Estate agent commission in Switzerland: how much is the usual fee?
How much does the estate agent’s commission cost when selling a house in Switzerland? Who pays? And when is no commission due? Comparis summarises the most important information about estate agent commission.
28.07.2026
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1. How much does an estate agent cost?
In German-speaking Switzerland, the estate agent’s commission is usually 2% to 3% of the sale price achieved. In addition to the sale price, the commission also depends on the type of property, its location and the package of services provided by the property specialist.
Single-family houses and condominiums: 2% to 3%
Apartment buildings: 1.5% to 2%
Grund plots of land: around 5%
Special properties: individually agreed rates
The higher the sale price, the lower the percentage rate is usually.
Good to know: A judge can reduce excessively high agent commissions.
Get an estimate of the selling price of your property
With the Comparis property valuation, you can get a first impression of the approximate selling price of your home.
How are estate agent fees made up?
Estate agents perform a wide range of tasks. These include:
Depending on what is agreed, this results in additional costs. However, professional estate agents do not charge any extra costs for standard agent services.
Is VAT payable on the estate agent commission?
Yes. In Switzerland, estate agent services are subject to VAT and are taxed at the standard rate of 8.1% (as of 1 January 2024). Prerequisite: The estate agency has an annual turnover of more than 100,000 francs.
2. Can the estate agent’s commission be reduced?
You can negotiate the commission and the scope of services negotiate. Obtain various quotes from property specialists offering similar services in your region. Record any additional costs and the price of the commission in a written brokerage contract fixed.
If you wish, you can take on some tasks yourself, such as the property viewing or the home staging. This reduces the costs of working with an agent. However, doing things yourself is time-consuming.
Can I deduct estate agent commission from tax?
You can usually claim estate agent commission for property gains tax as a deduction. In the canton of Zurich, for example, it is only deductible if the amount is within the usual limits.
3. Who pays the estate agent fees?
In Switzerland, the seller typically pays – the buyer pays less often. Who pays the commission is ultimately negotiable.
In the case of the same property, estate agents are prohibited from acting for the interests of both the buyer and seller (Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 415). This is regarded as dual agency.
It is usually not permitted and the estate agent loses all rights to commission and reimbursement of expenses. The Exception: The estate agent informs the clients and the dual agency is approved by them. The contract must also be a proof-of-opportunity agency contract.
4. When is the estate agent entitled to commission?
By law, estate agent commission is only owed when the sale contract is concluded owed (Art. 413 para. 1 Swiss Code of Obligations). And this applies only if the contract has come about as a result of the agent’s activities has come into being. The payment is therefore due after the contract has been certified by the notary or the land registry.
What services are required for the estate agent’s commission to be due?
How exactly the agent must have contributed to the conclusion of the sale depends on the agency contract. In theory, there are proof-of-opportunity agents, introducing agents and intermediary agents.
A proof-of-opportunity agent only has to put a buyer and seller in contact to earn their fee. They must be able to prove that they provided an opportunity to conclude the purchase contract (e.g. contract negotiations) (Art. 412 para. 1 Swiss Code of Obligations).
The introducing agent by contrast, the placement broker, as opposed to the proof broker, must establish direct contact between the principal and the third party.
The placement broker must work towards the conclusion of the purchase contract (Art. 412 para. 1 Swiss Code of Obligations).
Are broker’s fees due even if the sale isn’t completed?
Some brokers charge monthly fees of several hundred francs for their services, regardless of whether the sale is successful. Others require a fixed price instead of a commission when the sale is concluded. There may also be charges as soon as you instruct the broker.
If you agreed in the contract on remuneration for the broker’s expenses (e.g. travel expenses)? Then you must pay these costs even if no sale goes through (Art. 413 para. 3 OR).
5. When is no commission due?
You do not owe the broker any commission in these cases:
No sale is concluded: If no purchase contract is concluded, you do not owe the broker any commission.
You have found a buyer yourself: You are not obliged to sell the house to the prospective buyer proposed by the broker. If you find a buyer yourself, no broker’s commission is payable.
The broker fails to comply with their duty of loyalty: If the broker violates their duty of loyalty, they are no longer entitled to the commission (Art. 415 CO). An example of this is dual agency that has not been agreed with the parties.
You terminate the agency contract: You may give the agent notice at any time. If the sale is not due to the agent’s activities, you do not have to pay any commission. Note: When terminating your agency contract there are some pitfalls.
Check alternatives to selling your house through an agent
Would you like to sell your house yourself? Then of course you will not incur any agency fees. selling a house privately however, involves a lot of work Estate agents will take care of this work for you. Find out more about selling property with an agent here: Estate agent tips.
6. FAQs – Frequently asked questions about the estate agent’s commission
The estate agent’s commission is only due when the purchase contract is concluded It becomes due after the notarisation by the notary. There is no entitlement without the conclusion of a sale – unless you have agreed to reimbursement of expenses.
In German-speaking Switzerland, the estate agent’s commission is usually 2% to 3% of the sales price. For expensive properties and multi-family houses, it is often only 1.5% to 2%. The commission is freely negotiable and should be recorded in writing in the estate agent contract.
The estate agent contract itself usually incurs no separate costs – the commission is paid upon a successful sale. However, some estate agency companies secure what is known as reimbursement of expenses. These include, for example, travel expenses, listings or advertising. This reimbursement is due regardless of whether or not a sale goes ahead. However, it must be expressly stated in the contract.
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This article was first published on 24.09.2015
