Buying an apartment in Belgrade involves far more than just paying the seller. One of the main expenses is the 2.5% property transfer tax, which applies to all resale properties bought from private owners rather than investors. For instance, if the property is valued by the Tax Administration at €130,000, the buyer must pay €3,250, even if the purchase price is lower.
For newly built apartments, this tax is replaced by value-added tax (VAT), already included in the price—10% for apartments up to 80 m², and 20% for larger ones or business spaces.
Buyers must also account for notary fees of €250–600, land registry fees of up to 0.1% of the property value, and real estate agency commissions ranging from 2.4% to 3.6%.
Altogether, the additional costs for a €120,000 apartment can reach €6,000–7,000 once taxes, fees, and commissions are added. Experts warn that many buyers underestimate these obligations, so understanding all expenses in advance is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises during the purchase process.
