Real-Estate Agency Commissions in Serbia
How much the commission is, who pays it, what it includes and how to negotiate — no surprises at signing.
What is the average commission
In Serbia the standard real-estate agency commission is 2–4% of the agreed price, plus VAT (20%). It depends on the transaction:
- Sale of an apartment or house: 2–3% (on the seller side)
- Buyer search service: 1–2% (on the buyer side, less common)
- Letting (annual lease): 50–100% of one month's rent (one-off)
- Luxury (over €300k): often negotiable, 1.5–2.5%
What is usually included
A quality agency includes in the standard commission:
- A market valuation
- Professional photos and the listing description
- Publishing on relevant portals and its own site
- Screening calls and arranging viewings
- Negotiating with buyers/tenants
- Preparing the preliminary and main contract, up to signing before a notary
Before signing, ask for a written spec of what is included.
Who pays the commission
By law the party that engaged the agency pays. In practice:
- Sale: usually the seller (who signed with the agency)
- Purchase: the buyer only if they asked the agency to find a property
- Letting: usually the tenant, one-off on move-in
VAT on the commission
Agencies charge 20% VAT on the commission. "3% commission" actually means 3% + 20% VAT = 3.6% of the price. Ask for a spec that separates commission from VAT.
How to negotiate
The commission is not fixed. Reasons for a lower rate:
- Value over €300,000 (less work for the same sum)
- Exclusive mandate (less risk for the agency)
- Several properties from one owner
- A buyer is already lined up
A reasonable negotiation is 0.5–1% below the opening offer. Pushing below 1% usually means less marketing effort.
Red flags
- Commission below 1.5% — often little experience or skimping on marketing.
- Commission over 5% — unusual; ask what is included.
- Paying the full commission upfront — it is standard to pay on a successful sale.
- "Cash, no invoice" — avoid; it must go through an invoice with VAT.
- Unclear who pays — must be in writing in the contract before signing.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a real-estate agency commission in Serbia?
Typically 2–4% of the agreed price plus VAT (20%); on a sale usually 2–3% on the seller side. For more expensive properties the rate is often negotiable.
Is VAT charged on the commission?
Yes, 20%. "3% commission" means 3% + 20% VAT = 3.6% of the price. Ask for a spec that separates commission from VAT and goes through an invoice.
Who pays the commission, buyer or seller?
The party that engaged the agency — on a sale usually the seller; on a purchase the buyer only if they asked for a search service. It must be clear in the contract before signing.
This guide is general information and not legal advice. Confirm the specific terms in your agency contract.