Updated
BG-GUIDE PC
A buyer’s guide · 2026
The costs of buying property abroad
We have gathered the costs of buying property in 150 countries on one site: taxes, fees, the notary, the lawyer and the bank on top of the price. Our specialists find the property, set the budget and handle the purchase.
Calculator150 countries
150 countries in one calculator
We have gathered the rates of 150 countries and check each against an official source. Choose the country and the price to see every payment and who pays it. Our specialists prepare the exact quote for your property before any deposit.
Deal parameters
What the budget is made of6 groups
Six groups of the buyer’s costs
The first two are always paid; the rest depend on the property, the payment and whether you attend the signing.
- alwaysTax or VAT
Transfer tax, stamp duty or VAT on a new build. From 1% to 10% of the price, the largest item.
- alwaysRegistration and notary
The registry entry, the title certificate, the notarial deed on the official scale.
- almost alwaysLawyer, translations, power of attorney
Title and contract checks, a sworn translator, a power of attorney with an apostille. Usually 0.5-2% plus VAT.
- by propertyChecks on the property
A survey, an engineer, property searches and a valuation - before the deposit.
- with a loanBank and mortgage
Charge registration, the bank valuation, the arrangement fee, borrower life insurance.
- by countryInsurance and deposits
Compulsory earthquake insurance, water and power connection, refundable utility deposits.
How we handle the purchase
We handle the purchase turnkey
We work on the buyer’s side: we gather the information, find the property and handle the purchase through to title registration. You get the full budget before the deposit, with no surprises on signing day.
- 01We find the property
New builds and resales in the eight markets where we handle deals: UAE, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, the UK, Grenada and Malta.
- 02We set the full budget before the deposit
Taxes, registration, the notary, the lawyer, translations, the bank and deposits - each item with the source of its rate.
- 03We check the property and the seller
Title, debts, charges, building permits and the seller’s status - before the preliminary contract.
- 04We fix the costs in the contract
Who pays the tax, the agent and the registration - a separate line in the preliminary contract.
- 05We complete and register
The notary, payment through the bank, title registration; by power of attorney if needed, without your trip.
Inside the guide15 pages
Sections of the guide
A PDF with sums for each country, tables and the order of the calculation before the deposit. Click a page to take a closer look.
- 01In briefThe essentials in ten points
- 02Six groups of costsWhat every quote is made of
- 03New build or resaleWhen VAT replaces the tax
- 04Who pays: law and customHow the market splits payments
- 05What a purchase costs in eight countriesA comparison at €500,000
- 06UAE and TurkeyEvery item with its sum
- 07Greece and CyprusEvery item with its sum
- 08Hungary and the UKEvery item with its sum
- 09Grenada and MaltaEvery item with its sum
- 10A mortgage adds feesCharge, valuation, bank fee
- 11Every year after the purchaseTaxes, insurance, service charges
- 12Setting the budget before the depositSix steps before the contract
Who prepared it
Author and review
Rates come from laws, agency tariffs and industry sources. Every rate in the calculator links to its source and the date it was checked.
Published 11 August 2026 · Updated 7 November 2026
Official sources
- Dubai Land Department: Property sale registration
- Fees Law No. 492 (Türkiye)
- AADE: Property Tax Code, Law 5219/2025
- Department of Lands and Surveys (Cyprus)
- NAV: property acquisition duty (Hungary)
- HM Land Registry: registration fees
- U.S. Department of State: 2026 Investment Climate Statement, Grenada
- Malta Tax and Customs: AIP permit
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much should I plan on top of the price?+
For a resale home in our markets, 3% to 9% of the price; in Grenada about 13-14% for a foreigner. A new build in Cyprus with 19% VAT - up to 21%. We set the exact sum for the property before the deposit.
Why can a new build cost more?+
A developer sale often carries VAT instead of the transfer tax: 19% in Cyprus, or 5% on a main home. Greece has suspended VAT to 31.12.2026, and in Turkey a non-resident may be exempt.
Can the taxes go into the mortgage?+
Usually not: the bank lends against the price, and taxes, fees and commissions come from own funds. A mortgage adds charge registration, a valuation and the bank’s fee.
Does a foreigner pay more than a local buyer?+
It depends on the country. In England a non-resident pays 2 percentage points more tax, in Grenada a foreigner pays 10%, Turkey adds a land registry surcharge, and Hungary and Malta require a purchase permit.
Do I need to attend the signing?+
No, with a power of attorney. It is signed before a notary or at a consulate, then apostilled and translated - those costs are in the calculation too.
What format is the guide in?+
A 15-page PDF in English. You can read it on a phone, tablet or computer.
Where will you send the guide?+
By WhatsApp, Telegram or email. Choose the channel in the form - a consultant sends the guide after processing your request.
What if the guide has not arrived?+
Check the contact you gave and the spam folder if you chose email. If the file is not there, write to us on WhatsApp or Telegram.
Get the guide
Get the guide and a quote for your property
Tell us where to send the PDF. A consultant will send the guide and, if you need it, set the budget for your purchase.
- Six groups of costs and who pays what
- New build or resale
- Calculations for the eight countries where we handle deals
- Bank fees with a mortgage
- Running costs every year
- The calculation before the deposit
Want to discuss your purchase?
- Property and residencyWhere a property gives a status and how a market asset differs from a project share.
- How to check a propertyWhat is checked before the deposit: title, charges, the developer.
- How costs and timelines are setThe programme quote: cost items and non-refundable payments.
- All BRIDGES guidesCitizenship and residency programmes, property, checks and taxes.