Estate Agent Commission Saxony

Anyone selling or buying a property in Saxony faces the same question early on: what does an estate agent cost, and who pays it? The answer is simpler than expected — and at the same time more nuanced than many guides suggest.

How high is the estate agent commission in Saxony?

In Saxony, a total commission of 7.14 % of the purchase price (incl. VAT) is the market norm. This is split evenly between buyer and seller — each side pays 3.57 %.

A worked example:

The commission is not prescribed by law — it is a matter of negotiation. In practice, most providers stick to the market norm because it reflects the work involved.

Who pays the agent? The equal-sharing rule since 2020

Until 2020 it was common in many federal states for the buyer to bear the entire commission. The legislature changed that.

Since December 2020, the following applies to residential property (§ 656a–656d BGB): whoever owes a commission as the agent's client may demand at most the same amount from the other side. In practice this means: buyer and seller split the courtage equally.

What this means for you as a seller: you pay 3.57 % of the purchase price as commission — and only in the event of success. If no sale comes about, no commission is due.

What is included in the commission?

The commission is a success fee — not an advance payment for services that may never reach a result. What is delivered for it differs considerably from one provider to another. The basis of professional marketing is:

Valuation: a market-appropriate price assessment based on current comparable data, valuation-committee information and local market experience. An entry price set too high costs more in the end than any commission.

Professional marketing: high-quality photography, a compelling brochure, listing on the relevant portals and — for discreet sales — targeted outreach from a qualified pool of prospective buyers.

Buyer qualification: not every interested party is a potential buyer. Checking creditworthiness, obtaining financing confirmation, restricting viewings to serious prospects — that saves time and protects your privacy.

Negotiation: the negotiating partner has no emotional attachment to the property. That is an advantage. Professional negotiation based on sound market data statistically leads to higher sale prices than a private sale.

Support through to handover: reviewing the purchase contract draft, coordinating the notary appointment, drawing up the handover protocol.

Is professional support worth it despite the commission?

The honest answer: usually yes — but not always.

Professional support is particularly worthwhile when:

• the property is complex (listed, let, community of heirs, in need of renovation)
• the market for your property is not obvious (not a standard product)
• you have little time or experience with negotiation
• discretion matters (no public listing wanted)

A private sale can make sense when:

• demand in your location is strong and the property practically sells itself
• you already know a qualified buyer
• you can and want to handle every step yourself

Studies show: agent-supported sales achieve on average 5–10 % higher sale prices in the Dresden region than comparable private sales. For a property worth €300,000, 7 % = €21,000 in additional proceeds — against a commission of €10,710 each, a clear plus.

What should you look for when choosing a property service provider?

Honesty about price: a reputable provider gives you a realistic market value — not the highest possible figure to win the mandate. An inflated entry price leads to long time on the market, price reductions and a weaker negotiating result.

Local market knowledge: national providers know Dresden from the database. Someone who knows the price differences between Blasewitz and Johannstadt from the experience of hundreds of viewings is a different kind of partner.

Transparency about service and costs: before instructing, ask what is actually delivered. A clear marketing plan — with timeframe and measures — is a good sign.

No commitment without a result: reputable service providers do not demand reimbursement of costs if the property is not sold. The commission is a success fee, not an upfront retainer.

Further costs when selling a property

The commission is not the only cost item. As a seller, the following typically come on top:

• Energy certificate: €80–500, depending on type (consumption-based or demand-based certificate)
• Cancellation of the land charge: €200–500
• Early repayment penalty: if a current loan is repaid early — calculated by the bank
• Possibly speculation tax: if the property was held for less than 10 years and not owner-occupied

The notary and real estate transfer tax are, as a rule, borne by the buyer.

You will find a complete overview of all costs when selling a property in our guide to incidental costs.