Buying, selling, leasing and developing property, including advice for non-EU citizens and foreign investors.
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Most European countries allow foreigners to purchase property, though some have restrictions for non-EU nationals. A real estate lawyer can advise on your specific situation.
Title searches, planning permission checks, mortgage encumbrance searches, and review of the sale contract. Always use an independent lawyer, not the seller's lawyer.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Germany's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsBuying property in Germany costs 9–12% above the purchase price in taxes and fees. Grunderwerbsteuer varies from 3.5% (Bavaria, Saxony) to 6.5% (NRW, Saarland, Brandenburg). A Notar is legally required (BGB § 311b). No exchange-of-contracts stage exists — the signed and notarised Kaufvertrag is binding.
| Bundesland | Rate | Tax on €400k | Tax on €800k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bavaria (Bayern) | 3.5% | €14,000 | €28,000 |
| Saxony (Sachsen) | 3.5% | €14,000 | €28,000 |
| Hamburg | 4.5% | €18,000 | €36,000 |
| Hesse (Hessen) | 6.0% | €24,000 | €48,000 |
| Baden-Württemberg | 5.0% | €20,000 | €40,000 |
| Berlin | 6.0% | €24,000 | €48,000 |
| NRW (Nordrhein-Westfalen) | 6.5% | €26,000 | €52,000 |
| Brandenburg | 6.5% | €26,000 | €52,000 |
| Saarland | 6.5% | €26,000 | €52,000 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 6.5% | €26,000 | €52,000 |
| Thuringia (Thüringen) | 6.5% | €26,000 | €52,000 |
| Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) | 5.0% | €20,000 | €40,000 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 5.0% | €20,000 | €40,000 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 5.0% | €20,000 | €40,000 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 6.0% | €24,000 | €48,000 |
| Bremen | 5.0% | €20,000 | €40,000 |
| Cost Item | Legal Basis | Amount | % of Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grunderwerbsteuer | GrEStG § 11 | €31,200 | 6.0% |
| Notargebühren (Notar fees) | GNotKG Anlage 1 | €4,368 | 0.84% |
| Grundbuchgebühr (Land register) | GNotKG § 3 | €1,456 | 0.28% |
| Estate agent (Maklergebühr) | § 656c BGB (split equally) | €9,282 | 1.79% (buyer share) |
| Rechtsanwalt (optional review) | RVG or hourly | €1,500–3,000 | 0.3–0.6% |
| TOTAL TRANSACTION COSTS | ~€48,000 | ~9.2% |
Note: Maklergebühr since Dec 2020 (§ 656c BGB) must be split equally between buyer and seller for residential property. Total commission typically 5.95–7.14% incl. VAT — buyer pays max 3.57% of purchase price.
Facts: Sarah, a UK national employed in Munich, purchases a 78m² apartment in Schwabing-West for €720,000 (October 2024). Bavaria has 3.5% Grunderwerbsteuer.
| Grunderwerbsteuer (3.5%) | €25,200 |
| Notar (Kaufvertrag + Grundbuch) | €5,740 |
| Maklergebühr (buyer share, 3.57%) | €25,704 |
| Mortgage arrangement fee (Bearbeitungsgebühr) | €2,160 |
| Rechtsanwalt review | €1,800 |
| Total acquisition cost | €780,604 (8.4% above price) |
Timeline: Reservation → Notar appointment (10 days) → Auflassungsvormerkung (priority notice, day 1) → Grunderwerbsteuer paid (30 days) → Final Grundbuch registration (6–12 weeks). Sarah did NOT need a Grundschuldbestellung because she paid cash; mortgage buyers add 3–6 weeks.
Priority notice registered immediately after signing protecting buyer against seller selling again or creditors seizing the property. Must be in Grundbuch Section II.
Germany's land register held at Amtsgericht. Three sections: owner (I), encumbrances (II), mortgages (III). Buyer becomes legal owner only upon registration.
German mortgages use Grundschuld (land charge), not Hypothek. A Grundschuld can be reused for future loans — important for refinancing. Cost: ~0.5–0.8% of loan via Notar.
Capital gains tax applies if property sold within 10 years (Haltefrist). After 10 years: tax-free (EStG § 23). Primary residence exempt if owner-occupied for full middle calendar year.
→ Use our German Property Cost Calculator for your exact Bundesland costs.
