What is first-time buyer stamp duty relief?

It is a reduced stamp duty bill for people buying their first home. The nil-rate band is raised from £125,000 to £300,000, so most first-time buyers pay much less than a home mover on the same property.

Who counts as a first-time buyer?

You qualify if you (and anyone buying with you) have never owned a residential property anywhere in the world, and the home you are buying will be your main residence. If a partner buying with you has owned before, you cannot claim the relief.

Is first-time buyer relief the same in Scotland and Wales?

No. The £300,000 threshold is for England and Northern Ireland. Scotland (LBTT) has its own first-time buyer relief with a lower threshold, and Wales (LTT) has no separate first-time buyer scheme. Choose the right region in the calculator for an accurate figure.

First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty Calculator

Check how much stamp duty a first-time buyer pays and how much you save with first-time buyer relief. Supports England, Scotland & Wales with current rates.

Property price

Buyer type

Region

Stamp Duty to pay

£0

You save £2,500 as a first-time buyer.

Effective rate 0.00%

Effective rate

0.00%

FTB relief saving

£2,500

Band	Rate	Tax
£0 — £250,000	0%	£0
Total	0.00%	£0

Based on the SDLT rates in force since 1 April 2025. England rates apply to Northern Ireland too.

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An estimate of the published rates as we understand them, not tax advice. Rates and reliefs change and depend on your circumstances — confirm with your solicitor or a qualified tax adviser before you rely on a figure.

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?

In England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers get a reduced stamp duty bill called first-time buyer relief. You pay nothing on the first £300,000 of the price, then 5% on the part between £300,000 and £500,000. If the home costs more than £500,000, you get no relief and pay the standard rates on the whole price.

To count as a first-time buyer, you (and anyone buying with you) must never have owned a home before, anywhere in the world. The property also has to be the one you will live in as your main home.

The calculator above shows your bill with relief applied, plus how much you save compared with a home mover. For all the other upfront costs, try our house buying costs calculator, or read our complete stamp duty guide.

First-time buyer relief at a glance

Portion of the price	First-time buyer rate	Standard rate
Up to £300,000	0%	0% up to £125,000, then 2%
£300,001–£500,000	5%	5%
Over £500,000	No relief — standard rates apply	Standard rates

First-time buyer relief applies to purchases up to £500,000. Above that, the standard rates apply to the whole price.

Scotland and Wales are different

The £300,000 relief above is for England and Northern Ireland only. Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and runs its own first-time buyer relief with a lower threshold. Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT) and has no separate first-time buyer scheme — everyone uses the same starting threshold there.

Pick the right region in the calculator to see the figure for where you are buying.

Frequently asked questions

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?: In England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers pay no stamp duty on the first £300,000 and 5% on the part between £300,000 and £500,000. If the home costs more than £500,000, the relief is lost and standard rates apply to the whole price.
What is first-time buyer stamp duty relief?: It is a reduced stamp duty bill for people buying their first home. The nil-rate band is raised from £125,000 to £300,000, so most first-time buyers pay much less than a home mover on the same property.
Who counts as a first-time buyer?: You qualify if you (and anyone buying with you) have never owned a residential property anywhere in the world, and the home you are buying will be your main residence. If a partner buying with you has owned before, you cannot claim the relief.
Is first-time buyer relief the same in Scotland and Wales?: No. The £300,000 threshold is for England and Northern Ireland. Scotland (LBTT) has its own first-time buyer relief with a lower threshold, and Wales (LTT) has no separate first-time buyer scheme. Choose the right region in the calculator for an accurate figure.

Stamp duty is just one cost

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The current SDLT rates for England and Northern Ireland — covering first-time buyers, home movers, and second-home buyers, with the thresholds that apply from April 2025.

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