[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":768},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-mortgage-in-germany-en":3},{"article":4,"recommendedArticles":741},{"slug":5,"title":6,"listPicture":7,"listPictureMobile":7,"listPictureWebp":7,"listPictureMobileWebp":7,"preview":8,"category":9,"author":10,"authorImage":11,"authorImageWebp":12,"authorDescription":13,"authorSlug":14,"content":15,"contentRaw":16,"order":719,"publishedAt":720,"createdAt":720,"updatedAt":721,"seoTitle":722,"seoDescription":723,"seoKeywords":724,"seoImage":7,"mainPicture":7,"mainPictureMobile":7,"mainPictureWebp":7,"mainPictureMobileWebp":7,"language":725,"subTitle":724,"actionLabel":724,"actionType":724,"actionText":724,"id":724,"introduction":726,"tableOfContentArray":727},"mortgage-in-germany","How to Get a Mortgage in Germany?","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F42Vx0zYqCYhKO9FemgPy9Z\u002F152a0dad49337697e2b5d8a4e674e6eb\u002Fmortgage-in-germany.jpg","To make the home buying experience a bit easier, we will show you how it works and includes tips to help guide you through the process and prepare you for the purchase of your first home in Germany.","mortgage-fundamentals","Dr. Chris Mulder","https:\u002F\u002Fa.hypofriend.de\u002Fhypofriends\u002Fdr.-christian-mulder.png","https:\u002F\u002Fa.hypofriend.de\u002Fhypofriends\u002Fdr.-christian-mulder.webp","Dr. Chris is a former Senior Economist and Manager at the IMF and The World Bank. He is a Hypofriend Co-founder.","chris","  \u003Cdiv id=\"table-of-contents\">\n    \u003Cdiv class=\"headline\">\n      Table Of Contents\n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \u003Cul>\n      \u003Cli>\n  \u003Ca @click.prevent=\"$root.$emit('scrollAnchor', $event)\" href=\"#h-is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house-in-germany\">\n    Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Germany?\n  \u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\n  \u003Ca @click.prevent=\"$root.$emit('scrollAnchor', $event)\" href=\"#h-can-you-afford-a-german-mortgage\">\n    Can you Afford a German Mortgage?\n  \u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\n  \u003Ca @click.prevent=\"$root.$emit('scrollAnchor', $event)\" href=\"#h-how-to-qualify-for-a-german-mortgage\">\n    How to Qualify for a German Mortgage?\n  \u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\n  \u003Ca @click.prevent=\"$root.$emit('scrollAnchor', $event)\" href=\"#h-how-to-choose-the-right-german-mortgage\">\n    How to Choose the Right German Mortgage?\n  \u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\n  \u003Ca @click.prevent=\"$root.$emit('scrollAnchor', $event)\" href=\"#h-can-foreigners-get-a-mortgage-in-germany\">\n    Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in Germany?\n  \u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\n  \u003Ca @click.prevent=\"$root.$emit('scrollAnchor', $event)\" href=\"#h-8-factors-that-determine-the-right-german-mortgage-lender\">\n    8 Factors That Determine the Right German Mortgage Lender\n  \u003C\u002Fa>\n\u003C\u002Fli>\n    \u003C\u002Ful>\n  \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cp>With hundreds of customers already financed in Germany, Hypofriend is one of the leading mortgage brokers in Germany. You can see hundreds of 5-star reviews \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Fsearch?hl=en-DE&gl=de&q=Hypofriend+%7C+Online+Mortgage+Advisor+%7C+Immobilienfinanzierung+Online,+Torstra%C3%9Fe+92,+10119+Berlin&ludocid=8318586069145602647&lsig=AB86z5Wvf60lfQAnyuQEmmTSUanO#lrd=0x47a84ef6b862a169:0x73718df4c4efca57,1\">here\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here’s why we’re different from your typical German mortgage broker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"h-is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house-in-germany\">Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Germany?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>As your very first step, you will want to consider whether it makes sense to buy or whether it is better to just rent.  Mortgage interest rates in Germany are currently stable, at a rate around 3.5-4% (see the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fmortgage-rates-germany\">current interest rates in Germany here\u003C\u002Fa>). But you always want to check all the numbers. For example: transaction costs are very high in Germany, so you will want to check how long it takes before you make up these costs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hypofriend has a simple tool that calculates to check whether renting or buying makes sense for you and how long you need to own the property for it to break even for you. The tool shows you how your financial wealth and cash flow changes over time, depending on whether you own a home or not: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Frent-or-buy-in-germany.ia\">Decide between buying or renting.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"h-can-you-afford-a-german-mortgage\">Can you Afford a German Mortgage?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>What mortgage can you afford in Germany? Before you start your property search, you will want to answer this question and understand how much of a mortgage you want to get. To get started, you can use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fgerman-mortgage-calculator\">Hypofriend’s affordability mortgage calculator\u003C\u002Fa>. In Germany, as most countries, the two key factors for your mortgage affordability are your disposable net income and your savings:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Your disposable income is calculated by taking your monthly net income and deducting all recurring fixed costs, like insurance, rent etc. For average incomes, a general rule of thumb is that your mortgage monthly payments cannot exceed 40% of your net income. For higher incomes the ratio maybe somewhat higher, for lower incomes somewhat smaller. For self-employed it will be lower as many banks tend to assume high insurance costs, and hence banks often require a minimum net monthly income of about 2,000 Euros.