Stamp Duty Explained 2026: Complete UK Guide

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is one of the largest transaction costs when buying property in England and Northern Ireland. Understanding current rates helps you budget accurately.

Current SDLT Rates 2025/26

For residential properties, stamp duty rates are:

• £0 - £250,000: 0% (first-time buyers: £0 - £300,000)
• £250,001 - £925,000: 5%
• £925,001 - £1,500,000: 10%
• Over £1,500,000: 12%

First-Time Buyer Relief

First-time buyers enjoy significant relief. Properties up to £300,000 are completely exempt. Between £300,001 and £500,000, you pay just 5%. Properties over £500,000 receive no relief.

To qualify, you must be a first-time buyer (never owned property anywhere in the world) and intend to use the property as your main residence.

Additional Property Surcharge

If you already own a property and buy another (without selling the first), you pay a 3% surcharge on all bands. This applies to buy-to-let investors and second home buyers.

The surcharge significantly impacts investment calculations—always factor it into your purchase costs. Our stamp duty calculator automatically includes this surcharge for additional properties.

Non-UK Resident Surcharge

Since April 2021, non-UK residents pay an additional 2% SDLT surcharge. A buyer is non-UK resident if they spend fewer than 183 days in the UK in the 12 months before purchase.

Calculating Your SDLT

Use our free stamp duty calculator to instantly calculate your SDLT liability. Simply enter property price, whether you're a first-time buyer, and whether it's an additional property.