Buying an Apartment in Berlin – FAQ

Find answers to the most important questions about buying an apartment in Berlin, from creating your search profile and arranging financing to viewings, required documents, purchase offers and the notary process.

No, downloading an exposé or requesting further information does not create any direct payment obligation. However, before receiving the full exposé, buyers are asked to confirm the relevant commission terms, brokerage agreement and withdrawal information for the specific property.

If a buyer’s commission applies, the amount is clearly stated in advance. The commission is only payable if you successfully purchase the property and a notarised purchase agreement is concluded. As the process is started online, you will also receive information about your statutory right of withdrawal before accessing the detailed property documents.

This ensures full transparency from the beginning: you know which commission may apply, when it becomes payable and which confirmations are required before receiving the full exposé or arranging a viewing.

Before downloading a detailed exposé, certain legal and contractual information must be acknowledged. These checkboxes usually relate to the estate agent commission, the brokerage agreement and the statutory right of withdrawal.

The purpose is to make the process transparent before you receive detailed property information or arrange a viewing. Requesting an exposé itself does not mean that a commission is immediately due. A commission only becomes payable if a notarised purchase agreement is concluded and the commission terms for the property apply.

In addition to the purchase price, buyers should take the ancillary purchase costs into account. These usually include real estate transfer tax, notary and land register fees and, where applicable, the estate agent’s commission. In Berlin, ancillary purchase costs are often around 10 to 12 percent of the purchase price, depending on the specific commission arrangement. A detailed calculation should be discussed with your financing partner at an early stage.

Ideally, financing should be prepared before the first viewing. A financing certificate or pre-check from your bank or a financing advisor helps you react quickly and confidently when you find a suitable apartment. Especially for attractive properties, being well prepared can make a real difference.

Buyers usually receive an exposé as well as relevant property documents such as the floor plan, energy certificate, declaration of division, business plan, service charge statements and minutes of owners’ meetings. At Next Estate, we provide the available documents in a structured way and answer any questions about the property and the next steps.

After the viewing, interested buyers usually review the documents, confirm their financing and submit a purchase offer. Once the offer has been accepted, the notary prepares the draft purchase agreement. After the statutory review period, the purchase agreement can be signed at the notary’s office. This is followed by payment of the purchase price, transfer of ownership and handover.

From the first purchase offer to the notary appointment, the process often takes several weeks. The exact timeline depends on how quickly financing, documents, the draft contract and coordination between all parties can be completed. A well-prepared buyer can significantly speed up the process.

The first step is to define a clear search profile. The more precise you are about your budget, preferred location, apartment size, number of rooms, floor level, elevator, balcony, vacant possession and other criteria, the more targeted your search will be. At Next Estate, you can create a personal search profile and be informed as soon as suitable apartments become available.

Not every apartment is published immediately on the major property portals. At Next Estate, we always offer new apartments to our existing search clients first. By creating a search profile, you increase your chances of hearing about suitable properties early — sometimes before they appear on the major portals.

Yes, we regularly support international buyers purchasing apartments in Berlin. Our exposés and documents are available in German and English. We also explain the German purchase process, the role of the notary, important deadlines and the next steps through to handover.

Hausgeld is the monthly service charge paid by apartment owners. It usually covers running costs, building maintenance, management fees and contributions to the maintenance reserve. Buyers should review the amount carefully, as it affects monthly ownership costs and can also indicate how well the building is managed.

In addition to location, condition and layout, buyers should pay attention to natural light, noise levels, floor level, orientation, common areas and the overall condition of the building. It is also important to ask about service charges, planned maintenance, the owners’ association and whether the apartment is vacant.

When buying an apartment in Germany, you become part of the owners’ association, known as the WEG. This association makes decisions about the building, maintenance, renovations and shared costs. Before buying, it is important to review recent meeting minutes, planned works and the financial situation of the building.

A vacant apartment is not rented out and can generally be used by the buyer after completion. This is particularly important for buyers who want to move into the apartment themselves. If an apartment is rented, the existing tenancy, tenant protection and legal regulations should be carefully reviewed before purchase.

Whether and in what amount an estate agent commission applies depends on the specific property and the commission arrangement. For residential properties bought for private use, the commission is usually shared between seller and buyer if a commission-based estate agency agreement exists. The exact arrangement is communicated transparently in the exposé and before a viewing.

Yes, in many cases it is possible to buy an apartment even if you are not permanently based in Berlin. Viewings can sometimes be arranged by video, documents can be reviewed digitally and the notary appointment may be handled through a power of attorney if required. However, the exact process should always be coordinated with the notary in advance.

After the viewing, interested buyers usually review the documents, confirm their financing and submit a purchase offer. Once the offer has been accepted, the notary prepares the draft purchase agreement. Before notarisation, the draft is sent to the parties for review. Depending on the parties involved, a statutory review period may apply. Buyers should use this time to review the contract carefully, clarify financing and involve a translator, lawyer or tax advisor if needed.

At the notary appointment, the purchase agreement is read out, explained and signed. After notarisation, the notary coordinates the next legal steps, including payment requirements, land register matters and communication with the parties. Once the purchase price has been paid, the handover of keys usually takes place.

As a general guideline, the process from viewing to notarisation often takes around 2 to 6 weeks. The exact timeline depends on financing, document availability, negotiation, notary availability and how quickly all parties can review and approve the draft purchase agreement.

The typical steps are: viewing, document review, financing confirmation, purchase offer, offer acceptance, notary instruction, draft purchase agreement and notarisation.

After signing, several steps still need to take place before the buyer becomes the legal owner. These include notary processing, possible approvals, registration of the priority notice, the purchase price due notice, payment of the purchase price and final registration in the land register. The handover usually takes place after the purchase price has been received by the seller.

After notarisation, it usually takes another 4 to 8 weeks until the purchase price is paid and the keys can be handed over. During this period, the notary coordinates the required legal steps, including any necessary approvals, registration of the priority notice and the purchase price due notice.

The keys are usually handed over once the seller has received the purchase price. At the handover, meter readings are recorded and the condition of the apartment is documented in a handover protocol.

We support buyers with suitable property offers, clear information, structured documents and personal guidance throughout the entire purchase process. From the first enquiry to the viewing, financing stage, notary appointment and handover, we are available as your point of contact.

The purchase of an apartment generally becomes legally binding when the purchase agreement is notarised.

At the notary appointment, the purchase agreement is read out in full, explained and then signed by the parties. From this point onwards, the buyer and seller are generally bound by the obligations set out in the agreement. The buyer is registered as the legal owner in the land register at a later stage, once the purchase price has been paid and the other legal requirements have been fulfilled.