Korea Real Estate Brokerage Fee Calculator

Based on Annex 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act (revised October 2021). Covers sale, jeonse, and monthly rent — monthly rent is converted to a transaction amount via the statutory formula. The result is the legal maximum; actual fees are negotiable.

Brokerage fee result

Legal maximum brokerage fee

2,000,000₩

Transaction amount: 500,000,000 ₩
Maximum rate: 0.4%

This is the legal maximum. The actual fee can be negotiated lower.

Legal basis (effective 2021-10-19)

Sale: <₩50M 0.6% cap ₩250K / ₩50M–₩200M 0.5% cap ₩800K / ₩200M–₩900M 0.4% / ₩900M–₩1.2B 0.5% / ₩1.2B–₩1.5B 0.6% / ₩1.5B+ 0.7%

Lease: <₩50M 0.5% cap ₩200K / ₩50M–₩100M 0.4% cap ₩300K / ₩100M–₩600M 0.3% / ₩600M–₩1.2B 0.4% / ₩1.2B–₩1.5B 0.5% / ₩1.5B+ 0.6%

Monthly conversion: deposit + rent×100 (use ×70 if total < ₩50M)

Source: Enforcement Rules of the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act [Annex 1], MOLIT (2021-10-19)

Disclaimer: legal maximum only; actual fee is negotiable and may be lower. Local ordinances may subdivide brackets. Verify with a licensed agent.

What this tool does

This calculator finds the legal maximum brokerage fee for Korean real estate transactions — the amount set by Annex 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Licensed Real Estate Agents Act (revised and effective 19 October 2021). The 2021 revision replaced the old flat '0.9% above ₩900M' structure with a tiered system that significantly lowered rates on high-value properties. For sales, the cap ranges from 0.4% to 0.7% depending on the price bracket; for rentals (jeonse and monthly), it ranges from 0.3% to 0.6%. Low-bracket transactions also have hard fee ceilings (₩200K–₩800K). For monthly rent (wolse), the tool first converts to a 'transaction amount' using the statutory formula (deposit + rent × 100, or × 70 if that total is under ₩50M), then applies the rental rate table. The result is the legal maximum — the actual fee is negotiable.

Who uses this

Estimating the brokerage fee before signing an apartment purchase contract
Checking whether an agent's quoted fee is within the legal cap for a jeonse lease
Comparing how different deposit/monthly-rent combinations affect the brokerage cost
Understanding the legal baseline before negotiating the fee down
Calculating total out-of-pocket cost with or without VAT

How to use (3 steps)

1Select the transaction type: sale, jeonse, or monthly rent (wolse).
2Enter the sale price, jeonse deposit, or (for monthly) the deposit and monthly rent. The monthly-rent conversion is automatic.
3Toggle VAT if needed, then click Calculate. You'll see the applicable rate, any cap, and the final fee.

Formula

Sale / jeonse: fee = min(transaction amount × max rate, cap) Monthly rent conversion: amount = deposit + rent × 100 If that total < ₩50M: amount = deposit + rent × 70 → Apply the rental rate table to the converted amount VAT: fee × 10% (only if the agency is a general VAT taxpayer)

Worked examples

₩500M apartment purchase

₩500M falls in the sale bracket ₩200M–₩900M → max rate 0.4%, no cap. ₩500M × 0.4% = ₩2,000,000. With VAT: ₩2,200,000. Negotiating below ₩2M is common and perfectly legal.

₩300M jeonse

₩300M falls in the rental bracket ₩100M–₩600M → max rate 0.3%, no cap. ₩300M × 0.3% = ₩900,000. With VAT: ₩990,000.

₩10M deposit + ₩500K/month wolse

Converted amount: ₩10M + ₩500K × 100 = ₩60M (≥ ₩50M → use × 100). ₩60M falls in the rental bracket ₩50M–₩100M → max rate 0.4%, cap ₩300K. ₩60M × 0.4% = ₩240K < ₩300K cap → cap doesn't apply. Fee: ₩240,000.

Frequently asked questions

Do both buyer and seller (or both landlord and tenant) pay the fee?

Yes. Each party pays their own agent separately. Even if one agent handles both sides (dual agency), each side pays independently.

Can I negotiate below the legal maximum?

Yes. The statutory rate is a ceiling — paying above it is illegal, but agreeing to less is fine and common. Settle on a figure before signing and have it written into the contract.

Is VAT always added on top?

No. VAT applies only if the agency is a 'general VAT taxpayer' (annual sales ≥ ₩80M). Agencies below that threshold (simplified taxpayers) cannot charge VAT. Confirm the agency's tax status before signing.

How do I know whether to use × 70 or × 100 for monthly rent?

First compute deposit + rent × 100. If that figure is ₩50M or more, use it as-is (multiplier = 100). If it's below ₩50M, recompute as deposit + rent × 70. This rule is written into Annex 1 of the Enforcement Rules.

Is the fee based on the actual contract price or the assessed value?

The actual contract price (the price written in the sale or lease agreement), not the assessed or market value. Enter the real transaction amount.

Can local governments set different rates?

Yes. Cities and provinces may subdivide brackets above ₩900M or set lower rates by ordinance. This calculator reflects only the national legal maximum — check the local ordinance for your area before signing.

Cautions

•This tool shows the legal maximum fee. The actual brokerage fee is negotiable and may be lower.
•Local (city/province) ordinances may subdivide brackets above ₩900M — check your area before signing.
•VAT applicability depends on the agency's tax status (general vs. simplified taxpayer). Confirm before signing.
•This is a reference tool, not legal or tax advice. Verify with a licensed agent or legal professional before completing any transaction.

Last reviewed: 2025-06-24