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Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our South Korea Property Pack
Buying property in Daejeon as a foreigner means you will face taxes, professional fees, and administrative costs that can add up quickly if you are not prepared.
This guide breaks down every cost you should expect when purchasing residential real estate in Daejeon in 2026, from acquisition taxes to hidden fees that catch many foreign buyers off guard.
We update this blog post regularly to reflect the latest tax rates, fee caps, and market conditions in Daejeon.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.
Overall, how much extra should I budget on top of the purchase price in Daejeon in 2026?
How much are total buyer closing costs in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, total buyer closing costs in Daejeon typically range from 3% to 6% of the purchase price, which means on a 300 million won property (around $215,000 USD or €200,000 EUR), you should expect to pay between 9 million and 18 million won extra.
The minimum extra budget possible in Daejeon is around 2% to 3% of the purchase price (6 to 9 million won, or $4,300 to $6,500 USD, or €4,000 to €6,000 EUR), but this assumes you fall into the lowest acquisition tax bracket, negotiate brokerage fees below the cap, and handle most paperwork yourself.
The maximum extra budget buyers should realistically plan for in Daejeon is 7% to 9% of the purchase price (21 to 27 million won, or $15,000 to $19,500 USD, or €14,000 to €18,000 EUR), which accounts for higher tax brackets, maximum brokerage fees, and full professional support including lawyers and translators.
The main factors that determine whether your closing costs fall at the low end or high end in Daejeon include which acquisition tax bracket your property falls into, whether you negotiate brokerage below the legal cap, and how much professional help you need as a foreign buyer who may not read Korean contracts.
What's the usual total % of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Daejeon?
The usual total percentage of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Daejeon in 2026 is around 3% to 6% for most individual foreign buyers purchasing a single residential property.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range that covers most standard property transactions in Daejeon spans from about 2% in the best case to 9% in more complex situations, though typical buyers land somewhere in the middle.
Of that total percentage, government taxes (mainly acquisition tax and related surtaxes) make up the largest share at roughly 1% to 4%, while professional service fees like brokerage, legal help, and translation account for the remaining 1% to 3%.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.
What costs are always mandatory when buying in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, the mandatory costs when buying property in Daejeon include acquisition tax plus related local surtaxes (1% to 3% for most homes), brokerage fees if you use a licensed agent, stamp tax on the contract (a small fixed won amount based on contract value), and registration fees to officially transfer ownership.
Costs that are optional but highly recommended for foreign buyers in Daejeon include hiring a registration professional or lawyer to handle Korean paperwork, independent title and encumbrance checks through registry documents, and translator or interpreter services for contract signing and bank reporting steps.
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What taxes do I pay when buying a property in Daejeon in 2026?
What is the property transfer tax rate in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property transfer tax rate in Daejeon (called acquisition tax in Korea) ranges from 1% to 3% for residential homes, though multi-homeowners or buyers in certain policy categories can face much higher rates.
Foreigners are not charged an extra acquisition tax rate in Daejeon just for being foreign, but they do face additional paperwork requirements including district office reporting and bank notifications for cross-border money transfers.
VAT on residential property purchases in Daejeon is generally not the main tax for typical resale apartments, though it can apply at 10% of the building value when buying new construction directly from a developer or in certain commercial transactions.
Stamp tax in Daejeon is paid when you sign the real estate ownership transfer contract, and it is calculated as a fixed won amount based on the contract value bracket, making it a small but mandatory cost compared to acquisition tax.
Are there tax exemptions or reduced rates for first-time buyers in Daejeon?
Korea has been expanding acquisition tax relief for first-time homebuyers in 2026, with potential exemptions or reductions available depending on your purchase price, household status, and whether the property meets certain criteria.
Buying property through a company in Daejeon introduces very different tax treatment, including potentially higher acquisition taxes and an additional corporate income tax layer when you eventually sell, so corporate ownership is not a simple way to save money.
The tax difference between new-build and resale properties in Daejeon mainly relates to VAT treatment and invoice structure, since developer sales may include VAT while private resales typically do not.
To qualify for first-time buyer exemptions in Daejeon, you generally need to provide documentation proving you have not owned a home before, meet household income thresholds, and purchase a property below certain price caps set by the government.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in South Korea versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Which professional fees will I pay as a buyer in Daejeon in 2026?
