VA Loan Entitlement Guide & Tools 2026

Basic Entitlement

$36,000 in VA guaranty available to every eligible borrower.

On its own, basic entitlement supports VA-guaranteed loans up to roughly $144,000 (25% of entitlement).

Bonus Entitlement

Additional guaranty above the $36,000 basic amount, tied to the county loan limit.

Bonus entitlement is what allows $0-down purchases above $144,000 in most counties.

Full Entitlement

You have never used a VA loan, or all prior entitlement has been fully restored.

With full entitlement, the VA generally does not cap your $0-down buying power at the standard county loan limit (832,750 in most counties for 2026). That said, your lender still underwrites the loan and may apply its own credit, income, reserve, or loan-amount overlays—full entitlement is not a guaranteed approval or an unlimited loan amount.

Partial Entitlement

Some of your entitlement is tied up in an existing VA loan or was used and never restored.

With partial entitlement, county loan limits matter for $0-down capacity: your maximum $0-down loan amount is generally tied to your remaining entitlement relative to the county limit (832,750 in most counties). A down payment can close the gap if you want to borrow above what your remaining entitlement supports.

Entitlement Restoration

Getting used entitlement back after paying off, selling, or refinancing out of a VA-financed home.

One-time restoration is available even if you still own the prior property in some cases; full restoration typically requires the VA loan to be paid in full.

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

The VA document that shows your entitlement amount and any entitlement codes.

Your lender uses the COE to confirm service eligibility and how much entitlement you have left to work with.

What is VA loan entitlement?

Entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees to your lender, which is what allows eligible borrowers to purchase with $0 down. It has two parts: basic entitlement ($36,000) and bonus entitlement, which scales with the county loan limit.

What's the difference between basic and bonus entitlement?

Basic entitlement is a flat $36,000 available to every eligible borrower. Bonus entitlement is the additional guaranty above that amount, tied to the county loan limit, and is what supports larger $0-down purchases.

Does full entitlement mean there is no loan limit at all?

With full entitlement, the VA generally does not impose the standard county loan limit as a cap on $0-down buying power. However, this is not an unlimited loan amount—your lender still underwrites the loan and may apply overlays on loan amount, credit, income, and reserves. The standard county limit for most areas in 2026 is 832,750, and it still matters for partial entitlement borrowers.

How does partial entitlement affect my county loan limit?

With partial entitlement, your $0-down buying power is generally tied to your remaining entitlement relative to the county loan limit. If you want to borrow more than your remaining entitlement supports at $0 down, a down payment can typically cover the gap.

How do I restore my VA entitlement?

Full restoration is typically available once a prior VA loan is paid in full (through payoff, sale, or refinance). A one-time restoration option may also be available in certain cases even if you still own the property. Your lender or the VA can confirm which applies to your situation.

Where do I find my entitlement amount?

Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows your entitlement amount and any entitlement codes. Use the COE guide to learn how to request one and what the codes mean.

Can I have two VA loans at the same time?

It is possible in some circumstances if you have enough remaining entitlement to support both loans, subject to lender approval and underwriting. This usually involves partial entitlement math specific to your remaining benefit.

Does a calculator estimate guarantee my loan amount?

No. Entitlement and loan-limit calculators on this hub are educational estimates only. They do not guarantee a loan amount, rate, or approval. Final numbers depend on your COE, credit, income, property, and lender underwriting.