House Buying Costs Calculator
Worked example (the default inputs above): €300,000 in Germany at the example rates (5.0% transfer + 2.0% notary/registry) → buying costs €21,000 → total cash needed €321,000, of which €60,000 is deposit and €240,000 is mortgage.
Key fact: In much of Europe the deposit is not the whole cash you need: taxes and notary costs on top of the price commonly add 2–10% more, depending on the country.
What this calculator does
This calculator estimates the total cash needed to buy a home in five European countries: the price itself plus transfer tax, notary and registry costs at clearly-labelled example rates, plus any extra fees you add. It also shows the mortgage you would still need after your deposit.
→ Mortgage affordability calculator
How to use it
- Enter the purchase price.
- Choose the country — the calculator applies that country's example rates, shown in the result.
- Enter your deposit and any extra fees (agent, survey, lender), then read the total cash needed instantly.
The formula
Buying costs = price × transfer-tax example rate + price × notary/registry example rate + extra fees. Total cash needed = price + buying costs. Mortgage needed = price − deposit. Example (Germany): €300,000 × 5.0% = €15,000 tax + €300,000 × 2.0% = €6,000 notary/registry = €21,000 costs → total €321,000.
→ Mortgage affordability calculator
Worked example with real numbers
A buyer in Berlin agrees €300,000 for a flat, with €60,000 saved as deposit. At the Germany example rates, transfer tax is 5.0% (€15,000) and notary plus land-registry costs are 2.0% (€6,000), so buying costs are €21,000 and total cash needed is €321,000 — the €60,000 deposit plus a €240,000 mortgage covers the price, but the €21,000 of costs must come from savings on top, unless the lender agrees to finance them (most do not). The same €300,000 flat in France at the example rates would cost about €27,000 in notary and transfer costs, for a total of €327,000, while in the Netherlands the example total is €309,000. Country choice alone moves the cash needed by tens of thousands.
Reference table
Buying costs on a €300,000 home at the example rates (illustrative figures — actual rates vary):
| Country | Example rates | Buying costs | Total cash needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 5.0% + 2.0% | €21,000 | €321,000 |
| France | 7.5% + 1.5% | €27,000 | €327,000 |
| Spain | 7.0% + 1.5% | €25,500 | €325,500 |
| Italy | 2.0% + 1.5% | €10,500 | €310,500 |
| Netherlands | 2.0% + 1.0% | €9,000 | €309,000 |
→ Mortgage affordability calculator
Sources and disclaimer
Rates used are EXAMPLES, not current quotes: Germany transfer tax actually varies 3.5–6.5% by state; France notary costs run about 7–8% for existing property and 2–3% for new-build; Spain transfer tax varies 6–10% by region; Italy's 2% first-home registration tax is charged on cadastral value, not market price, so the Italy figure here is an illustration on price; Netherlands transfer tax is 2%, with a one-time 0% exemption for eligible first-time buyers under 35. Notary and registry percentages are planning examples. Always confirm the exact rates for your region, property type and buyer status with a local notary or tax adviser before budgeting — this calculator is a planning estimate, not a quote.
Estimate only — not tax or financial advice. This tool estimates only. It is not tax, legal or financial advice and does not determine your actual tax, loan or lender decision — check your national tax authority, bank or a qualified adviser for your situation. Always verify current figures with the official source or a qualified adviser before making decisions.
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