Buying or renting when arriving in Luxembourg?
Article updated in 2021
Renting your home is often a natural choice when relocating to a new country. However some specific elements should incentivise you to quickly become homeowner in Luxembourg, even if you only envisage living several years in Luxembourg! Here’s why!
First, the taxes related to home ownership are favourable in Luxembourg
A. Transaction costs are limited
Registration fees are reduced to €100 (Bëllegen Akt) for any purchase up to €285,714 for a single person or €571,428 for a couple (7% of the price of the property above this threshold). Notary fees are moreover relatively limited on the transfer of ownership.
B. Property tax is practically non-existent
In comparison to other neighbouring countries, the property tax is very low in Luxembourg. Being owner does therefore not generate a significant tax pressure that might justify remaining a tenant.
C. The capital gain is tax-exempt
Similarly to most countries, the potential capital gain realised on the sale of the primary residence is non-taxable. Whatever the amount might be.
D. Mortgage interests are tax-deductible
A couple can annually deduct up to €10,000 of mortgage interests from its taxable revenues (+ €2,000 € per child). The deductibility of the mortgage interests results in an attractive net mortgage cost in relation to the renting cost.
On this basis, buying your home is a highly relevant question as soon as you will stay two years or more in Luxembourg! To easily calculate the number of years as from which it is better to buy than to rent your home based on your personal situation, you can use our tool Buy or Rent.
Second, the Luxembourg property market presents significant growth potential and resilience to crises. Fundamentals are indeed solid.
A. A thriving economy in the centre of Europe
With Luxembourg's confirmed triple A rating, Luxembourg's economic development looks solid and its GDP forecasts outperform those of its neighbours
B. A steady increase of the population
With a forecasted 1.9% annual growth (source World Bank), the increase in population results in a surge in housing demand.
C. An insufficient number of new constructions
The annual deficit in new homes is estimated to reach 3,000 units based on the number of delivery of new dwellings (source STATEC).
D. A real estate market that demonstrated its resilience in case of crises
Property prices have been marginally impacted by the 2008 financial crisis (1% decrease in 2009 followed by an steady increase of +/- 5% since 2010).
The only issue when its come to buying is the need to know Luxembourg to be comfortable with the commune or the neighbourhood you want to live in! To help you find a place that suits you and your lifestyle, Nexvia created neighbourhood guides. You will also find all the financial tools and tax information to help you take an informed decision.
