Understanding Notary Fees

Updated on Thursday 25 June 2026

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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 ?

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).

No. No legal provision requires a notary to be involved in the sale of a business. However, the sale must comply with Articles L141-1 to L141-22 of the French Commercial Code, which impose strict formal requirements. It is therefore strongly recommended to use a notary.

In such a case, the notary’s fees for drafting the deed of exchange will be calculated on the higher value of the two apartments (Article A.444-117 of the French Commercial Code).

No. When the mandate is established in authentic form, the law requires the agent to render his accounts and all "useful supporting documents" to the drafting notary of said mandate (article 491 of the Civil Code).

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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 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?

I want to sell my business. Am I required to use a notary?

I have decided to exchange my apartment with that of my neighbour. On what basis will the notary’s fees be calculated?

Under a future protection mandate established by the notary of my father (who has since been diagnosed with Alzheimer's), I have become his agent. Is it possible for me to account for my management to my own notary?