Buying for expats and international buyers · Berlin and Brandenburg
New to Berlin? Then arrive as an owner too.
We guide you from the first conversation to the notary appointment, in German or English.
Buying wish · Buyer profile
What would you like to buy?
Three short questions, then your contact details. We reply in German or English.
What are you buying for?
How much would you like to invest?
Where do you live today?
Where should we send suitable offers?
Please enter your name, phone number and email address.
Your buying wish is noted
We will contact you personally as soon as a suitable property comes in, even before it is advertised.
Free of charge for buyers Can be withdrawn at any time
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Overall rating and number of reviews from our Google profile, as of 28/09/2026. We do not check whether the reviewers actually used our services, and we give no consideration in return for reviews. Notes on reviews
In brief
Buy property in Berlin as an expat or from abroad
Foreigners may buy property in Germany, even without residence in Germany and without German citizenship. Financing is harder than the purchase: banks often ask non-residents for more equity and more proof. BBI is a real estate agent on Kurfürstendamm and guides international buyers in Berlin and Brandenburg, from the search through the bank documents to the notary appointment. Your contact is Phil Radtke, Managing Director and CEO, in German and English.
Price comparison
Buying in Berlin costs less than half of London or New York.
According to Numbeo, a square metre of a flat in central Berlin costs around 8,700 US dollars. In London it is around 18,800, in New York around 19,200, in Paris around 14,400 and in Zurich around 27,600. Anyone who would pay for 80 square metres in London gets around 173 square metres in Berlin for the same money. In this selection, only Toronto, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Los Angeles and Dubai are cheaper than Berlin.
| City | USD per m² | USD total | Factor to Berlin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 28,844 | 2,307,520 | 3.3 |
| Zurich | 27,615 | 2,209,200 | 3.2 |
| Singapore | 23,384 | 1,870,720 | 2.7 |
| Tel Aviv | 19,873 | 1,589,840 | 2.3 |
| New York | 19,221 | 1,537,680 | 2.2 |
| London | 18,805 | 1,504,400 | 2.2 |
| Vienna | 14,578 | 1,166,240 | 1.7 |
| Paris | 14,437 | 1,154,960 | 1.7 |
| Sydney | 13,220 | 1,057,600 | 1.5 |
| Munich | 12,831 | 1,026,480 | 1.5 |
| Amsterdam | 10,406 | 832,480 | 1.2 |
| Hamburg | 9,707 | 776,560 | 1.1 |
| Madrid | 9,108 | 728,640 | 1.0 |
| Berlin | 8,683 | 694,640 | 1.0 |
| Toronto | 8,039 | 643,120 | 0.9 |
| Frankfurt | 7,976 | 638,080 | 0.9 |
| Lisbon | 7,713 | 617,040 | 0.9 |
| Los Angeles | 7,323 | 585,840 | 0.8 |
| Dubai | 7,183 | 574,640 | 0.8 |
Berlin against individual cities
Source: Numbeo, price per square metre for a flat in the city centre in US dollars, retrieved on 18/10/2026. Numbeo figures are based on user submissions, they are not an official statistic and show the order of magnitude, not the price of an individual flat. In central Berlin prices are above the city average. In Berlin, 6.0% real estate transfer tax and other buying costs come on top, see Buying costs in Berlin. This page is not investment advice.
Typical cases
Who contacts us, and what we do then.
Newcomer, staying longer
You work in Berlin, the rent keeps rising, you want to own. We search in the districts that fit your commute, schools and budget.
Investment from abroad
You do not live in Germany and want let flats or a house. We calculate in annual rents and give the source of every figure.
Surrounding area: Potsdam, Falkensee, Teltow
More space, a short way into the city. We know the locations around Berlin.
Investor, family office
Packages, apartment buildings, plots. First a profile without the address, the documents follow once you have given a confidentiality commitment.
Read more
The topics expats ask about first.
Mortgages for non-residents
Equity, proof of income, bank account and the right order of steps.
Buying from abroad
Notary appointment, certified power of attorney, payment and land register.
Additional purchase costs in Berlin
Real estate transfer tax, notary, land register, commission, with a worked example.
Frequently asked questions
Buying property in Berlin as a foreigner: frequently asked questions.
Answers as of: 18 October 2026
Is buying in Berlin cheap in an international comparison?
Yes, compared with London, New York, Paris, Zurich or Vienna. According to Numbeo, a square metre of a flat in the city centre costs around 8,700 US dollars in Berlin, around 18,800 in London and around 19,200 in New York. In this selection, Toronto, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Los Angeles and Dubai are cheaper than Berlin. The figures are user submissions and not an official statistic, and in Berlin 6.0% real estate transfer tax and other buying costs come on top.
Can I buy property as a foreigner without living in Germany?
Yes. Nationality and place of residence do not matter for the purchase. The hurdles are in the financing, not in the purchase itself.
Can I get a mortgage as an expat?
Usually yes, but with more equity and more proof than locals. Payslips, tax assessments and bank statements often have to be translated. A German bank account and a mailing address in Germany help. We introduce you to a financing broker early, so you know where you stand before you view anything.
Who pays the agent's commission?
If you buy a flat or a single-family house as a private individual, buyer and seller each pay half of the commission. For apartment buildings, plots and company buyers, we agree the commission in text form before marketing starts. An email is enough.
Can I attend the notary appointment without speaking German?
Yes, with an interpreter. The notary reads the contract aloud so that you understand what you sign. We help you find an interpreter and ask the notary in advance whether an English draft of the contract is possible for orientation.
Can I buy from abroad without travelling?
Yes, with a power of attorney for someone you trust, certified by a notary at the very least, for example at a German embassy or consulate or with a notary in your country of residence. The notary in Germany records the purchase contract in person. Viewings and coordination run by video, email and post. We tell you which steps you need beforehand.
Talk to Phil Radtke.
A conversation in German or English before you book a single viewing.