Dutch real estate agent fees jump 10% in one year, Amstelveen most expensive
Hiring a real estate agent in the Netherlands has become 10 percent more expensive over the past year, with the average cost to sell a home now 5,800 euros. That is an increase of 1,400 euros compared to four years ago, roughly a third higher than in 2021, according to a study by Krib.nl.
Amstelveen emerged as the most expensive city for sellers, with average agent fees of 7,200 euros, nearly double the 3,700 euros charged in Heerlen, the cheapest city. Among the four largest cities, Amsterdam had the highest average cost at 6,600 euros.
The research, which analyzed 23,000 offers from real estate agents to prospective sellers and buyers, found that agents affiliated with realtor association NVM charge the highest fees, averaging 500 euros more than those from Vastgoed Nederland or independent agents.
Krib CEO Antoine Steenkamer said flat fees are declining in popularity. “The fixed fee came up during the credit crisis as an alternative to the traditional commission. Now working with a percentage of the sale price is becoming popular again,” he said. Previously, one in four agents offered fixed rates, but now only one in five do.
The study found that the fee increase is not solely due to rising home prices. The average commission percentage for agents rose from 1.14 percent to 1.16 percent, continuing a five-year trend of gradual growth.
Additionally, for the first time, Krib.nl published data on buyer agents. Hiring a purchase agent now costs an average of 4,400 euros, a 13 percent increase over last year.
Krib.nl’s findings are based on the responses of more than 600 agents listed on its platform, which tracks and publishes real estate service fees across the country annually.
The Dutch housing market remains generally tight. Existing home prices rose by an average of 8.6 percent last year compared with 2024, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Land Registry reported. In December, home prices increased 5.8 percent from the same month the previous year.
