Kees de Jager,  Wednesday, 24 July 2024

 

When buying a property in France, you will inevitably encounter notary fees (frais de notaire). These costs include not only the notary's fee but also various taxes and administrative costs. Here is a detailed overview of what these costs entail and how they are structured.

1. Breakdown of Notary Fees

Notary fees consist of several components:

Registration Tax (Droits de Mutation): This is the largest component of the notary fees and generally ranges between 5% and 5.8% of the purchase price for existing properties. For new builds, this tax is lower, usually around 0.7% to 3%.

Notary's Fee (Emoluments du Notaire): This is the notary's remuneration and is legally regulated. The rates are degressive, meaning the percentage decreases as the purchase price increases.

Administrative Costs (Débours): These costs cover various administrative expenses incurred by the notary, such as costs for obtaining cadastral extracts, mortgage certificates, and other necessary documents. This amount usually ranges between €800 and €1,200.

VAT (TVA): The VAT on notary fees is 20%.

2. Example Calculation

Suppose you buy an existing property for €250,000, the notary fees would be structured as follows:

• Registration Tax: approximately 5.8% of €250,000 = €14,500
• Notary's Fee: depending on the scale, for example, 1.33% of €250,000 = €3.325
• Administrative Costs: estimated at €1,000
• VAT on Notary's Fee: 20% of €3,325 = €665

Total Notary Fees: €14,500 + €3,325 + €1,000 + €665 = €19,490

3. Costs for New Builds

For the purchase of a new build (less than 5 years old and never inhabited), the costs are generally lower:

• Registration Tax: approximately 0.7% to 3%
• Notary's Fee: as mentioned above, but often slightly lower due to the simplicity of the transaction
• Administrative Costs and VAT: similar to existing properties

4. Reductions and Exemptions

There are situations where you can benefit from reduced notary fees:

• New Title Deed (Acte Authentique): When purchasing a new build or under certain reinvestment schemes, the registration taxes can be lower.
• First Purchase: Sometimes there are municipal or regional discounts available for first-time buyers or young buyers.

5. Tips to Optimize Notary Fees

• Compare Notaries: Although the fees are legally fixed, the administrative costs can vary. It is worth consulting several notaries.
• Negotiate: While there is little room for negotiation on the basic fees, some notaries may show flexibility in their administrative charges.
• Cost Transparency: Ask the notary for a detailed cost estimate before the purchase, so you know exactly what to expect.

6. Role of the Notary

The notary in France plays a crucial role in the transfer of ownership. They ensure that the transaction is legal and correct by:

• Checking Property Titles: Ensuring that the seller is the legitimate owner.
• Drafting Purchase Contracts: Drafting the preliminary purchase contract (compromis de vente) and the final deed (acte authentique).
• Payment of Taxes: Paying the due registration taxes to the government.

By being well-informed about the composition and amount of notary fees, you can be better prepared for the purchase of your property in France. Engaging an experienced notary is essential to ensure the process goes smoothly and legally.



The notary's fee depends on the purchase price of the property. On this page, you will find a handy chart with the percentages per price range. Click on the link for more information. 'De quoi sont composés les frais de notaire ?’


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