Buying, selling, leasing and developing property, including advice for non-EU citizens and foreign investors.
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Most European countries allow foreigners to purchase property, though some have restrictions for non-EU nationals. A real estate lawyer can advise on your specific situation.
Title searches, planning permission checks, mortgage encumbrance searches, and review of the sale contract. Always use an independent lawyer, not the seller's lawyer.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across United Kingdom's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsProperty taxes in the United Kingdom are devolved: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) applies in England and Northern Ireland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) in Scotland, and Land Transaction Tax (LTT) in Wales. The temporary SDLT cuts introduced in 2022 expired on 31 March 2025, reverting thresholds to pre-cut levels.
| Purchase Price Band | Standard Rate | First-Time Buyer Rate | Additional Dwelling (+5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0 – £125,000 | 0% | 0% | 5% |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% | 0%* | 7% |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% | 5% | 10% |
| £925,001 – £1,500,000 | 10% | 10% | 15% |
| Over £1,500,000 | 12% | 12% | 17% |
*FTB relief: 0% up to £300,000; 5% on £300,001–£500,000. No relief if purchase price exceeds £500,000. Non-UK resident surcharge: additional 2% (Finance Act 2021 s.70) for buyers absent from UK for 183+ days in 12 months before completion.
Additional dwelling surcharge raised from 3% to 5% by Autumn Budget 2024 (effective 31 October 2024). Applies to second homes, buy-to-let, and company purchases.
| Purchase Price Band | Standard Rate | FTB Rate (ADS-exempt) | Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS 6%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0 – £145,000 | 0% | 0% (up to £175k) | 6% |
| £145,001 – £250,000 | 2% | 2% | 8% |
| £250,001 – £325,000 | 5% | 5% | 11% |
| £325,001 – £750,000 | 10% | 10% | 16% |
| Over £750,000 | 12% | 12% | 18% |
ADS raised from 4% to 6% on 16 December 2022. FTB threshold at £175,000 (0% LBTT, ADS still payable on additional dwellings).
| Purchase Price Band | Standard Rate | Higher Rates (additional property) |
|---|---|---|
| £0 – £225,000 | 0% | 4% |
| £225,001 – £400,000 | 6% | 10% |
| £400,001 – £750,000 | 7.5% | 11.5% |
| £750,001 – £1,500,000 | 10% | 14% |
| Over £1,500,000 | 12% | 16% |
| Cost Item | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitor fees (freehold purchase) | £1,000 – £2,500 + VAT | Higher for leasehold (+£200–500), new build (+£300–600) |
| Solicitor fees (sale) | £800 – £1,800 + VAT | Varies by price and complexity |
| Local authority search | £100 – £300 | Varies by council |
| Water and drainage search | £50 – £100 | Required by most lenders |
| Environmental search | £40 – £80 | Floods, contaminated land |
| Land Registry title register | £3 – £7 per document | Online; solicitor obtains |
| Land Registry registration fee | £20 – £910 | Scaled by price; £500k = £270 (online) |
| Electronic transfer fee (CHAPS) | £25 – £50 | Per transfer |
| Mortgage arrangement fee | £0 – £2,000 | Lender dependent |
| Survey (HomeBuyer Report) | £400 – £1,000 | RICS Level 2; Level 3 £700–£1,500 |
Residential property gains are subject to CGT at 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate) from 30 October 2024 (Autumn Budget 2024 — reduced from previous 28%). The annual exempt amount is £3,000 (2024/25). A 60-day reporting and payment window applies for UK residents disposing of residential property (extended from 30 days in October 2021). Non-UK residents must report within 60 days regardless of gain or loss, using the UK Property Reporting Service on HMRC.
Principal Private Residence (PPR) relief fully exempts the main home. Letting relief was restricted in April 2020 to periods of shared occupancy. Non-residents who owned UK property before April 2015 may elect a rebasing to April 2015 value under Schedule 1 TCGA 1992 (as amended by Finance Act 2019).
A French national, Marie, purchased a £420,000 flat in Edinburgh as her sole home (non-UK resident at time of purchase). LBTT calculation: £145k × 0% = £0; £105k × 2% = £2,100; £170k × 5% = £8,500; total LBTT = £10,600. No ADS as sole property. Non-resident surcharge does not apply to LBTT (Scotland has no equivalent). Conveyancing: solicitor £1,800 + VAT (£2,160); searches £250; Land Registration (Registers of Scotland) £260; LBTT return filed by solicitor within 30 days of effective date (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013 s.31). Total transaction cost: approximately £13,270 (3.2% of purchase price).