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>Your total savings are relevant because this is what you will use as a down payment towards your mortgage. You must ensure that you at least cover all purchase fees (real estate commission + property tax + notary fees). This can be as little as 5% and as high as 15% depending on where you buy the property and who you buy it from. You can find an overview of the purchase fees in Germany \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002FKaufnebenkosten.fhd\">here\u003C\u002Fa>. Often times, newly built projects are bought directly from the project developer, hence saving you up to 3,57% in real estate commission. Therefore if you do not have much savings compared to your income you will want to consider purchasing a new home or another one with low or zero real estate commissions. If you don’t have savings, you may still be eligible or you can see how to afford more.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n            \u003Cwidget type=\"callToActionRich\" headline=\"See what you can afford\" background-color=\"#F7F7F7\" main-cta-label=\"See what I can afford\" main-cta-link=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fcriteria\u002Fstart\" description=\"<p>Calculate what you can afford and book a free appointment for your mortgage with just a few clicks <\u002Fp>\" :pictures='[{\"url\":\"\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F4fM1kNSRDAGXcEwuLLCTN3\u002Fbb759bee2f34818b8fb470c81193cfaf\u002FRent-Or-Buy-800x534.jpg\",\"title\":\"rent or buy 800x534\",\"description\":null}]'>\u003C\u002Fwidget>\n           \n\u003Ch2 id=\"h-how-to-qualify-for-a-german-mortgage\">\n\u003Cbr>How to Qualify for a German Mortgage?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>To be able to qualify for a German mortgage you will have to satisfy all of the lending criteria from the mortgage lenders. Unfortunately, each lender has its own set of criteria which makes qualification a difficult process. The main lenders in Germany are ING, Sparkasse, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>General guidelines to qualify for a mortgage include being able to provide the following:\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ctable>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cp>Requirements for employees\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003Cth>\u003Cp>Requirements for self-employed & freelancers\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>Signed self-disclosure from Hypofriend\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>Your two most recent tax declarations “Einkommensteuererklärung”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>Three most recent payslips from a German employer\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>Your two most recent tax returns “Einkommenssteuerbescheid”\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>A proof of equity of funds to cover the purchase fees\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>Your profit & loss account for 2018 (“BWA: Betriebswirtschaftliche Auswertung”)\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>A signed mortgage proposal from Hypofriend\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>\u003Cp>Your balance sheets incl. profit-and-loss calculation (“Gewinn-Verlust-Rechnung”)\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp>You can \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fcriteria\u002Fstart\">sign up to Hypofriend\u003C\u002Fa> to create your digital self-disclosure form and upload your documents into our secure document upload section.\u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>After finding a home, finding the right mortgage product is surely the most difficult. Fortunately, Hypofriend can help you here too with concrete advice. Our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fcriteria\u002Fstart\">proprietary optimal mortgage recommendation engine\u003C\u002Fa> will ask you a number of simple questions and will see where you qualify and recommend which mortgage product is best for you.\u003Cbr>The three most important questions for your German Mortgage are:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>How long should I fix the interest rate?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>How quickly should I pay off my mortgage?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cp>How much should I initially pay down?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\n            \u003Cwidget type=\"callToActionRich\" headline=\"See what you can afford\" background-color=\"#F7F7F7\" main-cta-label=\"See what I can afford\" main-cta-link=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fcriteria\u002Fstart\" description=\"<p>Calculate what you can afford and book a free appointment for your mortgage with just a few clicks <\u002Fp>\" :pictures='[{\"url\":\"\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F4fM1kNSRDAGXcEwuLLCTN3\u002Fbb759bee2f34818b8fb470c81193cfaf\u002FRent-Or-Buy-800x534.jpg\",\"title\":\"rent or buy 800x534\",\"description\":null}]'>\u003C\u002Fwidget>\n           \n\u003Ch2 id=\"h-how-to-choose-the-right-german-mortgage\">How to Choose the Right German Mortgage?