Malta has some of the highest real estate commission rates in Europe, especially when using licensed estate agencies large firm. However, there’s a dual system in play: one formal and modern, the other traditional (Sensara) means brokers.
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Real Estate Agent Commission Rates
Real estate agent commission rates vary by country, property type, and region, but here’s a general overview of typical commission rates for residential property sales:
| Country | Typical Commission | Paid By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 4% – 7% | Buyer or Seller | Often negotiable. Sometimes split. |
| Germany | 3% – 7.14% (incl. VAT) | Buyer and/or Seller | Typically split 50/50 after 2021 reforms. |
| Italy | 2% – 4% | Both Buyer & Seller | Both usually pay equal share. |
| Spain | 3% – 6% | Seller (usually) | Buyer rarely pays. |
| Portugal | 5% – 6% | Seller | Often includes VAT. |
| UK | 1% – 3.5% | Seller | Lower rates due to competition. |
| Netherlands | 1% – 2% | Seller | Competitive market. |
| Belgium | 3% – 5% | Seller | Varies by region and agency. |
| Australia | 1% - 3% | Seller | NSW 1.8%, VIC 1.6%, QLD 2.45%, WA 2.4%, SA 2%, NT 2.5%, TAS 3.5% |
| Sweden | 1.5% – 4% | Seller | Rates have decreased in recent years. |
| Malta | 3.5% – 5% + VAT | Seller or split | Often 5% standard, negotiable. |
| Canada | 3%-6% | Seller | Usually split 50/50 between the seller's agent and buyer's agent. Commission is negotiable. |
| USA | 5%-6% | Seller | Rates vary by state.Typically split between buyer's and seller's agents. |
| Austria | 3% + VAT | Buyer and/or Seller | Often the buyer pays the fee. |
| New Zealand | 2.5% - 4% + GST | Seller | Tiered structure is common. |
| Greece | 3% - 8% | Seller | Commission vary depending on location and property value. |
| Switzerland | 3% -5% + VAT | Seller | Rates can be fixed-fee for lower-priced properties. |
| UAE | 2% - 5% | Seller | Negotiable depending on agnency and property. |
| Cyprus | 3% - 8% | Seller | Seller always pays. |
| Singapore | 1% to 2%. | Split | It is sometimes split with the buyer. |
| Hong Kong | 1% to 2%. | Split | It is sometimes split with the buyer. |
| China | 2% | Piad by seller, rates now often around 2% | |
| Japan | 3% | Paid by buyer and seller. |
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Negotiable: Commissions are often negotiable depending on location, agency, and property value.
- VAT: Some countries include VAT in the commission; others add it on top.
- Who Pays?: It varies — in some countries, both buyer and seller share the fee, while in others, only one party pays.
Rental Property Agent Commission Rates
Real estate agent commissions for rentals vary widely by country and are usually charged as a percentage of the monthly rent or as a multiple of the monthly rent (e.g., one month’s rent).
| Country | Typical Commission | Paid By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1 month’s rent + VAT (max) | Tenant + Landlord | Capped by law for residential rentals. |
| Germany | 2 months’ rent + VAT (max) | Tenant (if they request agent); otherwise Landlord | “Bestellerprinzip” applies – the one who hires the agent pays. |
| Italy | 10%–15% of annual rent OR 1 month’s rent | Split between Tenant & Landlord | Varies by region and agent. |
| Spain | 1 month’s rent | Tenant or Landlord | Usually tenant, but varies by region. |
| Portugal | 1–2 months’ rent | Usually Landlord | May also charge tenant depending on situation. |
| UK | 0.5 – 1 month’s rent | Landlord (since 2019) | Tenants cannot be charged fees in most cases. |
| Netherlands | 1 month’s rent | Landlord or Tenant | Now more commonly paid by landlord. |
| Belgium | 1 month’s rent | Usually Landlord | Customary, but can vary. |
| Austria | Up to 2 months’ rent + VAT | Tenant (residential) | Regulated maximum. |
| Sweden | No tenant commission (for regulated rentals) | Landlord | Rentals mostly through government or regulated platforms. |
| Malta | 50% of 1 month’s rent (tenant) + 50% (landlord) | Split | Common practice, but can vary based on agent. |
| Canada | 1 full mouth's rent + tax | Landlord | In major markets like Toronto or Vancouver, it's standars that landlords cover this. |
| USA | Usually half a month's rent per agent, or 2-6 of annual rent | Landlord in most market | NYC's new FARE Act makes landlords responsible for broker fees in most cases. |
| Greece | 0.5-1 mouth's rent | Tenant | most agency expect tenant to pay one mouth's rent as commission. |
| Switzerland | No fee for tenants | Landlord | It's standard practice for landlords to over agency. |
| Cyprus | 1 month's rent; short-term often fixed | Tenant | For long-term leases, tenants pay one mouth's rent as the aegncy commission. |
| UAE | 5% of annual rent | Landlord | Commission in Dubai is negotiable, especially for long-term. |
Notes
- Residential rentals are increasingly regulated to protect tenants in many countries.
- Commercial rentals often involve higher or separate negotiation-based commissions (typically 10–15% of annual rent or more).
- VAT may be applicable on top of the commission in many countries.
- Short-term rentals (under 6 months) may have different fee structures or flat fees.
