French Notary Fees Calculator: Transfer Tax and Costs

Enter the price of a home or plot in France, old or new build, to estimate transfer taxes, notaire fees, the mortgage guarantee and furniture savings.

French notary fees: simplified formula and a €250,000 example

Notary fees on a French property purchase add up transfer duties (about 5.80% of the price for an existing home at the rate used by this tool), the notary's tiered emoluments and formality costs. Expect 7 to 8% of the price for an existing home and 2 to 3% for a new build.

The formula used

The tool adds four items, plus the loan guarantee if you enter a loan amount:

  • Transfer duties = price × 6.32% for an existing home (the increased rate most départements have applied since 1 April 2025), 5.80% for a first-time buyer or in a département that kept its rate, 5.09% at the reduced rate, or price × 0.715% for a new build.
  • Notary emoluments: 3.870% up to €6,500, 1.596% from €6,500 to €17,000, 1.064% from €17,000 to €60,000, 0.799% above, plus 20% VAT.
  • Other costs (disbursements, formalities): flat €1,200 for an existing home, €600 for a new build.
  • Land registry security contribution = 0.10% of the price excluding furniture, at least €15.

Example: existing home at €250,000

  • Transfer duties: 250,000 × 6.32% = €15,800
  • Emoluments: 251.55 + 167.58 + 457.52 + 1,518.10 = €2,394.75 before VAT, €2,874 with VAT
  • Other costs: €1,200
  • Land registry security contribution: €250

Total: €20,124, i.e. 8.0% of the price and a total outlay of €270,124 (€18,824 at the 5.80% first-time buyer rate). The same home bought new costs €5,511 in fees (2.2%).

Limits

Furniture sold with the property is deducted from the base of the transfer duties and of the security contribution, the loan guarantee is counted at 0.8% of the amount borrowed (at least €300), and a notary discount of up to 20% applies to emoluments on the bracket above €100,000. The 6.32% rate reflects a 5% département duty: since 1 April 2025, French départements may raise this duty from 4.5% to 5% for three years, and most have done so. First-time buyers purchasing their main home keep the 5.80% rate, as do buyers in a département that did not raise it: pick that rate in the list. This is an estimate; only the notary issues the final statement.

Sources and dates: notary sale fee scale in the French Commercial Code, 2021 tariff extended until 29 February 2028 by an order published on 28 February 2026 (notaires.fr); French Finance Act for 2025 (Law 2025-127 of 14 February 2025, article 116), increase allowed from 1 April 2025 (service-public.gouv.fr); French General Tax Code, article 879, for the land registry security contribution (checked 14/10/2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are notary fees on a €200,000 existing home in France?

At the increased 6.32% rate most départements apply: €12,640 in transfer duties, €2,394 in emoluments including VAT, €1,200 in other costs and €200 of land registry security contribution, i.e. €16,434 (8.2% of the price). For a first-time buyer at 5.80%, the total drops to €15,394 (7.7%).

Why are notary fees lower on a new build?

The price of a new home already includes 20% VAT, so transfer duties drop to 0.715% instead of 6.32% (or 5.80% for a first-time buyer). For €250,000, the tool shows €5,511 in fees for a new build (2.2%) against €20,124 for an existing home (8.0%).

Did French notary fees go up in 2025?

Yes, for most buyers: since 1 April 2025, French départements may raise their duty from 4.5% to 5% for three years (Finance Act for 2025). The overall rate goes from 5.80% to 6.32%, about €1,300 more on €250,000. First-time buyers purchasing their main home are exempt: the tool applies 6.32% by default and offers 5.80% for them.

How much of the notary fees does the notary actually keep?

On a €250,000 existing home, the notary's emoluments are €2,874 including VAT out of €20,124, about 14%. Nearly 79% of the total is transfer duties paid to the département, the municipality and the State.

Does deducting furniture really lower French notary fees?

Yes, on transfer duties and the land registry security contribution: the tool computes them on the price minus the furniture. With €8,000 of furniture in an existing home, the saving on duties is 8,000 × 6.32% = €506 (€464 at the 5.80% rate), and the contribution falls by €8. The items must really be sold and listed in the deed.

Can the notary give a discount on emoluments?

Yes, up to 20%, and only on the part of the emoluments calculated on brackets of €100,000 and above. For a €400,000 home, a 20% discount cuts emoluments from €4,312 to €3,737 including VAT in the tool.

How much does the mortgage guarantee cost at the notary?

The tool uses a flat 0.8% of the loan, at least €300, i.e. €1,600 for €200,000. The real cost depends on the type of guarantee (mortgage, lender's lien or surety); if you pay cash, leave the loan amount at €0 (the default) and this item does not appear; with a surety company, subtract it from the total yourself.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.