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>There are several factors that play a key role in determining what is the right product for you and to understand how mortgages work in Germany. These include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Likely Departure\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Your expected stay plays a critical role in determining the length of your fixed interest period. Lock in too short and you may face a high loan balance with rising interest rates. Leave earlier than expected and you may have to pay the bank the lost interest payments back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Income and Income Growth\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Understanding your income and how much your income might grow is key to understanding your repayment capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Age\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Your age and especially your retirement age are relevant, as this will have an impact on your disposable income in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Willingness to Rent\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>If you are willing to rent your property if you leave unexpectedly early, there is a higher security for you to take on more risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Investment Alternatives\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>If your alternative investments yield a high return for you, there is no point in repaying your mortgage quickly.\u003Cbr>To understand how our engine calculates your optimal mortgage you can read the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Finside-hypofriend-optimizer.fws\">FAQ\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003Cbr>Getting the mortgage decision wrong can be very costly — it can easily cost you a quarter of your home over a 30 year period. For example, paying off too quickly in a low interest rate environment, or too slowly when your income growth is modest and you cannot afford the risk of an interest jump when you refinance. These are complex problems that require advanced calculations and interest prediction models to guide you.\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To find an indication of the right mortgage for your situation click on \"See my options\" below, it will take you through a set of basic questions and at the end, you’ll get an initial mortgage recommendation and offer personalized to your situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n            \u003Cwidget type=\"callToActionRich\" headline=\"Calculate your optimal mortgage\" background-color=\"#F7F7F7\" main-cta-label=\"See my options\" main-cta-link=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fcriteria\u002Fstart\" description=\"<p>Calculate how much you can afford and get a free online mortgage recommendation in only a few clicks.<\u002Fp>\" :pictures='[{\"url\":\"\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002FKA6i7xcAgdlHRNACbwETv\u002F92bfc6958d4b342860c06865844af08a\u002Ftoa-heftiba-9vNFtkm-Pus-unsplash.jpg\",\"title\":\"spaarplan-hero\",\"description\":\"Hero image for Spaarplan LP\"}]'>\u003C\u002Fwidget>\n           \n\u003Ch2 id=\"h-can-foreigners-get-a-mortgage-in-germany\">Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in Germany?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Another important point is your current residency status. The good news and short answer to this question is: It is possible to get approved for a German mortgage as a non-EU citizen living in Germany with a temporary residence permit. But you will encounter several limiting factors that have an impact on your maximum loan amount. The number of banks you can qualify will also be limited. Hypofriend advisors support on this topic constantly. Learn more in our detailed blog article \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fmortgage-germany-bluecard.afb\">Can I get a mortgage with a temporary residence permit?\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cb>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"h-8-factors-that-determine-the-right-german-mortgage-lender\">8 Factors That Determine the Right German Mortgage Lender\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>After you have found the right mortgage product — we will help you find the mortgage lender that offers this product at the lowest price. Hypofriend is integrated with every major mortgage lender which includes all major banks as well as smaller, regional Sparkassen, which amounts to over 750 partner banks in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are a number of different features that we track in order to fine-tune your search and match you with the best lender:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Regional Pricing Discounts\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Some lenders will offer regional discounts of 20 basis points, as a German mortgage broker we are notified and can match you to the right lender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Property Valuation\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Some lenders may offer a higher property valuation. A higher property value will imply a more favourable Loan-To-Value (LTV) and in turn a better interest rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Commitment Fee Free Period\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Commitment fee free periods are important for buyers who are looking to buy new properties, some lenders offer this feature at more favourable terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Fixed Interest Period\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Not all lenders are competitive across all products, so it makes sense to find the lender who is most competitive for your given fixed interest period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Flexibility of Repayment\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>If repayment flexibility is something you want to build into your