How Much Does It Cost to Sell Property in Chile? Complete Breakdown
How much does it cost to sell a property in Chile?
Selling property in Chile costs the seller approximately 3% to 3.2% of the sale price when using a real estate agent. The largest expense is the agent commission at 2% plus IVA (effectively 2.38%). Notary fees, certificates, and lawyer fees make up the remaining 0.6% to 0.8%. Capital gains tax is zero for most individual sellers under the 8,000 UF lifetime exemption. Without an agent, total costs drop to approximately 0.6% to 0.8%. These percentages apply whether you are selling a house in Coyhaique or land in the Aysen Region.
This guide breaks down every cost with exact figures and includes a worked example on a CLP $100 million (approximately USD $100,000) property.
What is UF and why do Chilean fees use it?
UF (Unidad de Fomento) is Chile’s inflation-indexed unit of account, used for mortgages, legal fees, and real estate transactions. As of March 2026, 1 UF equals approximately CLP $38,000 (roughly USD $38). The value adjusts daily based on the Consumer Price Index. All fee ranges in this guide are expressed in both UF and approximate CLP/USD equivalents.
For a detailed explanation, see our guide to UF.
What are the individual costs?
Real estate agent commission
The largest single cost for most sellers. The standard commission in Chile is 2% of the sale price plus 19% IVA, making the effective rate 2.38%.
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard seller commission | 2% of sale price |
| IVA on commission | 19% (applied to the 2%) |
| Effective rate for seller | 2.38% of sale price |
| Buyer also pays | 2% + IVA (separate cost) |
| Total transaction commission | 4% + IVA (split between parties) |
Negotiation: For high-value properties above 10,000 UF (approximately CLP $380 million or USD $380,000), the commission rate is often negotiable. Some agents will accept 1.5% or even 1% for premium listings.
When it is paid: Commission is typically paid at the notary when signing the deed, or after inscription at the Conservador de Bienes Raices (CBR).
For more on whether you need an agent, see our agent vs. selling independently guide.
Notary fees
The notary authenticates the deed of sale (escritura de compraventa) and verifies identities. Notary fees in Chile are not regulated at fixed rates, so they vary by notary and transaction complexity.
| Service | Cost (UF) | Cost (CLP) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deed of sale (escritura) | 3-5 UF | CLP $114,000-$190,000 | USD $114-$190 |
| Promise of sale (promesa) | 1-2 UF | CLP $38,000-$76,000 | USD $38-$76 |
| Document authentication (protocolizacion) | 0.5-1 UF each | CLP $19,000-$38,000 | USD $19-$38 |
Conservador de Bienes Raices (Property Registry) fees
The CBR registers the ownership transfer. This fee is typically paid by the buyer, but it is useful to understand it since it affects the total transaction cost.
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Inscription fee | 0.2% of the sale price |
| Maximum fee cap | CLP $264,200 |
| Processing time | Approximately 20 business days |
Note: In the Aysen Region, the CBR de Coyhaique handles most property registrations. Processing times may be slightly longer than Santiago.
Certificates
You need approximately 14 documents to sell property in Chile. Most certificates cost between CLP $5,000 and CLP $15,000 each. Some are free online.
| Certificate | Cost (CLP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dominio vigente (ownership) | $5,000-$10,000 | From CBR |
| Hipotecas y gravamenes (liens) | $5,000-$10,000 | From CBR |
| Prohibiciones (prohibitions) | $5,000-$10,000 | From CBR |
| Avaluo fiscal (tax appraisal) | Free | Online at sii.cl |
| Deuda de contribuciones (tax debt) | Free | Online at tgr.cl |
| No expropiacion | $5,000-$10,000 | From SERVIU |
| Numero municipal (address) | $5,000-$15,000 | From municipality |
| Carpeta estudio de titulos (title folder) | $30,000-$50,000 | From CBR, 10-year history |
| Matrimonio/estado civil | $2,000-$5,000 | From Registro Civil |
| Total certificates | $70,000-$130,000 | Approximately USD $70-$130 |
For the full document checklist, see our documents guide.
