Düsseldorf Real Estate: Upmarket Flats and Villas on the Rhine

Pempelfort and Düsseltal are central, leafy districts of Gründerzeit apartment buildings close to parks and the Rhine promenade. Oberkassel, across the river, is one of the most expensive and sought-after addresses, with villas, quiet streets and views of the Altstadt skyline. Kaiserswerth in the north is a village-like riverside district with a medieval ruin and good schools, and Benrath in the south has a baroque palace and park. Flingern and Derendorf are more urban and creative, and the MedienHafen, the converted harbour, has landmark architecture by Frank Gehry along with offices and residences.

The city has Germany's largest Japanese community, concentrated around Immermannstraße, and a busy trade-fair calendar. Düsseldorf airport is among the country's largest, and the Ruhr, Cologne and the Dutch border are all within an hour. Rents and prices are high compared with the wider Rhine-Ruhr region, and the wide choice of international schools attracts expatriate families.

Most of the best-known addresses are in the Rhine-side districts and around the Königsallee, the luxury shopping boulevard with its canal and chestnut trees. The Altstadt, nicknamed the longest bar in the world, is lively at night and less attractive for long-term residents. For commuters, the S-Bahn and the Rheinbahn tram and metro network make most districts easy to reach without a car.

1. No nationality limits. Foreigners can buy property in Germany.
2. Prepare the numbers. North Rhine-Westphalia charges real estate transfer tax at 6.5%, one of the highest rates in Germany. Add notary and land register fees (around 1.5% to 2%) and any agent commission, usually split between buyer and seller. Verify the current rates.
3. Check the documents. For flats, review the energy certificate, owners' association minutes, reserve fund and the division declaration. For houses, ask about the heating system under the Building Energy Act.
4. Notary signing. The purchase contract is read out before a notary. The land register entry follows.
5. Ground leases. Some properties sit on heritable building rights (Erbbaurecht). Check the term and the ground rent.
6. Finance. German banks often ask for around 20% equity from non-residents. See our Germany mortgage guide.

The Germany buying guide explains each step.

Nearby, Cologne has a bigger, lower-priced market. Elsewhere, compare Frankfurt am Main, Nuremberg, Munich, Hamburg and Berlin. The national overview is at property for sale in Germany. You can also use the mortgage calculator.