How to Buy Land in Germany in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners

Step 1: Define the Purpose of Your Purchase

Before you begin the buying process, it’s important to clarify the reason for your purchase:

To build a private home
As an investment in future land value
For agricultural or commercial use

The experts at Dominart Real Estate will help you identify the most suitable land type and check in advance whether your intended use is permitted under the local development plan (Bebauungsplan).

Step 2: Choose the Region and Type of Land

Prices and investment potential vary significantly depending on the federal state and local area.

Dominart Real Estate offers access to current and off-market land listings that are not publicly available.

Step 3: Legal Verification of the Plot

Before purchasing, you should verify:

Whether the land is officially classified as buildable (Bauland)
Any encumbrances, existing lease contracts, or outstanding debts
Potential contamination or soil pollution (Altlasten)
Connection to utilities: electricity, water, sewage, internet

Our legal team will conduct a thorough due diligence process, request official records from relevant authorities, and ensure the legal safety of your transaction.

Step 4: Financial Planning and Additional Costs

Typical cost structure:

Purchase price of the land
Property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer): 3.5% to 6.5% depending on the federal state
Notary fees and land registry: approximately 1.5%–2%
Agency and service fees: 3%–7% depending on service package

We provide you with a transparent cost breakdown and financial model before the transaction.

Step 5: Document Preparation

You will need the following documents:

Valid passport
Proof of funds or origin of capital
Power of attorney (if purchasing remotely)
For financing: additional documents, such as income proof (your advisor will assist)

Step 6: Property Search and Reservation

After selecting a suitable property, it can usually be reserved with a reservation agreement and a deposit. We thoroughly review all legal documents before any payment is made to protect your investment.

Dominart Real Estate manages the negotiation process with the seller and ensures full legal protection for your interests.

Step 7: Signing the Contract at the Notary

The notarial process typically includes:

Drafting and reviewing the purchase contract
Appointment with a certified notary
Signing the contract and submitting it to the land registry (Grundbuch)

We coordinate all meetings and can represent you via a legally appointed agent if you cannot attend in person.

Step 8: Payment and Registration of Ownership

Once the contract is signed, you typically have 4–6 weeks to complete the payment. The notary then submits the documents to the land registry. After 6–12 weeks, you are officially registered as the owner.

Dominart Real Estate monitors the entire registration process and provides you with all official confirmations and documentation.

Remote Land Purchase Is Also Possible

You can purchase land in Germany remotely — with a notarized power of attorney from your country. This is particularly relevant for buyers from CIS countries, Israel, the Middle East, and Asia.

Our team takes care of the entire legal and technical process, so you don’t need to be physically present in Germany.