See what a loan really costs and what your savings grow to.
Calculators for buying a home and building wealth in Germany, explained in plain English. German rules such as the Fixed-rate period German: Zinsbindung How long the interest rate is guaranteed, typically 5–20 years. After it ends, you have to refinance the remaining debt at whatever rates apply then. By law you can cancel any loan 10 years after payout with six months' notice, without a penalty. All terms in the glossary , the Real estate transfer tax German: Grunderwerbsteuer A one-off tax on buying property, between 3.5% and 6.5% of the price depending on the federal state. The tax office sends the bill after the purchase; you are only registered as owner once it is paid. Movable items such as a fitted kitchen can be listed separately and are not taxed. All terms in the glossary and the Flat tax on capital income German: Abgeltungsteuer A flat 25% tax on interest, dividends and investment gains, plus the solidarity surcharge and possibly church tax – 26.375% in total without church tax. German banks deduct it automatically. All terms in the glossary are built in, so the numbers match what your bank and the tax office will show you.
New to German finance words? Tilgung, Sondertilgung, Hausgeld … all explained in one place.Buying a home
Mortgage
Monthly rate, remaining debt after the fixed-rate period, full repayment plan and what special repayments save.
€350,000 at 3.6% with 2% repayment: €1,633 a month.
Purchase costs
Transfer tax by federal state, notary, land registry and broker – and how much you need to borrow.
A €450,000 flat in Berlin costs €52,065 on top.
Affordability
From your net income and savings to the maximum rate, loan and purchase price a bank may accept.
€5,500 net a month buys up to about €439,457.
Rent or buy?
Net worth of buying versus renting and investing the difference, year by year – with break-even point.
Buying for €450,000 vs renting for €1,400: renting ends €272,747 ahead after 30 years.
Compare loan offers
Put up to five offers side by side: rate, fixed period, fees – and what each costs if rates rise later.
Of three typical offers, “Bank A, 10 years” costs the least interest and fees overall.
Repay or invest?
Should spare money go into special repayments or an ETF? Compare net worth and the break-even return.
€300 extra a month: investing wins above 5.0% return.
Saving & investing
Savings plan
What a monthly savings plan grows to – after costs, German taxes and inflation, in today's money.
€500 a month for 25 years at 6%: €335,036 after tax.
Savings goal
How much to save each month, how long it takes, or which return you need to reach a target.
€250,000 in 20 years takes €572 a month.
Withdrawal plan
How long your savings last with monthly payouts – or how much you can take out for a number of years.
€500,000 paying out €2,000 a month lasts 23 years.