How much does a notary or conveyancing lawyer cost in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, hiring a registration professional (called a 법무사 or judicial scrivener) or lawyer in Daejeon typically costs between 500,000 and 1,500,000 won ($360 to $1,080 USD, or €335 to €1,000 EUR) for a straightforward home purchase, though complex cases involving foreign remittance trails or powers of attorney can run 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 won or more.
These fees in Daejeon are usually charged as a flat rate based on service complexity rather than as a percentage of the property price, which means your costs depend more on how much help you need than on how expensive your home is.
Translation and interpreter services for foreign buyers in Daejeon typically cost between 200,000 and 800,000 won ($145 to $575 USD, or €135 to €535 EUR) for key meetings and contract review, rising to 800,000 to 2,000,000 won ($575 to $1,440 USD, or €535 to €1,335 EUR) for full end-to-end support.
A tax advisor in Daejeon is optional for buying but often worth the cost for renting out or selling later, with one-off consultations running 200,000 to 700,000 won ($145 to $500 USD, or €135 to €465 EUR) and ongoing filing support costing 1,000,000 won or more.
We have a whole part dedicated to these topics in our our real estate pack about Daejeon.
What's the typical real estate agent fee in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical real estate agent fee in Daejeon is capped by law at around 0.4% to 0.7% of the transaction price depending on the value bracket, which means on a 300 million won property you would pay a maximum of about 1.2 to 2.1 million won ($860 to $1,500 USD, or €800 to €1,400 EUR).
In Daejeon, each side typically pays their own agent, so as a buyer you pay your buyer-side agent and the seller pays their seller-side agent, though the final fee within the cap is negotiable.
The realistic low-to-high range for agent fees in Daejeon runs from around 0.3% if you negotiate aggressively to the full legal cap of 0.4% to 0.7% depending on your price bracket, with most buyers landing somewhere in between.
How much do legal checks cost (title, liens, permits) in Daejeon?
Legal checks including title search, liens verification, and permits review in Daejeon typically cost between 100,000 and 500,000 won ($70 to $360 USD, or €65 to €335 EUR) for basic document retrieval and review, rising to 500,000 to 1,500,000 won ($360 to $1,080 USD, or €335 to €1,000 EUR) for deeper due diligence on encumbrances and tenant status.
Property valuation fees in Daejeon typically cost between 150,000 and 400,000 won ($110 to $290 USD, or €100 to €265 EUR) for a standard residential valuation report, though banks may have their own appraisal process if you are financing.
The most critical legal check that should never be skipped in Daejeon is verifying the property registry (등기부등본) to confirm the seller actually owns the unit and that there are no hidden liens, mortgages, or encumbrances that could transfer to you.
Buying a property with hidden issues is something we mention in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying real estate in Daejeon.
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What hidden or surprise costs should I watch for in Daejeon right now?
What are the most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Daejeon?
The most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Daejeon include unpaid building management fee arrears (관리비) that become a dispute at handover, extra document and certification costs for foreigners such as translations and powers of attorney, and bank administrative fees for international remittance documentation.
In Daejeon, unpaid property taxes or building fees do not automatically transfer to you as the new owner, but they can complicate the transfer process and delay handover, so you should verify payment status and confirm clean handover terms in writing before closing.
Foreigners in Daejeon can be targeted by scams involving fake listings or inflated fees due to language barriers, so the safest approach is to pay only through the formal contract flow, verify the agent's license, and confirm that property registry documents match the seller and unit.
Fees that are usually not disclosed upfront in Daejeon include translation and document handling costs, extra bank fees for documenting international money transfers, and small taxes like stamp tax that appear late if no one itemizes them early in the process.
In our property pack covering the property buying process in Daejeon, we go into details so you can avoid these pitfalls.
Are there extra fees if the property has a tenant in Daejeon?
Extra fees when buying a tenanted property in Daejeon are less about taxes and more about cash flow timing, since you may need additional funds to bridge deposit handovers plus extra costs for contract review and document checks to confirm tenant rights and move-out terms, typically adding 200,000 to 500,000 won ($145 to $360 USD, or €135 to €335 EUR) in professional fees.
When you purchase a tenanted property in Daejeon, you inherit the existing lease agreement and must honor the tenant's rights until the lease expires, including their security deposit (often a large jeonse deposit in Korea's unique rental system).
