For sellersTips and choices
Sell with an agent or on your own in Egypt? Commission, contracts and how to choose
Feinh Editorial TeamChecked on · 4 min read
The short answer
Selling on your own saves the commission; a good agent saves you time and usually reaches the right buyer faster. In Egyptian resales the commission is set freely in a written contract and is commonly around 2.5% of the price, paid by the seller. Since 25 July 2026 brokers must be registered with GOEIC, so ask to see the broker's card before you sign.
Key numbers
- About 2.5%Common resale commission, paid by the seller and negotiable
- 25 July 2026Deadline for brokers to register with GOEIC
- EGP 10,000Commissions above this must be paid through a bank
- Up to 2 yearsPrison for brokering while unregistered
In this guide (7)
The real choice
Selling on your own saves the commission. Selling with a good agent saves you time and usually helps you reach the right buyer faster. Neither is always right. It depends on your home, your time, and whether you're in Egypt to handle viewings and paperwork yourself.
| With an agent | On your own | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | A commission you agree in writing, commonly around 2.5% of the price in resales | No commission |
| Pricing | A valuation based on recent sales the agent knows | You research comparable homes yourself |
| Buyers | The agent's own buyers, plus your listing | Buyers who find your listing |
| Viewings | Arranged, screened and attended by the agent | You arrange and attend each one |
| Negotiation | Handled by someone with no emotional stake | You negotiate directly |
| Paperwork | The agent coordinates the arboun, contract and handover | You and your lawyer manage it |
| Best for | Busy owners, owners abroad, higher-value homes | Owners with time, local knowledge and a clean file |
What a good agent actually does
A good agent earns their fee in five places:
- The price. They value your home against what similar homes have actually sold for, not only what others are asking. Our guide to pricing your property explains how.
- The listing. Photos, description and the right audience. See preparing your home for sale.
- The buyers. They screen people before viewings, so you don't open your door to the curious or the unqualified.
- The negotiation. They keep talks moving and put every offer in writing.
- The closing. They coordinate the arboun, the final contract, the developer's transfer and the handover, with your lawyer.
Brokers must now be registered
Real estate brokerage in Egypt is regulated by Law 120 of 1982 as amended by Law 21 of 2022, with implementing rules issued in 2025 and 2026. The deadline for brokers to comply passed on 25 July 2026. What that means for you:
- Brokers must be registered with the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC). Individuals can't register alone; they work through a registered company, which can be a single-person company.
- Working unregistered is a crime, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of EGP 50,000 to 1,000,000.
- You can ask to see the broker's card. GOEIC publishes a weekly list of registered brokers.
- The brokerage contract must be in writing, and it should state the commission.
- Commissions above EGP 10,000 must be paid through a bank, not in cash.
Commission: what's normal and what's negotiable
No law sets the commission. The law leaves the rate to you and the agent, in a written contract. In resales, about 2.5% paid by the seller is the figure cited most often, though published ranges run from about 1% to 3%, and some brokers also charge the buyer 2.5%. In the new-project market, developers usually pay the broker and the buyer pays nothing.
What to agree in writing:
- The rate and when it's earned: usually on signing the final contract, not on the arboun alone.
- Who pays: you, the buyer, or both, and how much each.
- What happens if you find the buyer yourself.
- How long the mandate lasts, and how you can end it.
Exclusive or open mandate?
An exclusive mandate gives one agent the sole right to sell for a set period. An open mandate lets you work with several agents, and sell yourself, at the same time.
| Exclusive | Open | |
|---|---|---|
| Agent's effort | Usually higher: they know they'll be paid if it sells | Often lower: whoever closes first earns the fee |
| Your listing | One clear listing, one price | Several listings, sometimes at different prices |
| Control | One person to manage | You coordinate everyone |
| Risk | You're tied to one agent for the period | Buyers may see the same home many times and wonder why |
If you choose exclusive, keep the period short, two to three months is reasonable, and write in what the agent will do: photos, listings, weekly updates.
How to compare agents
- Ask up to three for a valuation. On Feinh's sell page you can compare local agents side by side and ask up to three for a free valuation, through us, so your details aren't scattered.
- Look at their reply time. Feinh measures and shows how fast each agent answers enquiries.
- Ask how they reached their price. A good agent shows you comparable homes. Be wary of the highest figure if it isn't explained; it may be a way to win your listing.
- Read the contract before you sign it, and keep a copy.
You can see every verified agent in your area on Feinh's agent pages.
Selling on your own, the right way
If you sell yourself, you take on every job an agent would do. You'll need:
- A realistic price, based on comparable homes.
- A strong listing. You can list your property on Feinh, free during our launch. Our team checks it like every other home: authority to sell, price, photos, size and availability, before it goes live.
- Time for viewings, and a safe way to run them.
- A lawyer for the arboun agreement and the final contract.
- Your documents ready. See the documents you need to sell.
Every enquiry about a home on Feinh comes through our system first, with the buyer's name and mobile, so you know who's asking before you call back.
Questions people ask
How much is the real estate broker commission in Egypt?
No law sets it: the rate is agreed freely in a written brokerage contract. In resales, about 2.5% paid by the seller is the figure cited most often, though published ranges run from about 1% to 3%, and some brokers also charge the buyer. In new projects the developer usually pays the broker.
Do real estate brokers in Egypt need a license?
Yes. Under Law 21 of 2022 amending Law 120 of 1982, brokers must be registered with GOEIC, and the deadline to comply passed on 25 July 2026. Brokering while unregistered is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of EGP 50,000 to 1,000,000.
Should I give my agent an exclusive contract?
An exclusive mandate usually gets more effort from one agent and keeps your home at one price on the market, but ties you to that agent. If you choose it, keep it short, two to three months, and write down what the agent will do.
Can I sell my apartment in Egypt without a broker?
Yes. You'll need a realistic price, a good listing, time for viewings, a lawyer for the contracts and your documents ready. You can list on Feinh free during our launch, and our team checks your listing before it goes live.
How do I know if a real estate agent is legitimate?
Ask for their GOEIC broker card, get a written brokerage contract and check their number on Feinh Verify. Never pay commission in cash above EGP 10,000; the law requires payment through a bank.
Your next step
See verified agents in your area and how fast they reply.
Sources and review
- Cairo24: GOEIC head on broker registration, penalties and rules (Arabic) (checked 23-10-2026)
- Invest-Gate: Ministerial Decision 578 of 2025 on the broker registry (checked 23-10-2026)
- LeadsEstate: real estate broker commission in Egypt (checked 23-10-2026)
- Global Property Guide: Egypt taxes and costs (checked 23-10-2026)
- Feinh: how we check listings and verify agents (checked 23-10-2026)
Written by the Feinh Editorial Team and checked against these sources on 23-10-2026.
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the figures for your case with a lawyer or the relevant authority before you sign or pay. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
