Notary fees in Paris: how they are calculated

Commonly called "notary fees", they actually include taxes, the notary's emoluments and disbursements. Here is a full breakdown for Paris in 2026.

Notary-fee simulation table

Purchase price	Resale fees	New-build fees	Resale %	New %
300,000 EUR	~24,000 EUR	~9,000 EUR	~8%	~3%
500,000 EUR	~40,000 EUR	~15,000 EUR	~8%	~3%
800,000 EUR	~64,000 EUR	~24,000 EUR	~8%	~3%
1,000,000 EUR	~80,000 EUR	~30,000 EUR	~8%	~3%

Approximate amounts. The actual fees may vary slightly depending on the specifics of the transaction and the notary involved.

What goes into notary fees?

Transfer duties (droits de mutation): around 80% of the total

The largest component is a tax collected by the notary on behalf of the state and the local authority. In Paris, the rate is 5.81% of the purchase price on existing properties. It breaks down as: departmental tax (4.50%), municipal tax (1.20%) and a collection fee for the state (0.107%). On new-build properties, transfer duties fall to around 0.7%.

The notary's emoluments: around 10% of the total

The notary's own fee is set by law and calculated on a sliding scale. On a €500,000 property, the emolument is around €3,900 (excluding VAT). The rates are identical for every notary in France and fall proportionally as the purchase price rises.

Disbursements and formalities: around 10% of the total

These cover the administrative costs: land-registry fees, title searches, copies of documents, postage and third-party certificates. They typically amount to €1,000 to €2,000, regardless of the price of the property.

Existing vs new-build: why the difference?

Existing property (7 to 8%)

The full 5.81% transfer duties apply. This is the standard rate for any property that has already been owned and lived in, and it covers the great majority of Paris transactions.

Example: a €500,000 flat

Transfer duties: around €29,050
Notary's emoluments: around €3,900
Disbursements: around €1,500
VAT on emoluments: around €780
Total: around €35,200 actually charged, just over 7% of the price. Budget around 8% (€40,000) to be safe: the simulation table above uses that prudent envelope.

New build (2 to 3%)

Reduced transfer duties of about 0.7% apply, because the developer has already paid the 20% VAT on the sale. That meaningful saving keeps new builds attractive despite generally higher headline prices.

Example: a €500,000 flat

Transfer duties: around €3,500
Notary's emoluments: around €3,900
Disbursements: around €1,500
VAT on emoluments: around €780
Total: around €9,680 actually charged, about 2% of the price. The simulation table above budgets a prudent ~3% envelope.

A few key things to know

Not borrowable: Notary fees must be paid out of your own funds. Banks will not roll them into your mortgage.
Paid at completion: The funds must reach the notary a few days before completion (the signing of the acte authentique).
Possible refund: The notary estimates the fees upfront. If the actual costs come in lower, the difference is refunded a few months later.
You choose your notary: As the buyer, you are free to choose your own notary. It costs you no more, as the fees are split between the two notaries.

Buying service

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Our fees

2.5% of the purchase price, fees paid only on success.

Price negotiation

Average 6% negotiation on the asking price.

Frequently asked questions

What are the notary fees for buying a property in Paris?

Notary fees in Paris come to around 7 to 8% of the purchase price on an existing property and 2 to 3% on a new build. For a €500,000 existing flat, allow around €40,000 in total notary fees. This figure covers the transfer duties (droits de mutation), the notary's emoluments and various disbursements.

Why are notary fees lower on new-build properties?

New-build properties (sold under the VEFA scheme) benefit from reduced transfer duties of around 0.7%, against 5.81% on existing properties, because the developer has already paid the 20% VAT on the construction. The notary's emoluments and the disbursements are much the same, so total fees come in at around 2 to 3% rather than 7 to 8%.

Can notary fees be negotiated in France?

The transfer-duties element (around 80% of the total) is a fixed tax and cannot be negotiated. Since 2016, however, notaries may grant a discount of up to 20% on their emoluments for transactions above €100,000. In practice, this amounts to a saving of at most a few hundred euros.

When are notary fees paid in Paris?

Notary fees are paid at completion (the signing of the acte authentique), typically two to three months after the preliminary contract (the compromis de vente). The funds must reach the notary's client account a few days before the signing. They cannot be financed through the mortgage and must be paid from your own funds.

What does a French notaire actually do?

A French notaire is a public officer appointed by the state, not a buyer's lawyer. They authenticate the sale, run the legal and title checks, collect the transfer duties on behalf of the state and register the deed. Their fees are fixed by law and identical across France, so you cannot shop around for a cheaper notaire.

Do foreign buyers pay higher notary fees in Paris?

No. Notary fees are the same for everyone: around 7 to 8% on an existing property and 2 to 3% on a new build, with no surcharge based on nationality or residency. Non-residents buy on the same terms as French residents; the only practical difference is financing, where banks ask non-residents for a 20 to 30% deposit.

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