The commission calculator uses a standard commission rate of 1.9% (including VAT). This does not constitute binding information. The final commission is based on the individual agreement and the property-specific conditions.*

Are you looking to sell your property and want to know how much the real estate agent commission in Berlin is? Or perhaps you are on the other side of the fence and are wondering what real estate agent fees you will incur as a buyer when purchasing an apartment in Berlin? Whether you are a seller or looking to buy a property, here you will find answers to various questions such as “Who pays the real estate agent commission when selling an apartment?” “How much is the brokerage commission in Berlin when buying a single-family home?” “Who pays the brokerage fees in Berlin for multi-family homes?” You can find out more about these and other points relating to calculating and paying brokerage commissions here.

The brokerage commission is paid to a real estate agent for the successful brokerage of a house, apartment, plot of land, or other property. This applies if the following conditions are met:

• There is a valid, written brokerage agreement with the seller or buyer.
• The real estate agent's services (brokerage activities) ensure that a valid purchase agreement for an apartment, house, or plot of land is concluded.

The real estate agent's terms and conditions specify when the brokerage commission is due for payment. In most cases, it is due as soon as a notarized purchase agreement has been concluded. A payment period of seven to 14 days is customary.

According to the law, there are three possible models for answering the question “Real estate agent commission in Berlin: Who pays when selling a condominium or a single-family home?”

Model 1 (= standard case): Seller and buyer share the brokerage fees equally

In this model, there is a brokerage agreement between the property seller and the broker. This agreement specifies the amount of commission payable on the sale. There is also a brokerage agreement with the buyer, in which the identical commission amount is specified. It would not be permissible to agree on a different amount. This model is based on the principle of equal sharing in accordance with Section 656c of the German Civil Code (BGB), according to which only the same commission amount may be specified in both brokerage agreements. Accordingly, it would not be permissible for one party to pay less than the other.

Model 2: Brokerage agreement with the seller and subsequent agreement with the buyer

Option 2 is that there is only one brokerage agreement with the seller, whose interests are represented by the real estate agent. However, since the buyer also benefits from the broker's mediation activities, the buyer can commit to paying part of the commission (maximum 50 percent) by means of a notarized agreement. This model requires that the buyer agrees to pay and that the seller's share of the commission has been paid. Proof of payment is required here.

An agreement whereby the seller obliges the buyer to pay the entire brokerage commission is inadmissible under Section 656d of the German Civil Code (BGB) (pass-through provision). This is also the case if the purchase price is reduced in return for the full payment of the commission (judgment of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of March 6, 2025 – I ZR 138/24).

Model 3: Seller pays brokerage commission alone

The seller pays the brokerage fees in full, without the buyer contributing. 

Estate agent fees in Berlin differ which is why it is important sellers not only understand how to check property value in Germany, but also how commissions on sales are calculated. Both of these factors go into deciding how much commission will become due to the agent after the sale of the property has been finalised because broker fees are typically worked out as a proportion of the sale price. 

Read on to find out how to calculate real estate commission, see a brokerage fee example calculation and when commissions become due. You will also discover what goes into valuing properties in Berlin accurately and, therefore, why agency fees are often so worth it.

Calculating real estate commission in Berlin isn't that hard when you realise that the commission rates quoted by most estate agents represent a proportion of the eventual sale price. Brokers in Berlin typically quote this as a percentage. In the capital, it is common for estate agencies to take sale commissions at a rate of 7.14%. When a single estate agent is involved, this figure is split equally, according to residential property regulations in almost all cases, between the seller and the buyer. With a commission rate of 7.14%, therefore, the seller would need to pay the agent 3.57% of the property's purchase price after the sale has been concluded. Likewise, the buyer would be responsible for their share and also need to pay the agent 3.57% of the agreed sale price.

If the buyer and the seller have appointed different brokers, then the usual 50-50 rule may not apply. However, it can make little difference in practice. If both agents coincidentally charge the same commission rate, for example, both the buyer and the seller would end up paying the same fees post-sale. However, these fees would differ if the seller happened to have negotiated a lower commission rate with their agent compared to the buyer's agreed rate with theirs. It is also worth noting that the 50-50 rule does not always apply to the sale of non-residential properties. Some new-build developers also may structure their commissions in a different way, as permitted under Germany's civil code. For the vast majority of Berlin's housing stock, however, sellers can expect to pay a commission fee that will be split down the middle on completion of the sale. 

