Notary Fees Calculator 2026
Accurately estimate the total cost of your real estate acquisition based on price, property type and department.
How are notary fees calculated?
How are notary fees calculated?
Notary fees, also called "acquisition fees", represent all the amounts to be paid when purchasing real estate, in addition to the property price. Contrary to popular belief, most of these fees do not go to the notary but to the State and local authorities.
The amount of fees varies considerably according to two main criteria:
Existing property
Fees represent approximately 7-8% of the purchase price. The majority consists of transfer duties (about 5.8%) collected by the department and municipality.
New property (off-plan)
Fees are reduced to approximately 2-3% of the purchase price. Since VAT has already been paid, only a land registration tax of 0.715% applies.
Detailed breakdown of notary fees
Detailed breakdown of notary fees
Transfer duties
Taxes collected by the State, department and municipality. This is the largest component of fees.
≈ 80-85% of total fees
Notary fees
Notary fees calculated according to a degressive schedule set by ministerial order (art. A444-91 of the French Commercial Code). The rate decreases with property price.
≈ 10-12% of total fees
Disbursements
Administrative fees advanced by the notary: cadastre, surveyor, mortgage registry, deed extracts...
≈ 4-5% of total fees
Land security contribution
0.1% tax on the purchase price collected by the State to finance the real estate registry.
0.1% of purchase price
Reduced rate departments: save on your fees
Reduced rate departments: save on your fees
Since the 2025 Finance Act (art. 116), 89 departments have raised their departmental rate to 5.00%. 11 departments are at 4.50% — Mayotte joined them on 1 June 2026 — and Indre is the only one still on the 3.80% statutory default.
Savings achieved
For an existing property of €250,000 in Indre (3.80%), the only department on the reduced rate, savings are approximately €3,000 compared to the 5% rate. In the 11 departments at 4.50%, savings are approximately €1,250.
Primary residence exemptions (2025-2026)
Some departments offer DMTO exemption or allowance for primary residence purchases (articles 1594 F ter and F septies of the French Tax Code):
- •Calvados (14): €46,000 allowance on taxable base (Art. 1594 F ter), all buyers, standard rate of 5.00%
- •Savoie (73): Reduced rate of 4.00% for first-time buyers only (Art. 1594 F septies), 5-year occupancy commitment
⚠️ These benefits are subject to conditions (occupancy commitment, property destination, etc.). Check your eligibility with your notary.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the notary fees?
Who pays the notary fees?
Can you negotiate notary fees?
Can you negotiate notary fees?
What is the difference between notary fees and emoluments?
What is the difference between notary fees and emoluments?
Are notary fees higher in Île-de-France?
Are notary fees higher in Île-de-France?
Can I include notary fees in my mortgage?
Can I include notary fees in my mortgage?
Disclaimer
The results provided by this calculator are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice, a credit offer, or a recommendation to buy or sell. The amounts displayed are estimates based on the data entered and current tax schedules. For an accurate calculation tailored to your personal situation, consult a qualified professional (notary, banker, tax advisor, accountant).
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