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I've looked into this myself, and the key thing is: broker fees aren't set by law - they're negotiated between the broker and the client. So there's no fixed rate for 2026 - the ranges vary quite a bit by region and generally fall between 3 and 7.5 percent of the purchase price, often plus VAT. Even though theoretically the buyer's order principle applies, in practice the costs often end up with the buyer anyway because that's how it's written into the contract. It's worth contacting several brokers and asking them directly about their fees instead of relying on benchmark figures.
Are you asking about real estate agents or other types of brokers? For real estate in Germany, the buyer-pays principle has been in effect since 2020 - whoever hires the agent pays the fee, not automatically the seller. The amount isn't set nationwide; it's negotiated between the agent and the client, but typically ranges somewhere between 3 and 7 percent of the purchase price (plus VAT).
fischer1983 asker
Yeah, real estate agents! Thanks for the detailed explanation!
When I was looking for property, I got annoyed with the fees too. The buyer-pays principle does apply in theory, but there are some important pitfalls that a lot of people miss: the legal maximum is 7.14% plus VAT (so roughly 8.5% gross), but that doesn't mean all agents actually stick to it. Many charge less, but some try to pocket the full amount - and then you have to actively negotiate or find out what's typical in your area.
The annoying thing is that fees vary by region and depend on the individual case. In some areas you pay around 5-6%, in others the full 7.14%. Important: if you're the one who hires an agent yourself (not the seller), then you're the one who pays. But that's often not communicated clearly. So always clarify in writing beforehand who covers which fees and exactly how much they are - don't just assume the other person will pay them.
The broker fee has been capped by law since 2020 - maximum 5.95% plus VAT, and whoever hires the broker pays for it 🏠 That applies in 2026 just like it did back then. Important: Some brokers still try to get both sides to pay anyway, so it's worth checking the contract!
One more thing that's important: even if the agent has hired you, you can often still negotiate the fees - many don't expect you to ask. With larger properties or if you're brokering multiple objects, there's often room to haggle the price down. It's worth googling beforehand what's standard in your region so you know what you can bring to the table in negotiations.
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