Let's look at a brokerage fee example calculation or two to simplify the process of working out how much you might pay following the sale of a property in Berlin you currently own.

Firstly, if you appoint a broker who charges the common 7.14% rate and agree a sales price with a buyer of €300,000 and the buyer has no broker of their own, then you would pay €10,710 to the agent post-sale, the same sum as the buyer would.

There again, if you agree a sales price of €300,000 via the same broker but the buyer has their own agent with a lower commission rate of 6%, then you would still pay €10,710 (half of 7.14%) and they would pay €9,000 (half of 6%).

If both parties were to agree to a sale of a €300,000 property via Bergen Real Estate, where commission rates can be as low as just 3.8%, then you would pay only €5,700 in fees, just 1.9% of the sale price, and the same sum as the buyer.

As previously mentioned, estate agents can charge different rates, so negotiable broker commission in Berlin does exist. That being said, some estate agencies have set commission rates for certain property types, including residential properties, and won't lower their fees. Nevertheless, some negotiable broker commission is possible if you turn to the right sort of agency. Real estate transaction costs in Germany are not set in stone or limited. What is regulated, however, is the way splits in commission are typically handled. Therefore, if you think an estate agent is charging too much for a commission, you should shop around before appointing them.

As mentioned, residential sales in Berlin tend to involve a total commission of 7.14%, a fee that is split equally between buyer and seller according to the country's regulations when one agent represents both parties. This figure may differ from one agent to the next, however, hence why it is important to seek out lower commission rates. Bear in mind that buyers and sellers may appoint their own brokers. As such, it wouldn't matter when selling a residential property if your buyer came to you with an agent who charged a higher fee than those on offer from Bergen Real Estate, for example. Under such circumstances, you'd still benefit from our competitive commission rates.

Berlin property owners should also know multi-family residential buildings, often classed as a type of investment property, fall outside the commission cost-sharing rules that usually apply to residential properties. Sales of commercial real estate are also unaffected by the 50-50 commission-split regulations. The same applies to land sales, where real estate is undeveloped. 

Since 2020, regulations governing the fees estate agents can charge have been in place. They apply to residential property sales in Berlin and elsewhere. Under the 2020 rules, when one agent represents both parties in a sale, the broker must charge buyer and seller the same commission amount. The reform does not cap commission percentages. Instead, it is designed to ensure greater transparency over fee arrangements. When must commission be paid under the regulations, though? Agreed commissions only become due once the notarised purchase contract has been signed. What's more, the broker’s work must be shown to have contributed directly to the successful sale for a commission fee to be valid. In other words, no payment is required before legal completion, providing greater protection for both buyers and sellers, alike. 

Sellers can review Bodenrichtwert maps in Germany which help to gain insights into official land value benchmarks. However, they often won't help with individual factors, such as south-facing properties or recent upturns in asking prices, since they often lag years behind current trends. If you compare similar properties in the same neighbourhood to get a valuation, then the exact square metreage may differ, something that has a big impact on property valuations in the city. Even if the space is the same size, the internal layout and ceiling heights, especially in apartments, may mean you draw the wrong conclusions.

In the Berlin housing market, you also need to take into consideration the energy efficiency of any property you want to value. In addition, a thorough assessment of the condition of the roof, windows and doors will be needed for houses. When it comes to apartments, fees and tenancy rules in the block will also affect prices. Those wanting to market to buy-to-let landlords will also need to check potential rental yields. Consequently, most housing stock in Berlin is valued by professionals who have the experience and local know-how to come up with accurate asking prices which are neither too high nor too low.

Knowing how to evaluate the property value of a dwelling you want to sell yourself is one thing, but turning to a professional is often a much more accurate way to proceed. Estate agent fees in Berlin cover valuations and are only usually payable once a sale has been arranged. You can also turn to a Sachverständiger, a property professional in Germany who assesses both commercial and residential properties. More often than not, a Sachverständiger will charge upfront fees for their services which are payable regardless of whether you go on to sell your property. It is for this reason that many Berlin-based property owners use estate agents instead. 

Of course, it is important to appoint a real estate agency, like Bergen Real Estate, which has an in-depth knowledge of not only the methodologies used to assess property values properly, but which also has expertise in the various localised markets and property hotspots that influence valuations throughout the city. Note that real estate commission in Germany usually covers the work undertaken to value a property. However, more specialist skills and knowledge are often needed for a valuation to be accurate in Berlin than in other parts of the country.