mortgage, some lenders offer this at more favourable terms while others may charge you excessively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Prepayment Penalties\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Cancelling or selling your property before your mortgage contract ends will result in prepayment penalties, if this is a possible outcome, we will match you with a lender with more favourable terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Modernization Costs\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>If you want to add the modernization costs into the mortgage, it makes sense to find the lender that regards this as an investment into the property, as this will improve the LTV and in turn will give you a favorable rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>\n\u003Cbr>Speed and\u002For Specific Lending Criteria\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>The complexity of the process and the vast amount of individual requirements per bank make it essential that we pair you with the lender that is quick when there is pressure from the seller and time is of importance.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"nodeType":17,"data":18,"content":19},"document",{},[20,42,49,57,76,95,102,121,157,163,201,208,215,222,344,373,406,425,432,439,447,454,461,468,475,482,489,496,503,522,529,558,565,586,593,600,607,614,621,628,635,642,649,656,663,670,677,684,691,698,705,712],{"nodeType":21,"data":22,"content":23},"paragraph",{},[24,29,38],{"nodeType":25,"value":26,"marks":27,"data":28},"text","With hundreds of customers already financed in Germany, Hypofriend is one of the leading mortgage brokers in Germany. You can see hundreds of 5-star reviews ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":31,"content":33},"hyperlink",{"uri":32},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.google.com\u002Fsearch?hl=en-DE&gl=de&q=Hypofriend+%7C+Online+Mortgage+Advisor+%7C+Immobilienfinanzierung+Online,+Torstra%C3%9Fe+92,+10119+Berlin&ludocid=8318586069145602647&lsig=AB86z5Wvf60lfQAnyuQEmmTSUanO#lrd=0x47a84ef6b862a169:0x73718df4c4efca57,1",[34],{"nodeType":25,"value":35,"marks":36,"data":37},"here",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":39,"marks":40,"data":41},".",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":43,"content":44},{},[45],{"nodeType":25,"value":46,"marks":47,"data":48},"Here’s why we’re different from your typical German mortgage broker.",[],{},{"nodeType":50,"data":51,"content":52},"heading-2",{},[53],{"nodeType":25,"value":54,"marks":55,"data":56},"Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House in Germany?",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":58,"content":59},{},[60,64,72],{"nodeType":25,"value":61,"marks":62,"data":63},"As your very first step, you will want to consider whether it makes sense to buy or whether it is better to just rent.  Mortgage interest rates in Germany are currently stable, at a rate around 3.5-4% (see the ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":65,"content":67},{"uri":66},"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fmortgage-rates-germany",[68],{"nodeType":25,"value":69,"marks":70,"data":71},"current interest rates in Germany here",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":73,"marks":74,"data":75},"). But you always want to check all the numbers. For example: transaction costs are very high in Germany, so you will want to check how long it takes before you make up these costs.",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":77,"content":78},{},[79,83,91],{"nodeType":25,"value":80,"marks":81,"data":82},"Hypofriend has a simple tool that calculates to check whether renting or buying makes sense for you and how long you need to own the property for it to break even for you. The tool shows you how your financial wealth and cash flow changes over time, depending on whether you own a home or not: ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":84,"content":86},{"uri":85},"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Frent-or-buy-in-germany.ia",[87],{"nodeType":25,"value":88,"marks":89,"data":90},"Decide between buying or renting.",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":92,"marks":93,"data":94},"",[],{},{"nodeType":50,"data":96,"content":97},{},[98],{"nodeType":25,"value":99,"marks":100,"data":101},"Can you Afford a German Mortgage?",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":103,"content":104},{},[105,109,117],{"nodeType":25,"value":106,"marks":107,"data":108},"What mortgage can you afford in Germany? Before you start your property search, you will want to answer this question and understand how much of a mortgage you want to get. To get started, you can use ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":110,"content":112},{"uri":111},"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fgerman-mortgage-calculator",[113],{"nodeType":25,"value":114,"marks":115,"data":116},"Hypofriend’s affordability mortgage calculator",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":118,"marks":119,"data":120},". In Germany, as most countries, the two key factors for your mortgage affordability are your disposable net income and your savings:\n",[],{},{"nodeType":122,"data":123,"content":124},"unordered-list",{},[125,136],{"nodeType":126,"data":127,"content":128},"list-item",{},[129],{"nodeType":21,"data":130,"content":131},{},[132],{"nodeType":25,"value":133,"marks":134,"data":135},"Your disposable income is calculated by taking your monthly net income and deducting all recurring fixed costs, like insurance, rent etc. For average incomes, a general rule of thumb is that your mortgage monthly payments cannot exceed 40% of your net income. For higher incomes the ratio maybe somewhat higher, for lower incomes somewhat smaller. For self-employed