The tinglysningsafgift (land registration fee) is a major cost item in a home purchase that many overlook in their budget planning. This guide gives you everything you need to know about the land registration fee — from calculation and ways to save, to the legal aspects of both the skøde (the deed) and the mortgage.
What is the land registration fee? The land registration fee is the state fee you pay for the public registration of rights over real property. There are two main types of land registration fee in a property transaction:
- Registration fee on the deed (skøde) — documents your ownership of the property
- Registration fee on the mortgage deed (pantebrev) — registers the loans financing the purchase
Once the deed is registered, all property rights are legally secured for you, and the property is officially transferred from the seller to you as the buyer.
Calculate your land registration fee easily and precisely with our professional calculator
Result
Note: For precise advice on the land registration fee, you should contact a professional adviser or the Land Registration Court (Tinglysningsretten).
Calculating the registration fee on the deed The registration fee on the deed consists of:
- Fixed base amount: 1,850 kr.
- Variable value fee: 0.6% of the purchase price
- The total amount is rounded up to the nearest 100 kr.
Calculation example: When buying a home for 4,000,000 kr.:
- Fixed base amount: 1,850 kr.
- Variable value fee: 4,000,000 kr. × 0.6% = 24,000 kr.
- Total registration fee: 25,850 kr. (rounded up to 25,900 kr.)
Calculating the registration fee on the mortgage deed The registration fee on the mortgage deed includes:
- Fixed base amount: 1,825 kr.
- Variable fee: 1.45% of the loan amount (the principal)
- The total amount is rounded up to the nearest 100 kr.
Calculation example: For a mortgage credit loan of 3,000,000 kr.:
- Fixed base amount: 1,825 kr.
- Variable fee: 3,000,000 kr. × 1.45% = 43,500 kr.
- Total registration fee: 45,325 kr. (rounded up to 45,400 kr.)
Special types of land registration fee Family transactions In a family transfer, you only pay the registration fee on 85% of the purchase price, based on the most recent public property valuation with a 15% deduction. The fixed base amount of 1,850 kr. is always paid in full.
Divorce/separation
When transferring property in connection with a divorce, you only pay the fixed fee of 1,850 kr. and are exempt from the 0.6% value fee on the purchase price. This requires documentation in the form of a separation or divorce decree.
Bank loans and mortgage credit loans
For both bank loans and mortgage credit loans, the registration fee is 1.45% of the loan amount plus the base amount of 1,825 kr., rounded up to the nearest 100 kr.
How to save on the land registration fee Stamp duty refund (stempelrefusion) — the biggest savings opportunity Potential savings: up to several thousand kroner
If the seller has an existing loan on the property, you may be entitled to a stamp duty refund. This means you only pay the variable fee on the difference between your new loan and the seller's existing loan.
Savings example:
- Your new loan: 3,000,000 kr.
- Seller's existing loan: 1,800,000 kr.
- You only pay the variable fee on: 1,200,000 kr.
- Savings: 1,800,000 kr. × 1.45% = 26,100 kr.
Digital registration
Since 2009, land registration has been digital via tinglysning.dk, which has made the process more efficient. This can save time and administrative costs in the property transaction.
Who pays the land registration fee?
There are regional differences in practice regarding payment of the land registration fee:
- Jutland: Custom is that the registration fee is split equally between buyer and seller
- Zealand: Custom is that the buyer pays all costs for registering the deed
Important: Always specify in the purchase agreement who pays the land registration fee, to avoid misunderstandings.
Paying the land registration fee The land registration fee is paid when the deed or mortgage deed is submitted to the Land Registration Court. Payment can be made using various methods:
- Dankort
- Visa (max. 25,000 kr.)
- Mastercard
- MobilePay
- Apple Pay
The fee is only charged once the final registration has been completed. When buying a home, the land registration fee can often be financed through your mortgage credit loan or home loan.
Refund of the land registration fee
If you have overpaid the land registration fee, you can apply for a refund. This is particularly relevant if:
- Your property valuation from 2013-2020 is later reduced
- There was an error in the calculation of the fee
Applications for a refund are made via the document type "Afgiftsgodtgørelse" (fee refund) at tinglysning.dk.
Get professional help with land registration Registration of the deed is typically handled by a property lawyer or legal adviser. Using professional advice ensures that:
- The registration is done correctly and without errors
- You take advantage of all possible savings
- You get help navigating the legal aspects
Well done for taking the time to get to grips with this technical but crucial topic. With this knowledge, you're now better equipped to plan the finances of your home purchase and potentially save a significant amount on the land registration fee.
Fill in the contact form so we can talk about how we can help you with buying and financing your home.
