Notary Fees Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/7/2026
Notary fees average 7 to 8% of the price for an existing property, versus only 2 to 3% for a new build. For an existing property at €250,000, expect about €18,750 in fees, for a total cost of about €268,750.
Explanation
Despite their name, "notary fees" only pay the notary themselves for a small part of the total: the bulk (more than three-quarters) actually consists of transfer taxes (droits de mutation à titre onéreux, DMTO) paid to the département and municipality, plus disbursements (fees paid to third parties, land registry, property advertising) and the notary's own fee, set by a regulated schedule. This mix is what explains the stark gap between existing and new properties: transfer taxes are markedly higher on existing properties than on new ones, where they're offset by the property VAT the developer already paid. This estimate uses national average rates; the exact rate varies slightly from one département to another (several départements have raised their transfer tax rate since 2026), so the final amount quoted by your notary may differ by a few hundred euros. These fees come on top of the property price and must be budgeted for in addition to the down payment used in a loan capacity calculator, just like the cost of borrower's insurance if the purchase is financed with a mortgage.
Example: buying an existing apartment at €250,000
Inputs
Sale price: €250,000. Property type: existing.
Calculation
Notary fees = €250,000 × 7.5% = €18,750. Total cost = €250,000 + €18,750 = €268,750.
Result
You should budget about €18,750 in fees on top of the listed price, for a total budget of about €268,750.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the fees so different between existing and new properties?
Because the heaviest component of these fees — transfer taxes — is calculated differently depending on the property's tax status. A new property (less than 5 years old, never lived in) has already been subject to property VAT when sold by the developer; the transfer taxes added afterward are therefore reduced, unlike an existing property, which hasn't paid any VAT at this stage.
Is this percentage exactly the same everywhere in France?
No. The transfer tax rate is set by each département within a range capped by law, and several départements have raised it since 2026. This calculator uses a representative national average; for an exact amount down to the cent, the official simulator from the French Chamber of Notaries (immobilier.notaires.fr) applies your département's actual rate.
Can notary fees be negotiated?
Transfer taxes and disbursements are fixed, but the notary's own fee follows a regulated schedule that allows a discount of up to 20% on the highest bracket, for large transactions. This discount remains at the notary's discretion and doesn't fundamentally change the total amount for an average-priced purchase.
Do these fees have to be paid all at once, on top of the down payment?
Yes: notary fees are paid when the deed of sale is signed, in addition to the property price. They can sometimes be rolled into the loan amount (a so-called "110% loan"), but not all banks offer this, and it increases the amount to be repaid accordingly.