- Who counts: you, and everyone you’re buying with, must never have owned a home anywhere in the world.
- The £500,000 cliff: at £500,000 you pay £10,000. At £500,001 you pay £15,000, because the relief is lost on the whole price.
- Scotland: first-time buyers get a £175,000 tax-free band, saving up to £600. Wales has no first-time buyer relief.
First-time buyer stamp duty by price
| Price | First-time buyer | Everyone else |
|---|---|---|
| £150,000 | £0 | £500 |
| £200,000 | £0 | £1,500 |
| £250,000 | £0 | £2,500 |
| £300,000 | £0 | £5,000 |
| £350,000 | £2,500 | £7,500 |
| £400,000 | £5,000 | £10,000 |
| £450,000 | £7,500 | £12,500 |
| £500,000 | £10,000 | £15,000 |
| £550,000 | £17,500 | £17,500 |
| £600,000 | £20,000 | £20,000 |
| £500,001 | £15,000 | £15,000 |
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Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?
Not on the first £300,000 in England and Northern Ireland. Between £300,001 and £500,000 they pay 5%. Above £500,000 they pay the normal rates.
What happens if a first-time buyer pays over £500,000?
First-time buyer relief is lost completely, so they pay the same stamp duty as anyone else: £15,000 at £500,001.
Rates for homes bought from 1 April 2025. A guide, not legal advice. Your solicitor will confirm the exact amount.
Last checked against GOV.UK: 9 October 2026