Understanding Notary Fees

Updated on Thursday 6 March 2025

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Understanding Notary Fees

Updated on Thursday 19 March 2026

Notary tariffs: emoluments and fees

The amount that one pays to the notary, which we commonly and improperly call "notary fees" actually includes taxes (approx. 8/10th of fees), disbursement (1/10th of fees) and notary’s compensation (1/10th of fees).

Updated on Wednesday 11 February 2026

Property purchase: acquisition costs (known as French notaire's fees)

The acquisition costs, improperly called “French notaire's fees”, are added to the purchase price of the real property. Generally, they are settled by the purchaser but not received by the seller or the Notary for their greater share.

Updated on Tuesday 25 November 2025

Cost of buying a house : Conveyancing fees

During a real estate purchase, the buyer must pay taxes and additional fees at the selling price. In the new market, these fees amount to 2 to 3% of the selling price. We are talking about "reduced fees" or "reduced notaire fees".

A question ? Need help ?

Je devais consentir une donation-partage à mes 3 enfants. Mon notaire a préparé l’acte mais finalement 2 de mes enfants ont refusé de le signer. Le notaire me demande de régler ses émoluments au titre de « l’acte imparfait ». De quoi s’agit-il ? The imperfect deed is the deed…

In the case of an exchange, the notary’s fees are calculated based on the asset with the highest value. In this case, your apartment (Art. A444-117 Commercial Code).

Yes. For a mortgage to be valid it must be executed by notarial deed (Civil Code, Article 2409). The notary handles registration and publication with the land registry service. The mortgage then becomes enforceable against third parties. The notary must practice in France if the property is located in France…

Yes. The French Commercial Code (Articles A444-53 et seq.) sets out the notary’s fees, known as emoluments, which represent the notary’s remuneration. However, the total cost of a donation deed includes several other components: Registration duties (droits d’enregistrement) payable to the tax authorities; Value Added Tax (VAT) applicable to certain…

Yes. All property purchases require a notarial deed. The notary updates the land registry to secure and enforce the transaction (Civil Code, Article 1583).

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Understanding Notary Fees

Understanding Notary Fees

Notary tariffs: emoluments and fees

Property purchase: acquisition costs (known as French notaire's fees)

Cost of buying a house : Conveyancing fees

A question ? Need help ?

I had to make a donation-partage to my 3 children. My notary prepared the deed but in the end 2 of my children refused to sign it. The notary is asking me to pay his fees under the "imperfect act". What is it about?

I am exchanging apartments with my neighbor, who owns a studio. The studio is worth less than my apartment. How are the notary fees calculated?

I am taking out a loan, and the bank requires a mortgage to be registered on my property. For cost reasons I would like the bank to handle the formalities. My notary says this is impossible. Is that true?

I asked my notary for the cost of a donation deed concerning a real estate property. The amount he quoted does not match the fee schedule I found in the French Commercial Code. Is this normal?

Must I use a notary to buy my neighbor’s land?