new duty station. You use your “remaining entitlement” to purchase the second home with little to no money down.

Does the VA loan limit apply to the 2026 Funding Fee?

The Funding Fee is calculated as a percentage of the total loan amount, not the “limit.” In 2026, the first-time use fee with $0 down is generally 2.15%, while subsequent use is 3.3%. Putting at least 5% down can reduce these fees.

Taking the Next Step in 2026

The 2026 VA loan landscape is designed to empower you. Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking at a modest starter home or a seasoned homeowner eyeing a “forever home” in a high-cost market, your benefit is more flexible than it has ever been.

Don’t let the jargon of “entitlement” and “conforming limits” slow you down. At veteransloans.com, we’ve spent years helping Veterans maximize their buying power. We speak the language of the VA so you don’t have to.

Expert Tip: If you’re planning to buy in 2026, get your COE early. Knowing your entitlement status today prevents “surprises” at the closing table tomorrow.

Ready to see how much you qualify for?

Start your journey today by visiting us online to prequalify at veteransloans.com.

If you prefer to speak with a human who actually understands your service, give us a call at 1 (888) 232-1428. We’re ready to help you plant your flag in a new front yard.