it will be lower as many banks tend to assume high insurance costs, and hence banks often require a minimum net monthly income of about 2,000 Euros.",[],{},{"nodeType":126,"data":137,"content":138},{},[139],{"nodeType":21,"data":140,"content":141},{},[142,146,153],{"nodeType":25,"value":143,"marks":144,"data":145},"Your total savings are relevant because this is what you will use as a down payment towards your mortgage. You must ensure that you at least cover all purchase fees (real estate commission + property tax + notary fees). This can be as little as 5% and as high as 15% depending on where you buy the property and who you buy it from. You can find an overview of the purchase fees in Germany ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":147,"content":149},{"uri":148},"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002FKaufnebenkosten.fhd",[150],{"nodeType":25,"value":35,"marks":151,"data":152},[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":154,"marks":155,"data":156},". Often times, newly built projects are bought directly from the project developer, hence saving you up to 3,57% in real estate commission. Therefore if you do not have much savings compared to your income you will want to consider purchasing a new home or another one with low or zero real estate commissions. If you don’t have savings, you may still be eligible or you can see how to afford more.",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":158,"content":159},{},[160],{"nodeType":25,"value":92,"marks":161,"data":162},[],{},{"nodeType":164,"data":165,"content":171,"entry":172},"embedded-entry-block",{"target":166},{"sys":167},{"id":168,"type":169,"linkType":170},"4ywa8c8uQoTkjpWpya51Yi","Link","Entry",[],{"title":173,"type":174,"headline":175,"description":176,"backgroundColor":186,"mainCtaLabel":187,"mainCtaLink":188,"pictures":189,"imageAlignment":198,"showBankLogos":199,"contentType":200},"Blog: Property Prices 2025 \u002F 3: Check what you can afford (EN)","callToActionRich","See what you can afford",{"nodeType":17,"data":177,"content":178},{},[179],{"nodeType":21,"data":180,"content":181},{},[182],{"nodeType":25,"value":183,"marks":184,"data":185},"Calculate what you can afford and book a free appointment for your mortgage with just a few clicks ",[],{},"#F7F7F7","See what I can afford","https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fcriteria\u002Fstart",[190],{"fileName":191,"details":192,"url":197},"Rent-Or-Buy-800x534.jpg",{"size":193,"image":194},1035764,{"width":195,"height":196},1600,1068,"\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F4fM1kNSRDAGXcEwuLLCTN3\u002Fbb759bee2f34818b8fb470c81193cfaf\u002FRent-Or-Buy-800x534.jpg","LEFT",false,"widget",{"nodeType":50,"data":202,"content":203},{},[204],{"nodeType":25,"value":205,"marks":206,"data":207},"\nHow to Qualify for a German Mortgage?",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":209,"content":210},{},[211],{"nodeType":25,"value":212,"marks":213,"data":214},"To be able to qualify for a German mortgage you will have to satisfy all of the lending criteria from the mortgage lenders. Unfortunately, each lender has its own set of criteria which makes qualification a difficult process. The main lenders in Germany are ING, Sparkasse, Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank.",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":216,"content":217},{},[218],{"nodeType":25,"value":219,"marks":220,"data":221},"General guidelines to qualify for a mortgage include being able to provide the following:\n",[],{},{"nodeType":223,"data":224,"content":225},"table",{},[226,251,275,298,321],{"nodeType":227,"data":228,"content":229},"table-row",{},[230,241],{"nodeType":231,"data":232,"content":233},"table-header-cell",{},[234],{"nodeType":21,"data":235,"content":236},{},[237],{"nodeType":25,"value":238,"marks":239,"data":240},"Requirements for employees",[],{},{"nodeType":231,"data":242,"content":243},{},[244],{"nodeType":21,"data":245,"content":246},{},[247],{"nodeType":25,"value":248,"marks":249,"data":250},"Requirements for self-employed & freelancers",[],{},{"nodeType":227,"data":252,"content":253},{},[254,265],{"nodeType":255,"data":256,"content":257},"table-cell",{},[258],{"nodeType":21,"data":259,"content":260},{},[261],{"nodeType":25,"value":262,"marks":263,"data":264},"Signed self-disclosure from Hypofriend",[],{},{"nodeType":255,"data":266,"content":267},{},[268],{"nodeType":21,"data":269,"content":270},{},[271],{"nodeType":25,"value":272,"marks":273,"data":274},"Your two most recent tax declarations “Einkommensteuererklärung”",[],{},{"nodeType":227,"data":276,"content":277},{},[278,288],{"nodeType":255,"data":279,"content":280},{},[281],{"nodeType":21,"data":282,"content":283},{},[284],{"nodeType":25,"value":285,"marks":286,"data":287},"Three most recent payslips from a German employer",[],{},{"nodeType":255,"data":289,"content":290},{},[291],{"nodeType":21,"data":292,"content":293},{},[294],{"nodeType":25,"value":295,"marks":296,"data":297},"Your two most recent tax returns “Einkommenssteuerbescheid”",[],{},{"nodeType":227,"data":299,"content":300},{},[301,311],{"nodeType":255,"data":302,"content":303},{},[304],{"nodeType":21,"data":305,"content":306},{},[307],{"nodeType":25,"value":308,"marks":309,"data":310},"A proof of equity of funds to cover the purchase fees",[],{},{"nodeType":255,"data":312,"content":313},{},[314],{"nodeType":21,"data":315,"content":316},{},[317],{"nodeType":25,"value":318,"marks":319,"data":320},"Your profit & loss account for 2018 (“BWA: Betriebswirtschaftliche Auswertung”)",[],{},{"nodeType":227,"data":322,"content":323},{},[324,334],{"nodeType":255,"data":325,"content":326},{},[327],{"nodeType":21,"data":328,"content":329},{},[330],{"nodeType":25,"value":331,"marks":332,"data":333},"A signed mortgage proposal from Hypofriend",[],{},{"nodeType":255,"data":335,"content":336},{},[337],{"nodeType":21,"data":338,"content":339},{},[340],{"nodeType":25,"value":341,"marks":342,"data":343},"Your balance sheets incl. profit-and-loss calculation (“Gewinn-Verlust-Rechnung”)",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":345,"content":346},{},[347,351,358,362,369],{"nodeType":25,"value":348,"marks":349,"data":350},"You can ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":352,"content":353},{"uri":188},[354],{"nodeType":25,"value":355,"marks":356,"data":357},"sign up to Hypofriend",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":359,"marks":360,"data":361}," to create your digital self-disclosure form and upload your documents into our secure document upload section.