No, VA loans don’t require a down payment for eligible veterans and active-duty service members, making them one of the few remaining 100% financing options available in the mortgage market. This is one of the core advantages of the VA loan benefit and a major reason it’s so widely used in military-heavy markets.
That said, 0% down doesn’t mean 0% cost. Buyers still need to cover closing costs, which typically run 2-5% of the purchase price, though VA loan rules limit which closing costs the buyer can be charged for, and sellers can contribute toward these costs as part of the negotiation. There’s also the VA funding fee, a one-time fee that helps sustain the loan program for future borrowers, which can be paid upfront or rolled into the loan amount.
While a down payment isn’t required, some buyers choose to put money down anyway to reduce their funding fee percentage or lower their monthly payment, particularly on higher-priced homes. It’s worth running the numbers both ways with a lender, since even a modest down payment can meaningfully reduce the funding fee rate for buyers using the benefit for the first time.
It’s also worth noting that some VA-eligible buyers are exempt from the funding fee entirely, most commonly veterans receiving VA disability compensation, which is confirmed through the VA’s eligibility determination process rather than something a lender can waive on their own. Given how much the VA loan benefit can vary based on individual circumstances, working with a lender experienced in VA loans, and reviewing your Certificate of Eligibility early, gives the clearest picture of what to expect for your specific situation.