Terminating an existing lease immediately after purchase in Daejeon is generally not possible unless the lease has a specific early termination clause or you negotiate directly with the tenant and compensate them appropriately.
A sitting tenant in Daejeon can affect the property's market value and your negotiating position in both directions: some buyers pay less because they cannot move in immediately, while investors may pay more for a property with stable rental income already in place.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Daejeon.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in South Korea. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which fees are negotiable, and who really pays what in Daejeon?
Which closing costs are negotiable in Daejeon right now?
The closing costs that are negotiable in Daejeon include brokerage fees (which have a legal cap but are typically negotiated below it), professional fees for lawyers and registration handlers, translation costs, and some administrative service fees that can be reduced by shopping around or bundling services.
Closing costs that are fixed by law and cannot be negotiated in Daejeon include acquisition tax and related surtaxes, stamp tax, and mandatory registration fees set by the government.
Typical discounts buyers can realistically achieve on negotiable fees in Daejeon range from 10% to 30% off quoted rates for professional services, and many buyers successfully negotiate brokerage fees 0.1% to 0.2% below the legal maximum cap.
Can I ask the seller to cover some closing costs in Daejeon?
The likelihood that a seller in Daejeon will agree to cover some of your closing costs is relatively low, since the standard expectation in Korea is that each party covers their own side of the transaction.
Sellers in Daejeon are most commonly willing to cover small concessions like minor repair costs or contribute to documentation fees rather than paying buyer taxes or brokerage, which are traditionally the buyer's responsibility.
Sellers in Daejeon are more likely to accept covering some closing costs when the property has been on the market for a long time, needs significant repairs, or when the broader market favors buyers over sellers.
Is price bargaining common in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, price bargaining is common in Daejeon's residential property market, especially compared to Seoul's hottest neighborhoods where competition can be fiercer.
Buyers in Daejeon typically negotiate between 2% and 5% below the asking price (6 to 15 million won on a 300 million won property, or $4,300 to $10,800 USD, or €4,000 to €10,000 EUR), with discounts reaching 5% to 10% for properties that have been sitting on the market or need repairs.
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What monthly, quarterly or annual costs will I pay as an owner in Daejeon?
What's the realistic monthly owner budget in Daejeon right now?
A realistic monthly owner budget for an apartment in Daejeon in 2026 runs between 180,000 and 350,000 won per month ($130 to $250 USD, or €120 to €235 EUR), with seasonal variations depending on heating costs.
The main recurring expense categories that make up this monthly budget in Daejeon include building management fees (관리비), utilities like electricity and water, heating costs (especially in winter), and small contributions to building reserve funds.
The realistic low-to-high range for monthly owner costs in Daejeon spans from about 150,000 won ($110 USD, €100 EUR) for a smaller unit with efficient heating to 400,000 won or more ($290 USD, €265 EUR) for larger apartments with central heating during winter months.
The monthly cost that tends to vary the most in Daejeon is heating, which can double or triple your management fee during cold winter months depending on your building's heating system type and your usage.
You can see how this budget affect your gross and rental yields in Daejeon here.
What is the annual property tax amount in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, annual property tax in Daejeon for a typical single-home owner ranges from about 300,000 to 1,200,000 won per year ($215 to $860 USD, or €200 to €800 EUR), depending on your property's assessed value.
The realistic low-to-high range for annual property taxes in Daejeon spans from under 200,000 won ($145 USD, €135 EUR) for lower-value properties to over 2,000,000 won ($1,440 USD, €1,335 EUR) for higher-value homes that may trigger additional national taxes.
Property tax in Daejeon is calculated in two layers: a local property tax with progressive rates of roughly 0.1% to 0.4% based on assessed value, plus a potential national Comprehensive Real Estate Tax for owners whose total housing holdings exceed certain thresholds.
Exemptions or reductions for property tax in Daejeon may be available for certain categories like senior citizens or disabled homeowners, though most single-home owners simply pay the standard progressive rate without special treatment.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of South Korea. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
If I rent it out, what extra taxes and fees apply in Daejeon in 2026?
What tax rate applies to rental income in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income in Daejeon is taxed as part of Korea's progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from about 6% to 45% depending on your total income bracket.
Landlords in Daejeon can deduct legitimate expenses from rental income taxes, including management fees, repair costs, depreciation, insurance, and certain professional fees tied to earning the rental income.