\n\nAfter finding a home, finding the right mortgage product is surely the most difficult. Fortunately, Hypofriend can help you here too with concrete advice. Our ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":363,"content":364},{"uri":188},[365],{"nodeType":25,"value":366,"marks":367,"data":368},"proprietary optimal mortgage recommendation engine",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":370,"marks":371,"data":372}," will ask you a number of simple questions and will see where you qualify and recommend which mortgage product is best for you.\nThe three most important questions for your German Mortgage are:",[],{},{"nodeType":122,"data":374,"content":375},{},[376,386,396],{"nodeType":126,"data":377,"content":378},{},[379],{"nodeType":21,"data":380,"content":381},{},[382],{"nodeType":25,"value":383,"marks":384,"data":385},"How long should I fix the interest rate?",[],{},{"nodeType":126,"data":387,"content":388},{},[389],{"nodeType":21,"data":390,"content":391},{},[392],{"nodeType":25,"value":393,"marks":394,"data":395},"How quickly should I pay off my mortgage?",[],{},{"nodeType":126,"data":397,"content":398},{},[399],{"nodeType":21,"data":400,"content":401},{},[402],{"nodeType":25,"value":403,"marks":404,"data":405},"How much should I initially pay down?",[],{},{"nodeType":164,"data":407,"content":410,"entry":411},{"target":408},{"sys":409},{"id":168,"type":169,"linkType":170},[],{"title":173,"type":174,"headline":175,"description":412,"backgroundColor":186,"mainCtaLabel":187,"mainCtaLink":188,"pictures":421,"imageAlignment":198,"showBankLogos":199,"contentType":200},{"nodeType":17,"data":413,"content":414},{},[415],{"nodeType":21,"data":416,"content":417},{},[418],{"nodeType":25,"value":183,"marks":419,"data":420},[],{},[422],{"fileName":191,"details":423,"url":197},{"size":193,"image":424},{"width":195,"height":196},{"nodeType":50,"data":426,"content":427},{},[428],{"nodeType":25,"value":429,"marks":430,"data":431},"How to Choose the Right German Mortgage?",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":433,"content":434},{},[435],{"nodeType":25,"value":436,"marks":437,"data":438},"There are several factors that play a key role in determining what is the right product for you and to understand how mortgages work in Germany. These include:",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":441,"content":442},"heading-3",{},[443],{"nodeType":25,"value":444,"marks":445,"data":446},"Likely Departure",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":448,"content":449},{},[450],{"nodeType":25,"value":451,"marks":452,"data":453},"Your expected stay plays a critical role in determining the length of your fixed interest period. Lock in too short and you may face a high loan balance with rising interest rates. Leave earlier than expected and you may have to pay the bank the lost interest payments back.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":455,"content":456},{},[457],{"nodeType":25,"value":458,"marks":459,"data":460},"\nIncome and Income Growth",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":462,"content":463},{},[464],{"nodeType":25,"value":465,"marks":466,"data":467},"Understanding your income and how much your income might grow is key to understanding your repayment capacity.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":469,"content":470},{},[471],{"nodeType":25,"value":472,"marks":473,"data":474},"\nAge",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":476,"content":477},{},[478],{"nodeType":25,"value":479,"marks":480,"data":481},"Your age and especially your retirement age are relevant, as this will have an impact on your disposable income in the future.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":483,"content":484},{},[485],{"nodeType":25,"value":486,"marks":487,"data":488},"\nWillingness to Rent",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":490,"content":491},{},[492],{"nodeType":25,"value":493,"marks":494,"data":495},"If you are willing to rent your property if you leave unexpectedly early, there is a higher security for you to take on more risk.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":497,"content":498},{},[499],{"nodeType":25,"value":500,"marks":501,"data":502},"\nInvestment Alternatives",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":504,"content":505},{},[506,510,518],{"nodeType":25,"value":507,"marks":508,"data":509},"If your alternative investments yield a high return for you, there is no point in repaying your mortgage quickly.\nTo understand how our engine calculates your optimal mortgage you can read the ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":511,"content":513},{"uri":512},"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Finside-hypofriend-optimizer.fws",[514],{"nodeType":25,"value":515,"marks":516,"data":517},"FAQ",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":519,"marks":520,"data":521},".