A transparent property-buying process for foreign investors.
Foreign buyer rights: there is no legal restriction on non-residents purchasing property in Germany, whether they are EU citizens or third-country nationals.
Important note: buying property on its own does not grant residency or visa status.
All transfers must go through an official notary (Notar) and only become valid once registered in the land registry (Grundbuch).
| Platform | Highlight |
|---|---|
| ImmobilienScout24 | ~46 million monthly visits; the largest database |
| Immowelt | ~13 million monthly visits; integrated with Immonet |
| Immonet | ~3 million monthly visits |
| Kleinanzeigen | Free listings; direct owner sales |
| Item | % of Purchase Price |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer) | 3.5% – 6.5% (varies by state) |
| Notary fees | 0.8% – 1.2% |
| Land registry fee (Grundbuch) | ~0.5% |
| Agent commission (buyer's share) | ~3% |
| Total (typical range) | 10% – 15% |
Example state rates: Bavaria 3.5% · North Rhine-Westphalia 6.5% · Berlin 6.0%
Identity & legal: valid passport/ID, tax ID number (if available), marital-status documentation, power of attorney (if not attending in person).
Financial: bank pre-approval letter, 3 months of bank statements, proof of income, credit report (SCHUFA or equivalent), proof of funds for amounts over €10,000.
Property-related (typically provided by the seller): current land registry excerpt, energy certificate (Energieausweis), cadastral maps, building inspection reports, and homeowners' association documents where applicable.
Timeline: 6–12 weeks from contract signing to final transfer.
