In depth · Property
Buying property in Berlin: the steps for buyers
The official steps for buying a home in Berlin. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Updated October 2026
The notary
A property purchase contract in Germany is only valid when notarised. The notary drafts the contract, reads it aloud to buyer and seller, and applies for the change of ownership in the Land Register. Many buyers also take their own lawyer.
The Land Register
Ownership is recorded in the Grundbuch, kept by the local courts. Your notary checks the entry, and any charges on the property, before you sign.
Taxes and fees
Buyers pay the real estate transfer tax, set by each federal state, plus notary and Land Register fees. Confirm Berlin’s current rate with the Senate Department for Finance or your notary before you budget.
Where people live
See our property guide for Charlottenburg, Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Grunewald and Friedrichshain. We don’t publish prices or yields.
Questions and answers
Do I need a notary to buy property in Berlin?
Yes: in Germany every property purchase contract must be notarised.
Where is ownership recorded?
In the Land Register (Grundbuch), kept by the local courts.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm every step with a German notary or lawyer.