Notary fees on a €500,000 purchase in France (2026): when the notary discount matters
The first price at which the discount on emoluments is worth hundreds of euros.
Checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy
On a €500,000 house or large flat in a 5% département, French notary fees come to €38,271. The notary’s emoluments account for €5,271 incl. VAT, enough for the discount allowed by the Commercial Code to become worthwhile: up to 20% on the part of the emoluments calculated above €100,000, a saving of up to €767 incl. VAT if the office offers it. First-time buyer status saves more, €2,559, and a new-build purchase would bring the fees down to €10,253. At this level the loan guarantee costs, outside this calculation, also become worth negotiating, just like the interest rate on the loan. The calculator below lets you enter the discount your notary grants and see its exact effect on the emoluments and on the total.
Estimated notary fees · Paris
€38,271
7.65 % of the price · Overall transfer tax rate 6.319 %
| Transfer tax · 5.00 %, rate raised to 5% (2025-2028 increase) | €31,593 |
| Notary emoluments (incl. VAT) | €5,271 |
| Formalities (incl. VAT) | €408 |
| Land registry contribution (CSI) · 0.10 % | €500 |
| Disbursements | €500 |
| Total | €38,271 |
First-time buyer: €2,559 less transfer tax.
Asking for the discount
The discount is not a case-by-case rebate. An office that offers it sets a rate by type of deed and price band, displays it and applies it to every client in the same situation. On €500,000 the eligible part of the emoluments is €3,196 excl. VAT; a 20% discount takes off €639 excl. VAT. Ask at the first contact: the answer is in the office’s displayed scale.
Loan costs, the other line to watch
On a large loan, the guarantee weighs: a mortgage or lender’s lien means a separate notarial deed with its own emoluments, tax and land registry contribution, while a guarantee from a specialist body follows its own pricing. These are not acquisition costs, but they are added to the notary’s call for funds. Compare loan offers with the guarantee included.
Fees on €500,000 by département and situation
| Département | Resale | First-time buyer | New build | Share of price (resale) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris (5%) | €38,271 | €35,711 | €10,253 | 7.65 % |
| Alpes-Maritimes (4.50%) | €35,711 | €35,711 | €10,253 | 7.14 % |
| Indre (3.80%) | €32,129 | €32,129 | €10,253 | 6.43 % |
| Réunion (5%, overseas scale) | €39,444 | €36,885 | €11,426 | 7.89 % |
Other prices: €100,000 purchase · €150,000 purchase · €200,000 purchase · €250,000 purchase · €300,000 purchase · €400,000 purchase · €1,000,000 purchase.