If you sell an investment property within 10 years , profits are subject to heavy taxation unless it was your primary residence [11]. What Buying a Flat in Germany Taught Me

Bank statements showing sufficient equity for the down payment and closing costs [4, 5.7].

The property's floor plan, land registry extract, and the "declaration of division" ( Teilungserklärung ) for apartments [4]. Critical Considerations

A valid passport or ID card (driving licenses are generally not accepted) [4].

You should budget for of the purchase price in closing costs alone, which are typically paid out-of-pocket [15, 23, 24].

A notary drafts the contract and reads it aloud in German; if you aren't fluent, an official interpreter is legally required [11, 27].

Banks generally require a 10% to 30% down payment, especially for non-residents [23]. Steps to Purchase

The notary records the sale in the land registry, and you pay the purchase price once the notary confirms all legal conditions are met [5, 27]. Essential Documents