What it actually costs to buy abroad
The asking price is not the price. Every country adds transfer tax or stamp duty, notary and registry fees, legal costs and — in some places — an agency commission the buyer pays rather than the seller. Here is what each of those comes to, as a percentage on top, with the official source behind every figure.
| Country | Total on top of the price | Who pays the agent |
|---|---|---|
 Cyprus | 2–7% | No |
 France | 2.5–9% | No |
 Portugal | 3–9% | No |
 United KingdomEngland & Northern Ireland — Scotland and Wales operate separate taxes | 3–21% | No |
 Croatia | 4–9% | Often |
 United Arab EmiratesDubai — the other emirates differ | 4.5–8.5% | Usually yes |
 Türkiye | 5–12% | Varies |
 Malta | 6–9% | No |
 Greece | 7–11% | Yes |
 Italy | 7–16% | Yes |
 Spain | 8–15% | No |
Figures are for a non-resident foreign buyer of a residential property, last checked 11 September 2026. Rates change; check the sources on each country page before acting on a number, and take local professional advice. Habio is not a tax adviser.
Cite this page
Habio, “What it costs to buy property abroad, by country”. https://habio.ai/guides/cost-to-buy
https://habio.ai/guides/cost-to-buy
Free to quote and chart with attribution to Habio. Every figure links to its source.