The role of the notary in the sale
A notary is a public official authorized to certify acts and contracts, including the purchase of a home and the signing of mortgages. Their work focuses on two aspects:- Certification of legality : The notary ensures that the operation complies with current regulations and that the parties sign freely and consciously.
- Advice and clarification : The notary resolves any doubts about the content of the contract or the legal and financial implications of the transaction.
Notary fees for the purchase of a home.
Although sometimes, when their performance is over, you can say something like "what you do is priceless," the truth is that it is priceless.However, this isn't like a latte, which you can find for eighty cents or for much more. Notary fees are regulated by the [unspecified law], so they are calculated objectively based on the type of document, the value of the transaction, and the number of pages. Main breakdown:
- Purchase deed: 0.2%-0.5% of the property value, with the possibility of a 10% discount
- Mortgage: notary fees, usually covered by the financial institution; the buyer only pays for the copy of the deed.
- Other related expenses include, for example, registration in the Property Registry or associated taxes such as VAT or Transfer Tax. We also find Municipal Capital Gains Tax or Stamp Duty.
Mortgage liability vs. purchase price
It is important to note that the taxable base for notary and registry fees is not necessarily the value of the property, but the mortgage liability, which includes:
- Loan principal
- Interests
- Additional guarantees linked to the mortgage
Scale of notarial fees by tiers
As we mentioned earlier, notary fees cannot be calculated arbitrarily; they are regulated by law and depend on the mortgage liability. This liability includes the loan principal, interest, and any additional guarantees associated with the mortgage.
Below is a table showing the liability brackets and approximate notary fees, which will allow you to more accurately estimate how much you could pay based on the amount of your mortgage or purchase.
Mortgage liability amount (€) Approximate notary fee (€)
| Mortgage liability tranche (€) | Approximate notary fee (€) |
| 0 – 60,000 | 202 – 274 |
| 60,001 – 100,000 | 274 – 406 |
| 100,001 – 200,000 | 406 – 677 |
| 200,001 – 500,000 | 677 – 1,200 |
| 500,001 – 1,000,000 | 1,200 – 2,000 |
| More than 1,000,000 | According to tariff + agreed percentage |
The process of signing before a notary, step by step
Signing a property deed before a notary is more than just a bureaucratic procedure: it guarantees that the sale and mortgage are carried out legally. Understanding each stage of the process will allow you to anticipate the timeline, prepare the necessary documentation, and understand how the transaction is legally formalized from the initial contact to the final registration in the Property Registry.
- Initial contact with the notary : you agree on a date, you hand over documentation (ID, contract, draft deed).
- Preliminary review : the notary checks that the transaction and documentation comply with the law.
- Signing of the deed : reading, clarification of doubts and signing of the parties.
- Issuance of copies : the notary delivers certified copies.
- Registration in the Property Registry : the final registration is carried out to make the sale official.
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Case studies
To make all the information about notary fees and expenses easier to apply, we will look at concrete examples of calculating fees, registration and copies of the deed in different housing price scenarios.
This way, you can practically understand how much you should budget based on the value of your transaction.
Example 1: €150,000 house
- Mortgage liability: €120,000
- Approximate notary fees: €406 – €677
- Copies of the deed: €20-30
- Registration and Stamp Duty: ~€800
Estimated total: €1,226 – €1,507
Example 2: €350,000 house
- Mortgage liability: €300,000
- Approximate notary fee: €677 – €1200
- Copies of the deed: €20 – €50
- Registration and Stamp Duty: ~€1600
Estimated total: €2297–2850
Who is responsible for paying the notary fees?
The responsibility for paying notary fees depends on the type of transaction. In the case of a home purchase , these fees are usually borne by the seller, unless the buyer requests additional copies of the deed.
In the case of a mortgage , the notary fees are generally covered by the financial institution, while the client only pays the cost of the copies of the deed.
Finally, it's important to know that the consumer has the right to choose their notary, even though the financial institution may recommend one. If you use the institution's notary, you'll likely benefit from a faster process and they will probably be more familiar with the transaction.
Undoubtedly, a notary is key to ensuring the legality and security of real estate transactions and mortgage signings. Understanding their fees, the complete process, and how they are calculated will allow you to plan your expenses when buying a house and avoid surprises.