Lawyer fees
A lawyer handles the title study (estudio de titulos) and may also draft the deed of sale. Lawyer fees are not regulated in Chile and vary based on complexity.
| Service | Cost (UF) | Cost (CLP) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title study | 5-15 UF | CLP $190,000-$570,000 | USD $190-$570 |
| Deed drafting (if separate) | 2-5 UF | CLP $76,000-$190,000 | USD $76-$190 |
| Full legal representation | 10-30 UF | CLP $380,000-$1,140,000 | USD $380-$1,140 |
Rural properties with complex titles (common in Patagonia) tend toward the higher end. Urban apartments with clean titles cost less.
Capital gains tax
Most individual sellers owe zero capital gains tax under the 8,000 UF lifetime exemption (approximately USD $300,000 in gains). If you exceed the threshold, you choose from three options: progressive rate (0-40%), average rate, or flat 10%.
For full details, see our capital gains tax guide.
Worked example: selling a CLP $100 million property
Here is a realistic cost breakdown for selling a CLP $100 million (approximately USD $100,000) property with an agent.
| Cost Item | Amount (CLP) | Amount (USD) | % of Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent commission (2% + IVA) | $2,380,000 | $2,380 | 2.38% |
| Notary fees | $150,000 | $150 | 0.15% |
| Certificates | $80,000 | $80 | 0.08% |
| Lawyer (title study + deed) | $400,000 | $400 | 0.40% |
| Capital gains tax | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total seller costs | $3,010,000 | $3,010 | 3.01% |
The buyer separately pays the CBR inscription (CLP $200,000, or 0.2%) and their own agent commission (2% + IVA).
Without an agent, seller costs drop to approximately CLP $630,000 (0.63%). However, you still need a lawyer, and you handle all marketing, showings, and negotiations yourself.
How do costs differ by property type?
| Property Type | Typical Extra Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Houses | Standard costs only | Most straightforward |
| Apartments/condos | Common expense certificate, bylaws | Small additional certificate costs |
| Rural land/farms | SAG certification, water rights transfer, surveyor | Add CLP $100,000-$300,000 |
| Properties with mortgage | Bank cancellation (alzamiento) | 10-15 business days, usually no fee |
For rural land specifics, see our guide to selling rural land in Patagonia.
What costs does the buyer pay?
Understanding the buyer’s costs helps you price your property competitively.
| Buyer Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Agent commission | 2% + IVA (2.38%) |
| CBR inscription | 0.2% (max CLP $264,200) |
| Title study (lawyer) | 5-15 UF |
| Notary (their share) | 1-3 UF |
| Total buyer costs | Approximately 3% |
Combined seller and buyer costs total approximately 6% of the sale price when both parties use agents.
Can I reduce my selling costs?
Several strategies can lower your expenses:
- Sell without an agent: Saves 2.38%. Works best for in-demand locations or when you have direct buyer contacts. See our agent vs. independent selling guide
- Negotiate commission on high-value properties: Above 10,000 UF (~CLP $380 million), agents often accept 1-1.5%
- Gather certificates yourself: Some sellers hire a tramitador (document processor) for CLP $30,000-$50,000 rather than paying lawyer rates for certificate gathering
- Shop notary fees: Fees vary between notaries. In smaller towns like Coyhaique, fees tend to be lower than Santiago
- Use the 8,000 UF tax exemption: Ensure you meet all five conditions to avoid capital gains tax entirely
Ready to sell your property in Patagonia?
Now that you understand the costs, list your property on Propiedades Patagonia for free and reach buyers actively searching for houses, land, and farms across Chilean Patagonia.
For the complete selling process, read our guide to selling property in Patagonia.
Written by
Nicolas GorroñoFounder & Editor
Founder of Patagonia Properties. Grew up in Coyhaique, lived in Australia, and is now back in Patagonia full-time. SEO and digital marketing specialist.
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