Notary Fees in France (Frais de Notaire): Complete 2026 Guide
·6 min read
When buying property in France, frais de notaire (notary fees) are a mandatory closing cost that most buyers underestimate. Despite the name, roughly 80% of these fees are taxes collected by the state and local authorities — not the notary's actual fee.
How Much Are Notary Fees?
Old property (ancien)
7–8%
of purchase price
€200K property = ~€15,000 in fees
New property (neuf/VEFA)
2–3%
of purchase price
€200K property = ~€5,000 in fees
Fee Breakdown (Old Property)
| Component | % of price | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer taxes (DMTO) | 5.09–5.81% | Département + Commune |
| Land registry fee | 0.10% | State |
| Notary fees (emoluments) | ~1% | Notary |
| Disbursements | 0.2–0.5% | Various third parties |
Renovation Tip: Buy Cheap, Renovate Smart
Notary fees apply to the purchase price — not to renovation costs. Buying an F/G-rated property at a discount and renovating it with French grants (MaPrimeRénov', Éco-PTZ) can be more cost-effective than buying an already-renovated property at full market price.
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