City-state

Buying a home in Hamburg: transfer tax and fees

Transfer tax at the state's official rate · notary and land registry under the GNotKG · 2022 census.

In short

On a €400,000 home in Hamburg, transfer tax at 5.5%, notary and land registry fees come to €25,980, 6.5% of the price. At the 2022 census, rented homes there cost 9.16 € per m² a month net of charges and 21.6% of homes were owner-occupied.

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Tax and fees on a purchase in Hamburg

Hamburg rate (5.5%). Change any field: the amounts are recalculated instantly.

Transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer)€22,000 (5.5%)
Notary: deed, completion and supervision, VAT included€2,802
Land registry: priority notice and transfer of ownership€1,178
Buyer total€25,980
As a share of the price6.5%

No agent's commission, family exemption or Hessengeld applied. All the rates and sources.

The questions, answered

How much transfer tax on a €400,000 home in Hamburg?

Hamburg charges 5.5% real estate transfer tax: €22,000 on €400,000. With the notary (€2,802, VAT included) and the land registry (€1,178), the buyer pays €25,980 before any agent's commission or loan.

Is there first-buyer relief on transfer tax in Hamburg?

Hamburg has no first-buyer relief on transfer tax in the official sources read: the full 5.5% applies.

What does renting a home cost per m² in Hamburg?

At the 2022 census, rented homes in Hamburg cost 9.16 € per m² a month net of heating and service charges on average, above the national 7.28 €. New lettings can cost more: the census averages every current tenancy.

How many homes in Hamburg are lived in by their owners?

21.6% of the occupied homes in Hamburg were lived in by their owners at the 2022 census (Germany: 44.3%); 1.9% of all homes stood empty.

How is property tax assessed in Hamburg?

Hamburg levies the property tax under its own law since 1 January 2025: residential location model (Hamburgisches Grundsteuergesetz).

The figures

MeasureValueSource
Transfer tax rate, Hamburg5.5%hamburg.de
Transfer tax on €400,000€22,000GrEStG § 11
Notary on €400,000, VAT included€2,802GNotKG, Tabelle B
Land registry on €400,000€1,178GNotKG, Tabelle B
Net cold rent per m², 20229.16 €Census 2022
Owner-occupied homes21.6%Census 2022
Vacant homes1.9%Census 2022
Homes (dwellings)985,422Census 2022
Population1,869,473Destatis, 2025-12-31
Germany, net cold rent per m²7.28 €Census 2022

Buying from abroad

What differs for a foreign buyer: Buying as a foreigner · the notary's role · purchase costs in every state.

Sources