Fees and Discounts at Our Office

Page last updated on 18 September 2026 — Discount policy decided on 18 September 2026.

1. Legal framework for discounts on statutory fees

Pursuant to the legislative and regulatory provisions governing notaries' remuneration in France (Law No. 2015-990 of 6 August 2015 for growth, activity and equal economic opportunity, known as the "Loi Macron"; Decree No. 2016-230 of 26 February 2016; Order of 26 February 2016, as amended), a notary's ability to grant partial discounts is strictly regulated (see Article A444-174 of the French Commercial Code) :
 

• a partial discount is only possible for services subject to a proportional statutory fee (émolument) ;
• the discount rate is 20% maximum, applicable to the portion of the fee calculated on assessment brackets equal to or above €100,000 ;
• for certain specific deeds, on assessment brackets equal to or above €10,000,000 only, the partial fee discount may go up to 40% maximum ;
• the discount must be identical for all services of the same nature and is not negotiable on a case-by-case basis ;
• it must be displayed in the office's waiting room as well as on this website.

2. Our discount policy on gifts (donations)

Within this legal framework, our office applies the following discount on gifts :
 

The 20% discount applies to the portion of the fee calculated on the fraction of the assessment base exceeding €100,000, not to the deed's total fee. This is why, in the examples below, the net discount amount represents less than 20% of the total fee.

Worked examples

• Proportional fee before discount : €5,025.08 (incl. VAT)
• Net discount amount : €220.36 (calculated on the pre-tax base)
• Fee after discount : €4,760.64 (incl. VAT)

• Proportional fee before discount : €10,773.56 (incl. VAT)
• Net discount amount : €1,101.80
• Fee after discount : €9,451.39 (incl. VAT)

• Proportional fee before discount : €25,144.76 (incl. VAT)
• Net discount amount : €3,305.36
• Fee after discount : €21,178.31 (incl. VAT)

3. Understanding "notary fees"

Contrary to a common misconception, "notary fees" do not represent the notary's own remuneration. The amount paid to the notary as an advance on costs actually comprises four elements :
 

• Taxes and registration duties : the largest share, set by law and paid in full to the French Treasury.
• Disbursements (débours) : costs advanced on the client's behalf (land registry, planning/zoning information, administrative documents, formalities).
• The notary's statutory fee (émoluments) : regulated remuneration for the deed performed, calculated according to a scale set by decree and identical for every notary in France. This method of remuneration has a redistributive purpose : it allows the fees earned on larger transactions to offset the cost of smaller ones, where the statutory fee does not always cover the actual cost of the service.
• Professional fees (honoraires) : freely set by the notary, in particular for business matters or advisory work.

This structure ensures fair treatment among citizens on the regulated portion of the fee, while allowing each office, within the legal framework described above, to adopt its own discount policy.

Frequently asked questions

Can notary fees be reduced?

The tax portion cannot be reduced. However, certain discounts provided for by regulation may apply to statutory fees, in the specific cases described above.

Do all notaries charge the same fees?

The statutory fee scale is set nationally and is identical for all notaries. The possibility of granting discounts is regulated and left to each office's discretion, within the legal limits.

When should I request an estimate?

Ideally as early as the planning stage of your project, so these costs can be factored into your wealth strategy.

Estimates and personalised quotes

For real estate purchases and loans secured against a property, you can contact us via the link below for a personalised estimate.

Please note : certain clauses may increase costs (creation of an easement, deferred payment of the price, delegation of payment, escrow arrangements, etc.). Please do not hesitate to contact us for a precise quote tailored to your transaction (mortgage loan, gift, estate matter…).

Contact our office

Legal sources and references

• Law No. 2015-990 of 6 August 2015 for growth, activity and equal economic opportunity — Légifrance
• Decree No. 2016-230 of 26 February 2016 on the regulated fees of certain legal professionals — Légifrance
• Order of 26 February 2016 setting the regulated fees of notaries — Légifrance
• French Commercial Code, Articles L444-1 to L444-3 and R444-1 et seq., and Annex 4-7 (Articles A444-1 et seq.) — Légifrance
• French Conseil supérieur du notariat (national notarial council) — notaires.fr