Author
Germany and Netherlands Analyst
Lukas covers Germany and the Netherlands for AiMYNDi: Grundsteuer after the reform, Grunderwerbsteuer by federal state, overdrachtsbelasting, and the erfpacht clauses that turn a clean Dutch purchase into a long conversation. Valuation work in Düsseldorf and Amsterdam came first, and is where the interest in municipal small print started.
Britain adds 5% for a second home and 2% for non-residents. Germany adds neither: Grunderwerbsteuer runs 3.5% to 6.5%, set by the state, never the buyer.
Duisburg dropped its split Grundsteuer rates on 24 February 2026 for a single 1,169% multiplier, lifting residential bills 32% and cutting business ones 20.4%.
From 1 January 2026 the Dutch overdrachtsbelasting on a home you will not live in is 8%, down from 10.4%. The starter exemption still stops at 555,000 euro.
A Finnish flat is shares in a housing company. A German flat is Wohnungseigentum, governed by a Teilungserklärung, and the transfer tax at least doubles.
In Norway an accepted bid is binding. In Germany nothing binds until a Notar reads the Kaufvertrag aloud, and the transfer tax is set by the Bundesland.
A Dutch buyer gets three days to dissolve the purchase. In Germany the notary reads the contract aloud and the signature binds you on the spot.
Denmark decides who may own a Danish holiday home. Germany applies no nationality test at all, but transfer tax jumps from 0.6% to at least 3.5%.
Sweden concludes a sale on a document the parties sign themselves, at 1.5% stamp duty. Germany voids it without a Notar, and charges at least 3.5%.
7 editors and analysts contribute to the AiMYNDi newsroom across European markets.