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 2025/26 rates.
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.
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