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What French notary fees really cost
What is called “notary fees” is barely the notary at all: most of it is tax. Here is the breakdown, on the 2026 scale, for the price you have in mind.
The breakdown, line by line
- Transfer duties (tax)
- Notary fees (incl. VAT)
- Land registration contribution
- Disbursements and formalities
- Total costs
- Share of the price
- Total cost of the acquisition
Indicative estimate on the 2026 scale. The firm figure comes from the notary, on the actual property: it depends on the department, the type of property and the work involved. Nothing is sent to a server, everything is computed in your browser.
What a buyer actually pays
Transfer duties go to the department and the municipality: that is tax, not a fee. On an existing home they make up most of the bill, around 5.80% of the price in the departments applying the raised rate since 2025.
The notary’s own fees follow a regulated, degressive scale: four bands, from 3.87% on the first 6,500 euros to 0.799% above 60,000, plus VAT. On a one-million-euro property they weigh less than 1% of the price.
Add the land registration contribution, 0.10% of the price, and the disbursements, the sums the notary advances for documents and formalities. On a new build, the reduced land publicity tax brings the whole to around 2 to 3%.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 7 to 8% quoted for existing homes?
Because transfer duties, notary fees, the registration contribution and disbursements add up. On an existing flat the total usually lands between 7 and 8% of the price, slightly less on high amounts, the effect of the degressive scale.
Are the costs the same for a non-resident?
Yes: transfer duties and notary fees do not depend on your country of residence. What changes for a non-resident is the work around the deed, the power of attorney if you do not travel, and the transfer of funds.
Can notary fees be negotiated?
The tax, no. The fees, marginally: above 100,000 euros a notary may grant a capped discount on that portion. Most of the bill is therefore not negotiable.
Does the property finder’s fee come on top?
Yes, and it is due on success only. Home Select charges 2.5% of the net purchase price with the Exclusive Offer, or 1.5% with the Confidential Offer for projects of 2 M€ and above: nothing is due until you have bought.