\nGetting the mortgage decision wrong can be very costly — it can easily cost you a quarter of your home over a 30 year period. For example, paying off too quickly in a low interest rate environment, or too slowly when your income growth is modest and you cannot afford the risk of an interest jump when you refinance. These are complex problems that require advanced calculations and interest prediction models to guide you.\n",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":523,"content":524},{},[525],{"nodeType":25,"value":526,"marks":527,"data":528},"To find an indication of the right mortgage for your situation click on \"See my options\" below, it will take you through a set of basic questions and at the end, you’ll get an initial mortgage recommendation and offer personalized to your situation.",[],{},{"nodeType":164,"data":530,"content":534,"entry":535},{"target":531},{"sys":532},{"id":533,"type":169,"linkType":170},"5BOk1TyXTVOktx7RGSZJ8R",[],{"title":536,"type":174,"headline":537,"description":538,"backgroundColor":186,"mainCtaLabel":548,"mainCtaLink":188,"pictures":549,"imageAlignment":198,"showBankLogos":199,"contentType":200},"Blog: Property Prices 2025 \u002F 1: Find a mortgage that suits your situation (EN)","Calculate your optimal mortgage",{"data":539,"content":540,"nodeType":17},{},[541],{"data":542,"content":543,"nodeType":21},{},[544],{"data":545,"marks":546,"value":547,"nodeType":25},{},[],"Calculate how much you can afford and get a free online mortgage recommendation in only a few clicks.","See my options",[550],{"fileName":551,"details":552,"url":557},"toa-heftiba-9vNFtkm-Pus-unsplash.jpg",{"size":553,"image":554},2531925,{"width":555,"height":556},3831,2554,"\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002FKA6i7xcAgdlHRNACbwETv\u002F92bfc6958d4b342860c06865844af08a\u002Ftoa-heftiba-9vNFtkm-Pus-unsplash.jpg",{"nodeType":50,"data":559,"content":560},{},[561],{"nodeType":25,"value":562,"marks":563,"data":564},"Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in Germany?",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":566,"content":567},{},[568,572,580],{"nodeType":25,"value":569,"marks":570,"data":571},"Another important point is your current residency status. The good news and short answer to this question is: It is possible to get approved for a German mortgage as a non-EU citizen living in Germany with a temporary residence permit. But you will encounter several limiting factors that have an impact on your maximum loan amount. The number of banks you can qualify will also be limited. Hypofriend advisors support on this topic constantly. Learn more in our detailed blog article ",[],{},{"nodeType":30,"data":573,"content":575},{"uri":574},"https:\u002F\u002Fhypofriend.de\u002Fen\u002Fmortgage-germany-bluecard.afb",[576],{"nodeType":25,"value":577,"marks":578,"data":579},"Can I get a mortgage with a temporary residence permit?",[],{},{"nodeType":25,"value":581,"marks":582,"data":585},"\n",[583],{"type":584},"bold",{},{"nodeType":50,"data":587,"content":588},{},[589],{"nodeType":25,"value":590,"marks":591,"data":592},"8 Factors That Determine the Right German Mortgage Lender",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":594,"content":595},{},[596],{"nodeType":25,"value":597,"marks":598,"data":599},"After you have found the right mortgage product — we will help you find the mortgage lender that offers this product at the lowest price. Hypofriend is integrated with every major mortgage lender which includes all major banks as well as smaller, regional Sparkassen, which amounts to over 750 partner banks in total.",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":601,"content":602},{},[603],{"nodeType":25,"value":604,"marks":605,"data":606},"There are a number of different features that we track in order to fine-tune your search and match you with the best lender:",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":608,"content":609},{},[610],{"nodeType":25,"value":611,"marks":612,"data":613},"\nRegional Pricing Discounts",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":615,"content":616},{},[617],{"nodeType":25,"value":618,"marks":619,"data":620},"Some lenders will offer regional discounts of 20 basis points, as a German mortgage broker we are notified and can match you to the right lender.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":622,"content":623},{},[624],{"nodeType":25,"value":625,"marks":626,"data":627},"\nProperty Valuation",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":629,"content":630},{},[631],{"nodeType":25,"value":632,"marks":633,"data":634},"Some lenders may offer a higher property valuation. A higher property value will imply a more favourable Loan-To-Value (LTV) and in turn a better interest rate.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":636,"content":637},{},[638],{"nodeType":25,"value":639,"marks":640,"data":641},"\nCommitment Fee Free Period",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":643,"content":644},{},[645],{"nodeType":25,"value":646,"marks":647,"data":648},"Commitment fee free periods are important for buyers who are looking to buy new properties, some lenders offer this feature at more favourable terms.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":650,"content":651},{},[652],{"nodeType":25,"value":653,"marks":654,"data":655},"\nFixed Interest Period",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":657,"content":658},{},[659],{"nodeType":25,"value":660,"marks":661,"data":662},"Not all lenders are competitive across all products, so it makes sense to find the lender who is most competitive for your given fixed interest period.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":664,"content":665},{},[666],{"nodeType":25,"value":667,"marks":668,"data":669},"\nFlexibility of Repayment",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":671,"content":672},{},[673],{"nodeType":25,"value":674,"marks":675,"data":676},"If repayment flexibility is something you want to build into your mortgage, some lenders offer this at more favourable terms while others may charge you excessively.