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Can non-EU citizens buy property in Germany?

Short answer: Can non-EU citizens buy property in Germany? Yes—German law places no ownership restrictions on foreigners, so you can buy a flat, house or multifamily block on the same terms as a German national.

Can non-EU citizens buy property in Germany without hurdles? Absolutely, but you should know three practical details before signing a purchase contract:

1 —> No residency rights. Owning bricks does not grant a visa or residence permit; immigration status and real-estate law are entirely separate. We therefore run a parallel check with your immigration lawyer if you plan to live here long-term.

2 —> Financing rules. German banks will lend to foreign buyers, yet they often require 10%–20% equity plus all closing costs. Our mortgage calculator shows the down-payment and monthly rate in seconds, and we forward your file to lenders that specialise in non-resident mortgages.

3 —> The notary process. Every sale is completed before a German notary, who reads the contract aloud (in German) and files the land-registry change. We arrange sworn translation, attend the appointment or act via power of attorney, then coordinate fund transfer and key hand-over.

Because more than 95% of our real-estate clients are non-EU citizens, we know the pitfalls—from missing tax numbers to international money-laundering checks. Start your search on our real-estate desk; we’ll shortlist properties, line up financing and manage every document in English.

Key take-aways:

  • Foreigners face no legal barrier to property ownership in Germany.
  • Property purchase does not mean residency; visas follow separate rules.
  • Finance for Expats secures non-resident mortgages, translation and full notary support.

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