Estate agent commission in Germany: who pays how much?
6 min read · Updated 2026-06-01
Since 2020 the agent's commission on sales to consumers is shared. What that means for sellers and which rates are typical.
The shared commission
Since December 2020, the sale of apartments and single-family homes to consumers follows the shared-commission principle: if the seller instructs the agent, the buyer may pay at most the same share as the seller.
In practice the total commission is usually split in half. Regionally, around 3.57% incl. VAT per side is common, i.e. roughly 7.14% in total — but the rate is freely negotiable.
What you pay for as a seller
A good agency service includes valuation, professional preparation (photos, listing, floor plans), access to pre-registered buyers, creditworthiness checks, negotiation and support all the way to the notary.
What matters is not the lowest rate but the highest net proceeds: an experienced agent often achieves more than the commission costs.
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