Transaction costs by country

What is included

Transfer tax or stamp duty, notary fees, land registry fees, legal fees, and the buyer's share of agency commission where that is the local custom. On the sale side we include agency commission and any seller-paid taxes other than capital gains tax.

Break-even holding period

Divide round-trip costs by expected annual net appreciation to estimate the minimum hold before you break even. In high-cost markets that can exceed five years.

Frequently asked questions

Does this include capital gains tax?

No. Capital gains tax depends on your personal circumstances and holding period, so it is reported separately rather than mixed into round-trip costs.

Are costs negotiable?

Statutory taxes are not, but agency commission and legal fees frequently are, particularly on higher-value transactions.