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International Owners and Buyers
Whether you live abroad or are an expat in Berlin: When buying or selling a property in Germany, unfamiliar procedures, the language, and the distance are often the biggest obstacles. It’s good to know: Anyone can buy here – regardless of nationality or place of residence.
You live abroad and would like to sell an apartment in Berlin
The Challenge
You can’t travel to Germany for every inspection and appointment – and coordinating documents, property management, and tenants from afar is laborious. In addition, there are tax issues, such as the speculation period or the double taxation agreement with your country of residence.
Our support
- You do not need to travel to the sale. Together with the notary, we prepare a power of attorney that you can easily sign in your home country.
- We will go through the purchase contract with you via video call – in your language and at a time that suits your time zone.
- We take care of viewings, tenants, property management and handover on-site.
- For your tax-related questions, we connect you with tax advisors who are familiar with sellers abroad.
You live abroad and would like to buy an apartment in Berlin
The Challenge
From a distance, it is difficult to assess whether the location, price, and quality of a property are really right. In addition, there is the process of buying a property with a notary, land registry, and associated costs, which you probably aren't familiar with. That's why it's even more important to have someone you can trust on site.
Our support
- Through live video, we will show you around the apartment and answer your questions directly on site.
- We review German documents such as division declarations or minutes of the owners' meetings for you and explain them in your language.
- You know in advance what additional costs will apply to you – in Berlin these mainly include the 6 % property acquisition tax and the costs of notary and land registry.
- You do not have to arrive for the notary appointment; a power of attorney is sufficient. If you would like to be present yourself, we will help you arrange an interpreter.
You are an expat and want to sell an apartment in Berlin
The Challenge
The move date is set, but the apartment isn’t yet sold? Or the new, larger apartment has been found and suddenly two financing plans are running in parallel? Whether returning to one’s homeland or more space for the family: Anyone who doesn’t plan their return to their home country or the next step carefully runs into time pressure – and then often sells for less than the value.
Our support
- With a thorough assessment on-site, you know what to expect.
- Are you moving away before the apartment is sold? No problem – we can simply continue the sale from a distance after your move.
- You stay in Berlin and need more space? Then we take care of sales and new purchases from a single source.
- If you have lived in the apartment yourself, a sale is often tax-free even after ten years has passed. To ensure that this remains the case, it pays to have a quick check with our partner tax advisors before moving in.
You are an expat, living in Berlin and want to buy an apartment
The Challenge
Whether working professionals or students: reservation, notary, land registry, land acquisition tax – the purchase of real estate in Germany follows rules that you hardly know from your home country. The ancillary costs quickly amount to around 10 % % of the purchase price. And important documents are only available in German: Anyone who does not understand them may be signing up for risks they do not know about.
Our support
- In our buying advice section, we explain step by step how a real estate purchase in Germany works – if you wish, in your language.
- We calculate all purchase-related costs in advance, so there are no surprises.
- We help you find the neighborhood that suits your lifestyle – whether it’s a short commute, an international school, or proximity to the university.
- We will go through the German documents together and explain to you what matters.
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