The realistic effective tax rate after deductions for typical landlords in Daejeon falls somewhere between 15% and 35% of net rental profit, depending on your income level and how many deductions you can claim.
Foreign property owners in Daejeon do not pay a different rental income tax rate than residents, but non-residents face more administrative friction including withholding requirements and should budget for a tax agent to handle filings correctly.
Do I pay tax on short-term rentals in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rental income in Daejeon is taxable just like long-term rental income, and you must report it as part of your overall income tax filing.
Short-term rental income in Daejeon is not taxed at a different rate than long-term rentals, but it does involve more documentation, potential platform fees, cleaning costs, and possibly different regulatory requirements depending on how you operate.
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If I sell later, what taxes and fees will I pay in Daejeon in 2026?
What's the total cost of selling as a % of price in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total cost of selling a property in Daejeon typically runs between 2% and 5% of the sale price, not counting capital gains tax which is calculated separately on your profit.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for total selling costs in Daejeon spans from about 1.5% if you minimize professional help to around 6% if you include staging, repairs, and full agent services.
The specific cost categories that typically make up this total in Daejeon include seller-side brokerage fees (0.4% to 0.7% capped), moving and minor repair costs, marketing expenses if any, and professional help for tax filing especially for foreign sellers.
The single largest contributor to selling expenses in Daejeon is usually the real estate agent commission, which at the capped rate can easily account for half or more of your total non-tax selling costs.
What capital gains tax applies when selling in Daejeon in 2026?
As of early 2026, capital gains tax on property sales in Daejeon is progressive and ranges from about 6% to 45% of taxable gains for individuals who have held the property long enough, plus an additional 10% local income tax surcharge on top of the national rate.
Exemptions to capital gains tax in Daejeon may be available for qualifying primary residence sales where you meet ownership and occupancy requirements, though the specific conditions and thresholds can be complex and change with policy updates.
Foreigners do not pay a higher capital gains tax rate in Daejeon just for being foreign, but they face additional administrative requirements including potential withholding mechanics and should budget for a tax professional to ensure correct filing.
Capital gains in Daejeon are calculated as the sale price minus your original purchase price, with adjustments allowed for documented improvement costs, and the holding period significantly affects your tax rate since short holds are taxed much more heavily to discourage speculation.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in South Korea compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Daejeon, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Invest KOREA (KOTRA) - Applicable Taxes | Government-run foreign investment agency summarizing taxes for non-experts. | We used it to anchor the main tax categories and official rate ranges. We cross-checked acquisition tax, property tax, and capital gains structures against this source. |
| Invest KOREA - Procedures & Required Documents | Official step-by-step guide for foreigners with statutory deadlines. | We used it to confirm foreign buyer registration steps and paperwork requirements. We identified which administrative costs foreigners should expect. |
| Seoul Metropolitan Government - Brokerage Fee Caps | Major local government publishing the legally capped brokerage schedule. | We used it to determine maximum buyer and seller brokerage percentages. We built our closing cost ranges using these official caps. |
| KLRI - Stamp Tax Act | Official consolidated statute text from Korea's public law database. | We used it to confirm stamp tax brackets and when they apply. We treated stamp tax as a small but mandatory cost item. |
| National Tax Service (NTS) | Primary authority administering national taxes and publishing guidance. | We used it to anchor statements about how Korea treats foreign taxpayers. We verified income tax and filing requirements for foreign owners. |
| NTS - Non-resident Filing Guidance | Official NTS page specifically about non-resident real estate transfers. | We used it to confirm non-resident filing and payment obligations. We justified the recommendation to budget for a tax agent when selling. |
| K-apt (Joint Housing Management System) | Official platform run by Ministry of Land publishing apartment fee statistics. | We used it to ground realistic monthly management fee estimates. We built the monthly owner budget section using this regional data. |
| Invest KOREA - Remittance of Transaction Funds | Government source describing cross-border money flow reporting requirements. | We used it to explain bank and BOK notification requirements. We identified hidden administrative costs foreigners often miss. |
| Multilaw - Real Estate Guide South Korea | International law firm network providing professional real estate guidance. | We used it to verify legal check procedures and due diligence costs. We confirmed the importance of registry verification for buyers. |
| Asia Economy | Major Korean business news outlet covering policy announcements. | We used it to track first-time buyer relief policy updates. We confirmed that acquisition tax exemptions are expanding in 2026. |
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