Buying new-build divides notary fees by about three: 2 to 3% of the price versus 7 to 8% for older homes. Enter the price and the property type to estimate the amount, with a breakdown of duties, fees and disbursements.
- As a share of the price—
- Transfer duties—
- Notary's fees (incl. VAT)—
- Property security contribution—
- Disbursements—
Indicative estimate based on the national fee scale. The exact amount is set by the notary at the time of signing.
Why are the fees reduced for new-build?
The gap comes from a single item: transfer duties. For older homes this duty reaches 5.80 to 6.30% of the price depending on the department (many raised it in 2025); for new-build it falls to 0.715%. The notary’s pay and the other fees stay the same. That is why an identical home costs far less in fees when it is new.
How are notary fees calculated?
The calculator adds four items:
- Transfer duties: 0.715% of the price for new-build, 5.80 to 6.30% for older homes depending on the department.
- Notary’s fees: a national sliding scale (3.870%, then 1.596%, 1.064% and 0.799%), plus 20% VAT.
- Property security contribution: 0.10% of the price.
- Disbursements: a few hundred euros of advanced costs.
Worked example
For a new apartment at 300,000 €, notary fees are around 6,200 €, about 2.1% of the price: 2,145 € of transfer duties, 3,350 € of fees including VAT, 300 € of property security contribution and 400 € of disbursements. The same property as an older home would cost nearly 23,800 € in fees (about 7.9%), a gap of more than 17,000 € explained solely by the transfer duties.
How to cut the bill further?
Beyond the new-build advantage, the notary can grant up to 20% off their fees above 100,000 €. Also include these fees from the budgeting stage: they are usually not financed by the loan. To build your financing plan, estimate your borrowing capacity and your monthly payments, and read our guide on financing a new home.
Frequently asked questions
How much are notary fees for new-build?
For new-build, notary fees represent around 2 to 3% of the purchase price, versus 7 to 8% for older homes. On a 300,000 € home, that is about 6,000 to 9,000 € for new-build, versus 21,000 to 24,000 € for an older property.
How are notary fees calculated?
They add four items: transfer duties (0.715% for new-build, around 5.80% for older homes), the property security contribution (0.10%), the notary’s fees on a sliding scale, and disbursements. Only the transfer duties explain the gap between new-build and older homes.
Are notary fees negotiable?
Since 2021, the notary can grant up to 20% off their fees on the share of the price above 100,000 €. Transfer duties and the property security contribution, however, are fixed and non-negotiable.