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":678,"content":679},{},[680],{"nodeType":25,"value":681,"marks":682,"data":683},"\nPrepayment Penalties",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":685,"content":686},{},[687],{"nodeType":25,"value":688,"marks":689,"data":690},"Cancelling or selling your property before your mortgage contract ends will result in prepayment penalties, if this is a possible outcome, we will match you with a lender with more favourable terms.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":692,"content":693},{},[694],{"nodeType":25,"value":695,"marks":696,"data":697},"\nModernization Costs",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":699,"content":700},{},[701],{"nodeType":25,"value":702,"marks":703,"data":704},"If you want to add the modernization costs into the mortgage, it makes sense to find the lender that regards this as an investment into the property, as this will improve the LTV and in turn will give you a favorable rate.",[],{},{"nodeType":440,"data":706,"content":707},{},[708],{"nodeType":25,"value":709,"marks":710,"data":711},"\nSpeed and\u002For Specific Lending Criteria",[],{},{"nodeType":21,"data":713,"content":714},{},[715],{"nodeType":25,"value":716,"marks":717,"data":718},"The complexity of the process and the vast amount of individual requirements per bank make it essential that we pair you with the lender that is quick when there is pressure from the seller and time is of importance.",[],{},1,"Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:24:55 +0000","Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:09:58 +0000","Get a Mortgage in Germany: How to Finance your Home Purchase","Read our guide to getting a mortgage in Germany. Hypofriend is a German mortgage broker that has built a helpful mortgage calculator to help customers get their optimal mortgage.",null,"en","Buying a property in Germany remains a great opportunity, but as a first-time buyer, you may face a number of unknowns. The process can be nerve-wracking.",[728,730,732,735,737,739],{"key":729,"value":54},"#h-is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house-in-germany",{"key":731,"value":99},"#h-can-you-afford-a-german-mortgage",{"key":733,"value":734},"#h-how-to-qualify-for-a-german-mortgage","How to Qualify for a German Mortgage?",{"key":736,"value":429},"#h-how-to-choose-the-right-german-mortgage",{"key":738,"value":562},"#h-can-foreigners-get-a-mortgage-in-germany",{"key":740,"value":590},"#h-8-factors-that-determine-the-right-german-mortgage-lender",[742,752,760],{"slug":743,"title":744,"listPicture":745,"listPictureMobile":746,"listPictureWebp":747,"listPictureMobileWebp":748,"preview":749,"category":9,"categoryTitle":750,"categoryCode":751},"current-interest-rates-germany-2026","What Are the Current Mortgage Interest Rates in Germany and How Do They Evolve? ","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F3e8IaEw23YZk7idFRXhun9\u002Fcd0500f42f6c93c574782835d8149a58\u002Flist_image_blog___800_x_511.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F3Q0MFmLnVKgaGVS57d9qW5\u002F0622aa644497735c07f4a715220013e5\u002Fmobile_list_image_blog___380_x_243.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F1iTKKUZXycg5MCfXdX8By0\u002Fe2f01a1212a42829b251db3e8024cafb\u002Flist-image-blog-_-800-x-511__1_.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F2ONJpyTNlNqYkPSQ7VvnIO\u002Fc94eab2aa29c38a41027290e53359ffe\u002Fmobile-list-image-blog-_-380-x-243__1_.webp","What are mortgage rates in Germany right now? See our real-time chart, compare 5 to 20-year fixed rates and get a free personalised recommendation in minutes.","Mortgage Fundamentals","fb",{"slug":753,"title":754,"listPicture":755,"listPictureMobile":756,"listPictureWebp":757,"listPictureMobileWebp":758,"preview":759,"category":9,"categoryTitle":750,"categoryCode":751},"financing-certificate-one-step-ahead-buying-property","Financing Certificate: Always one step ahead","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F4ctwKxlymmUNRiOKAgFzAf\u002F61c1407e17cc12def8bdd38874c558a8\u002Ffinancing-certificate-800x511.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F6dQViXzjm6wBNgWh1FuOCv\u002Ff160960e6a1947e55c1d88904c34172e\u002Ffinancing-certificate-380x243.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F7rAIx65nr3eACXTXOnUzRr\u002F6dfd4a8a10d3c688cba95769c66b5b1b\u002Ffinancing-certificate-800x511.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F5NoDrgyhvrata2KBMOHJse\u002F07d8f520a281e417e04c5c05ab028918\u002Ffinancing-certificate-380x243.webp","With a financing certificate, you stand out from other prospective buyers. It serves as a confirmation of your financing potential to brokers.",{"slug":761,"title":762,"listPicture":763,"listPictureMobile":764,"listPictureWebp":765,"listPictureMobileWebp":766,"preview":767,"category":9,"categoryTitle":750,"categoryCode":751},"sondertilgung-a-popular-but-overrated-option-for-your-german-mortgage","Sondertilgung: A popular but overrated option","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F5xnqPkerGmZzqAelJp4Lyp\u002F953f32263af6dfcb044ea362464e2e6d\u002Fsondertillgung-800x511.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F6raj6xn34Bw10qb1L3VRsb\u002F4b3fbc844a985d76c6c1d1e94bfd283c\u002Fsondertillgung-380x243.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F5vd1ArTe5ICGM4ngPHDK4V\u002Fa5cb6e007c5fbd51d62fb407c266f625\u002Fsondertillgung-800x511.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fimages.ctfassets.net\u002Fshj4zexxz7od\u002F64bwYQzJUFIuvDqyx0VK5W\u002F4a0e1f087765df142571b7cbd6dd07ad\u002Fsondertillgung-380x243.webp","Who doesn't like the idea of being able to repay extra on their mortgage? That is what “Sondertilgung” is. But is it a good idea?",1787734832391]