# Hesse

> Hesse is home to Frankfurt, Germany's financial capital and the seat of the European Central Bank.

Canonical: https://www.investbud.de/en/states/hessen
Last updated: 2026-10-28

About 6.3 million people lived in Hesse at the end of 2025. Its largest market is Frankfurt am Main, the seat of the European Central Bank. The state charges a property transfer tax of 6.0%. Other markets include Wiesbaden, Darmstadt and Kassel. You can see purchase prices, rents and gross yield for Hesse in the live figures at the top of this page.

- Transfer Tax: 6.0%
- Capital: Wiesbaden
- Population: 6,3 million
- Area: 21.115 km²
- Frankfurt is the seat of the European Central Bank and the Bundesbank
- About 6.3 million residents at the end of 2025
- Transfer tax of 6.0%
- ESA's ESOC mission control center in Darmstadt

## Real Estate Market

Hesse's property market is concentrated in the Rhine-Main region around Frankfurt. Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank, the Deutsche Bundesbank and the headquarters of major banks. Outside Frankfurt, the larger markets are Wiesbaden (the state capital), Darmstadt and Kassel.

- Darmstadt, south of Frankfurt, is home to TU Darmstadt and ESOC, the European Space Agency's mission control center

## Transfer Tax Details

Hesse charges a Grunderwerbsteuer of 6.0%. Nine states charge less and four charge 6.5%. On a purchase price of 400,000 euros, that is 24,000 euros in transfer tax. On top come notary and land registry fees of about 1 to 1.5% of the price and, where applicable, a broker's commission. Include all of these costs in your yield calculation.

## Investment Cities

Cities in Hesse range from Frankfurt am Main in the south to Kassel in northern Hesse.

- Frankfurt am Main: Seat of the European Central Bank and the Deutsche Bundesbank
- Wiesbaden: The state capital, on the Rhine opposite Mainz
- Darmstadt: A science location south of Frankfurt, with TU Darmstadt and ESA's ESOC mission control center
- Kassel: A northern Hesse city with a university

## Practical Tips

- Offenbach and Hanau are connected to Frankfurt by S-Bahn. Compare purchase prices and rents there with Frankfurt before you buy

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the property transfer tax in Hesse?

Hesse levies a Grunderwerbsteuer of 6.0% on the purchase price. Nine states charge less, while Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland and Schleswig-Holstein charge 6.5%.

### How has Brexit affected Frankfurt's property market?

We do not give reliable official figures on how Brexit has affected Frankfurt's housing market here. Check rents and prices for the specific location against current figures.

### Are there affordable investment opportunities in Hesse?

You can see purchase prices and gross yield for Hesse in the live figures at the top of this page. Outside Frankfurt, university cities such as Kassel, Gießen and Marburg are options. Compare asking prices and rents there before you settle on a city.