Am I being threatened with a 30,000 EUR contractual penalty...?

I rather think that it makes little sense to pay the penalty over 10 years, even in installments.

Although I have considered it, my mother told me just last week to take the risk and keep the job; if necessary, she will even pay half.

My mother wanted to build a house 3 years ago; at that time, there were only a few plots available, unfortunately she didn't get one in the lottery back then. My mother is now 60 and can finance the house. She only needs a small construction loan because she has equity.

And since my financial situation is currently better as well, I am basically building on half of my mother’s plot, which she acquired. The plot is now being split in half, division declaration, notary, etc.

The current situation is that due to the plot division, the notary appointment is coming up soon, where each will be entered separately in the land register. This way, later on, anyone can sell their half if they wish, and above all, no one will be held liable if either of them should get into financial difficulties.

I think the appointment will be set within the next 2 weeks. I will definitely sign, because if all else fails, I will look for a new job.

My wife told me just yesterday that we should move and if it doesn’t suit us after 5 years, we can basically move out again and then legally rent the house.

Before you sink 30,000, let it sit empty for 2-3 years, use it as a holiday home and register yourself there. And that in the south will be a second home. Karsten