It's one of the first practical questions sellers ask, and a fair one: who pays the estate agent, and how much? On the Costa del Sol the answer is refreshingly straightforward, with a couple of things worth knowing.
Who pays
As across Spain, the agent's fee is customarily paid by the seller of the property. The exact terms come down to the agreement between seller and agent, but that's the standard starting point — and it means buyers can generally search without worrying about carrying a commission themselves.
How much
Fees are typically expressed as a percentage of the sale price, plus VAT. On the Costa del Sol the customary figure is around 5% plus VAT, though on higher-value or more complex sales it's often negotiable and can differ.
What to keep in mind
If you're selling, treat the commission as part of your selling costs when you work out your net proceeds — so the figure you have in mind is the figure you actually keep. And whatever you agree, get it in writing. Clear terms up front are how you avoid misunderstandings later. As always, I'd rather everything be transparent from the start — it's how a sale stays calm.
