What Are the Notaire’s Fees When Buying a French Property?

If you’re thinking of buying a property in France, you’ve likely come across the term “notaire’s fees” and possibly gasped at how much they seem to add to the purchase price. But what are these fees really, and where does the money go?

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect.

What Is a Notaire?

First, it helps to understand what a notaire is. A notaire in France is a public official, appointed by the government, whose role is to oversee legal transactions including property sales. They ensure that all the paperwork is in order, that taxes are paid, and that the sale is legally binding and correctly registered.

Unlike a solicitor or lawyer in other countries, the notaire acts as a neutral party, working for both buyer and seller (and the state), not just one side.

How Much Are Notaire’s Fees?

When buying a resale (existing) property, notaire’s fees typically range between 7% and 8% of the purchase price. This might sound steep, but the term “notaire’s fees” is a bit misleading because most of this amount isn’t actually going to the notaire.

For new-build properties, the fees are significantly lower usually around 2% to 3% because some of the taxes involved don’t apply.

What Do These Fees Include?

Here’s how that 7–8% breaks down:

1. Taxes and Duties (~5.8%)

The majority of the so-called notaire’s fees — around 80% of the total amount — consists of taxes and duties collected on behalf of the French government. These are known as “droits de mutation”, or transfer taxes, and they vary slightly depending on the location and type of property.

2. Disbursements (~1%)

These are administrative costs the notaire incurs to process the transaction — such as obtaining documents, land registry checks, and postage.

3. The Notaire’s Actual Fee (~1%)

The notaire themselves typically receives around 1% of the purchase price, which is regulated by law. This fee is shared if more than one notaire is involved in the sale (for example, one for the buyer and one for the seller).

Who Pays the Notaire’s Fees?

The buyer is responsible for paying the notaire’s fees. These are in addition to the agreed purchase price and must be paid before the final deed is signed. It's important to factor this into your overall budget when considering a property purchase in France.

Can You Reduce These Costs?

While you can’t negotiate the notaire’s regulated fee or the taxes, there are a couple of ways to reduce the overall cost:

• Negotiate the purchase price excluding furniture: Items like kitchen appliances or furnishings can sometimes be listed separately, as they aren’t subject to transfer tax.

• Buy a new-build property: As mentioned earlier, notaire’s fees are much lower for new constructions.

Final Thoughts

Understanding notaire’s fees is an essential part of budgeting for your French property purchase. While they may seem high at first glance, remember that most of the cost goes to the state, not the notaire themselves. With the right planning — and a good notaire to guide you there should be no surprises on completion day.

Need help navigating the French buying process? We can connect you with trusted notaires and property professionals to make it all a little easier. Just get in touch!