Buying property à Francfort with a dedicated expert

Frankfurt's property purchase market is highly segmented by district. Prices and buyer profiles vary significantly across the city.

• Westend — Frankfurt's most prestigious residential district, home to embassies, consulates, and senior finance professionals. Condominium purchase prices range from approximately 7,000 EUR/m² to 14,000 EUR/m²; single-family homes reach asking prices of 1,900,000 EUR to 4,800,000 EUR (source: Real Prices Frankfurt). Buyers are typically high-net-worth individuals and international executives.
• Nordend (Nord-Ost and Nord-West) — A sought-after residential area with a mix of Gründerzeit apartment buildings and a vibrant local scene. Purchase prices for condominiums range from approximately 5,200 EUR/m² to 7,950 EUR/m² in good locations, rising to the upper end in Nordend-West (source: Real Prices Frankfurt). Popular with professionals and families.
• Sachsenhausen (Nord and Süd) — Sachsenhausen-Nord is classified as a very good location with prices comparable to Nordend. Sachsenhausen-Süd recorded purchase prices around 6,114 EUR/m² following a moderate correction (source: Von Poll Immobilien). Attractive to buyers seeking proximity to the city centre with a more residential character.
• Bornheim and Ostend — Mid-range districts with a creative and diverse character. Purchase prices for condominiums are broadly in the range of 3,528 EUR/m² to 5,200 EUR/m² (source: ImmoScout24; Real Prices Frankfurt). Accessible entry point for first-time buyers and investors.
• Outer districts (Sossenheim, Nieder-Eschbach, Bergen-Enkheim, Seckbach) — More affordable areas where purchase prices are broadly in the range of 3,500 EUR/m² to 4,200 EUR/m² for condominiums and multi-family buildings (source: Real Prices Frankfurt; Von Poll Immobilien). Suited to buyers prioritising space and value over central location.

All prices are indicative asking prices as reported by market sources in 2024–2025 and are expressed in EUR per square metre.

1. Define your budget and obtain financing pre-approval — Before viewing properties, establish your maximum purchase price including all acquisition costs (transfer tax, notary, agent). Obtain a written financing confirmation from your bank or mortgage broker.
2. Property search and viewings — Search through real estate portals (ImmoScout24, Immowelt), local agents, or direct developer sales. Attend viewings and request all relevant documents (Grundbuchauszug, Energieausweis, floor plans).
3. Due diligence — Review the land register extract for encumbrances, check the building encumbrances register (Baulastenverzeichnis), inspect the energy certificate, and for condominiums, review WEG documents and maintenance reserves. Commission an independent technical survey for older properties.
4. Make an offer and negotiate — Submit a written offer. Once the seller accepts, both parties agree on the purchase price and key conditions. Note that no binding commitment exists until the notarised contract is signed.
5. Notary appointment (Notartermin) — In Germany, all property purchase contracts must be notarised. The notary (Notar) is a neutral public official who drafts the purchase contract (Kaufvertrag), reads it aloud in full, explains legal terms, and certifies the signatures of both parties.
6. Priority notice registration (Auflassungsvormerkung) — Immediately after signing, the notary registers a priority notice in the land register to protect the buyer's claim to the property while the transfer is being processed.
7. Payment of property transfer tax — The notary notifies the tax office (Finanzamt). The buyer receives a tax assessment and must pay the Grunderwerbsteuer (6% in Hesse) within the deadline, typically four to eight weeks.
8. Purchase price payment — Once the tax clearance certificate (Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung) is issued and all conditions are met, the buyer transfers the full purchase price to the seller (or via a notary escrow account).
9. Transfer of title (Auflassung) and land register entry — The notary submits the transfer deed to the land register. The buyer is officially registered as the new owner (Eigentümer) in the Grundbuch.
10. Handover (Übergabe) — Keys and possession are handed over, typically on the date agreed in the contract. A handover protocol is signed recording the property's condition and meter readings.

Non-resident buyers can access mortgage financing in Germany, including for properties in Frankfurt, though the conditions are generally more demanding than for residents.

• Legal access: German banking regulations do not prohibit non-residents from obtaining a mortgage. However, individual banks apply their own risk criteria, and the range of lenders willing to finance non-residents is narrower than for residents (source: Investropa, September 2025).
• EU nationals: Buyers who are EU citizens typically face fewer restrictions. Many banks will consider financing with a down payment of 20% to 25% of the purchase price, particularly where the buyer can demonstrate stable employment or existing ties to Germany.
• Non-EU nationals: Buyers from outside the EU generally face higher deposit requirements, with many banks demanding 30% to 40% of the purchase price as a down payment to offset perceived lending risk (source: Investropa, September 2025).
• Required documents for a mortgage application: Valid passport, proof of income (last two to three years of payslips or tax returns), bank statements, details of existing assets and liabilities, and the property purchase documentation.
• Important note on acquisition costs: The property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer at 6% in Hesse), notary fees, and land registry costs cannot be included in the mortgage and must be covered from the buyer's own funds.
• KfW development bank loans: The state development bank KfW offers homeownership loans of up to 50,000 EUR specifically to help cover closing costs such as notary fees and transfer tax, subject to eligibility criteria.
• Currency considerations: Buyers earning income in a currency other than EUR should factor in exchange rate risk when planning their financing structure.

Several professionals are involved in a Frankfurt property purchase, each with their own fee structure.

• Real estate agent (Makler): Since December 2020, when a property agent is involved in the sale of an owner-occupied apartment or single-family home, the commission must be split equally between buyer and seller. The buyer's share is typically 1.785% to 3.57% of the purchase price including 19% VAT (based on a total commission of 3.57% to 7.14%). The agent's service covers property marketing, viewings, negotiation support, and coordination up to contract signing. For investment properties or commercial transactions, different arrangements may apply.
• Notary (Notar): Fees are set by German law (Gerichts- und Notarkostengesetz) and amount to approximately 1% to 1.5% of the purchase price. The notary drafts the purchase contract, reads it in full at the signing appointment, certifies signatures, registers the priority notice, coordinates with the tax office, and submits the transfer deed to the land register. The notary acts as a neutral public official and does not represent either party.
• Land registry (Grundbuchamt): Registration fees are approximately 0.5% of the purchase price, covering the entry of the priority notice and the final ownership transfer.
• Independent surveyor or building inspector: Not legally required but strongly recommended for older properties. Fees vary by scope and property size; a standard structural survey typically costs several hundred to a few thousand EUR.
• Mortgage broker or bank arrangement fee: If applicable, typically 0.5% to 1% of the loan amount.

All fees listed above are one-off acquisition costs expressed in EUR; no periodic charges apply.