Dutch estate agent commission: what is it and what do you pay?

Commission is a result-dependent fee: you only pay your agent on a successful purchase or sale. It is expressed as a percentage of the transaction price. No sale = no commission (though external costs like photos or energy label can be billed separately).

The alternative is a fixed fee: an agreed amount independent of the final sale price. Which is smarter depends on your property and situation.

Common commission for a selling agent: 1 to 2 percent of the final sale price. The higher the segment, the lower the percentage usually.

• Sale price €300,000 × 1.5%: €4,500 commission
• Sale price €500,000 × 1.25%: €6,250 commission
• Sale price €800,000 × 1%: €8,000 commission
• Sale price €1,200,000 × 0.9%: €10,800 commission

VAT (21%) is added on top by most agents, so €4,500 × 1.21 = €5,445 incl. VAT.

For buying agents, commission is less common than a fixed fee, because the work is roughly the same regardless of the final purchase price. You do still regularly see 1 to 1.5 percent over the purchase price.

• Purchase €350,000 × 1%: €3,500 commission
• Purchase €500,000 × 1%: €5,000 commission

A fixed fee of €2,500 to €5,000 is common for buying assistance, often combined with a success fee on actual purchase.

For a sale, typically included:

• On-site valuation
• Sales strategy and advice
• Professional photography (often) and listing on Funda + own channels
• Organising and conducting viewings
• Negotiations with serious buyers
• Drafting the purchase agreement
• Guidance through to the notary

Sometimes billed separately: styling advice, drone footage, 3D tour, video. Always ask upfront what is and isn't included.

A fixed fee is usually better if your property is above-average priced (e.g. above €600,000 in a normal segment). Commission scales up steeply while the work does not proportionally.

Commission is better if your property looks hard to sell: then the agent moves with the outcome. A hybrid model (base fee + commission share above an agreed price) also exists, especially in no-cure-no-pay arrangements.