The real estate broker fee in Germany should always be transparent. We believe that seller agent commission in Berlin should also be as low as possible. That's why we offer sellers the chance to successfully sell their properties in Berlin through us with a markedly lower commission rate than is common in the city. With the seller's half of the commission often as low as just 1.9% and a host of professional estate agency services, including accurate property valuations throughout each district of Berlin, Bergen Real Estate is the ideal broker to appoint if you want to lower your selling costs while still experiencing exemplary service. Even better, our low commissions are often attractive to would-be buyers, driving up interest and potentially speeding up sale timelines.

Broker commission in Berlin is usually split between the buyer and the seller. This commission split buyer seller in Germany is also typical in the capital but it is not the only way a real estate commission calculation can occur. In some cases involving commercial properties, land or multi-family buildings, the seller will be responsible for all of the real estate commission in Germany while it is also possible for the buyer to cover all these costs. It depends on the contract, the property classification and what was agreed with the estate agent in the first place. Nevertheless, by far the most common split for real estate agent commission in Berlin is 50-50 between the seller and the buyer. For most residential properties, real estate transaction costs in Germany are split down the middle. 

Other than the aforementioned 50% real estate commission in Berlin for residential properties, buyers can expect some further expenditure. Berlin real estate buying costs also include a property transfer tax, known as Grunderwerbsteuer. Buyers in Berlin pay 6% of the purchase price for Grunderwerbsteuer, one of the highest rates in the country. Notary fees also need to be factored in as do land registry fees, referred to in Germany as Grundbuchkosten. Depending on their financial circumstances, buyers may also need to pay mortgage fees.

Since the 2020 real estate commission reform, the 50-50 real estate commission calculation formula has become widespread in Germany. Although the norm in Berlin and other big cities, a real estate broker fee in Germany can differ. In southern states, it is not unheard of for the buyer to pay the full commission, so long as the agent has been formally engaged only by the buyer. In areas where dual agency is not used, one party (either the buyer or the seller) may cover all of the commission costs but this is only legally permissible for non-residential property. Simply put, broker commission in Berlin is almost always a straight split between buyer and seller.

Real estate agent commission in Berlin is only payable after the sale when the sale contract is signed, a legal action undertaken by the appointed notary. As in other parts of the country, broker fee regulation in Germany means that commission fees are only payable if the broker’s actions were causally linked to the sale. In other words, the notary's contract of sale must be as a result of the estate agency's work. When is a broker entitled to commission if the sale falls through, though? In such cases, the answer is there is no entitlement to commission. 

No, commission rates for residential property sales vary from one estate agent to the next. Here at Bergen Real Estate, we offer lower-than-usual commissions for marketing and selling properties, a key reason to turn to us when you have a property in the city to sell. 

Just like seller commission, the buyer agent commission in Berlin differs depending on which real estate agent you appoint. Although residential properties are always subject to a 50-50 split between the buyer and seller when a single agent is engaged, the amount that is being split will not always be the same and it is common for buyers to have to fork out 3.57% of the purchase price in commissions. At Bergen Real Estate, this figure typically starts from just 1.9% including VAT.

Residential property sales are regulated under rules introduced in 2020 via changes to the country's civil code which led to the mandatory cost-sharing rules now in place between buyers and sellers in Berlin. These regulations are enforced at the federal level by the German federal legislature, known as the Bundesgesetzgeber. Estate agents are also overseen by professional bodies in Germany which helps to ensure compliance.

After the appointed notary's purchase contract, or Kaufvertrag, has been signed by the legal owner and the purchaser, the estate agents fees Berlin properties are typically subject to become payable in full. All of the contractual conditions in the Kaufvertrag must be fulfilled, however. Estate agents issue an invoice. At Bergen, our post-sale commission invoices are typically payable within a 7 to 14 day window.

There is no maximum broker commission Berlin estate agents have to adhere to. In practice, however, a commission rate of 7.14% is about the highest agencies in the city will go. That said, it is well worth checking before appointing a broker. What you need to see is a transparent commission structure, like the one on offer at Bergen Real Estate. If you don't want to pay 3.57% of the sale price of your property – your half of the common 7.14% commission figure – then talk to us about our more favourable rates instead.