How the estimate is worked out
On an existing property, most of what people call notaire fees is tax. Purchase tax (droits de mutation) is about 6.32% of the price in a department charging the 5% rate and about 5.81% where the rate stayed at 4.50%. The notaire’s own fees follow a national scale that falls as the price rises, plus 20% VAT. A land registry contribution (CSI) of 0.10% and disbursements of roughly €800 to €1,500 complete the bill.
On a new build under five years old the price already includes VAT, so the purchase tax is replaced by a reduced 0.715% rate. We apply it to the full price, which slightly overstates it as a cautious estimate.
If you add a mortgage, we estimate the cost of the lender’s security. For an existing property that is usually the hypothèque légale spéciale du prêteur de deniers, which avoids one of the taxes. A new build or works usually needs a conventional hypothèque, which costs more. We also add a bank arrangement fee estimate. Broker fees are not included.
Figures used, with dates and sources
A notaire may discount up to 20% of their scale fees on the part of the price above €100,000, so your final bill can be a little lower. Your notaire confirms the exact amount before completion.