Guides
What you need to know about buying a home and financing it in Germany, in plain language – with worked examples and current figures.
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Buying a flat: the paperwork tells you more
Buying a flat in Germany means joining an owners' association. Which documents to read before you buy, how to spot a healthy association, and what applies when the flat is rented out.
5 minutes read
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Buying a house: what to check before you sign
Roof, cellar, heating, pipes, land register and building encumbrances: what matters when you buy a used house in Germany, which duties you inherit as the new owner, and when a surveyor pays off.
5 minutes read
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Purchase costs in Germany: what comes on top
Transfer tax, notary, land registry and broker: the extra costs of buying a home in Germany, why they usually come out of your savings, and where you can save.
3 minutes read
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After you buy: the costs that come next
Property tax, insurance, repairs, the CO₂ price, special levies and refinancing: which costs follow a home purchase in Germany, how large they can be and how much of a buffer to keep.
5 minutes read
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Renovating in Berlin: what's allowed and what it costs
Social preservation areas, listed buildings, the heat plan and the shortage of tradespeople: where renovation in Berlin stands in 2026, which rules apply to old flats, what typical work costs and what buyers should watch for.
5 minutes read