Total Cost of Buying a Luxury Apartment in Paris: Notary Fees and Beyond

The price on a listing is rarely the amount that leaves your account. Between the notary, taxes, loan-related costs and works, the real budget for a Paris apartment is meaningfully higher than the headline figure. For international buyers in particular, understanding these costs before making an offer avoids unpleasant surprises, and gives you a clearer picture when comparing apartments.

Notary Fees: What You Actually Pay

In France, "notary fees" (frais de notaire) are a misleading name. Most of the amount goes to the State and local authorities, not to the notary. For an existing apartment in Paris, a 2026 industry source puts the total at roughly 7% to 8% of the price, and it breaks down as follows:

• Transfer duties (droits de mutation), about 80% of the total. In Paris, the rate is 5.81%: 4.50% departmental tax, 1.20% communal tax, and a collection charge of about 0.107%. According to the same source, Paris did not raise its departmental rate to 5%.
• The notary's remuneration (émoluments), about 15%. This is set by a regulated scale, starting at 3.870% on the first €6,500 and falling to 0.799% above €60,000. For high-value purchases, the notary may also grant a discount of up to 20% on the portion above €100,000.
• Disbursements and formalities (frais et débours), about 5%. Typically €1,000 to €1,500 for a standard Paris purchase.

Because the regulated scale decreases as prices rise, the overall percentage tends to fall slightly toward the lower end of the range as the price goes up.

A Worked Example: A €2,000,000 Apartment

This is an indicative calculation based on the figures above, not a quote. Your notary will provide exact amounts.

ItemApproximate amountTransfer duties at 5.81%about €116,000Notary remuneration, including VAT, before any discountabout €19,500Disbursements and formalitiesabout €1,000 to €1,500Estimated totalabout €137,000 (around 7% of the price)

In other words, a €2 million purchase should be budgeted at roughly €2.14 million before any financing or works costs. Our price per m² guide helps you place the headline price in context.

Costs Beyond the Notary

The following are common extras, depending on how you buy. The ranges come from a second 2026 industry source and are indicative only.

If you finance the purchase:

• Bank application fees: roughly €500 to €1,500, often negotiable.
• Mortgage guarantee: about 1.5% to 2% of the amount borrowed for a mortgage, or about 1% to 1.2% for a mutual guarantee such as Crédit Logement, part of which may be refunded at the end of the loan.
• Mortgage broker fees: about 1% of the amount borrowed, on average.
• Borrower insurance: 0.10% to 0.50% of the borrowed capital per year. Choosing between group and delegated insurance can change the total cost of a loan substantially.

Our guide to financing for foreign buyers explains the lending side in more detail.

If you buy through a company:

• Setting up an SCI typically costs in the region of €1,500 to €3,000. See our guide on whether to buy through an SCI.

Works and moving in:

• A light refresh may start around €500 per m². A full renovation is quoted at €1,500 to €2,500 per m², and up to €3,000 per m² for high-end finishes. Add a contingency of 15% to 20%. Our renovation guide covers what the numbers look like.
• Furnishing and initial fittings, moving costs and administrative set-up come on top.

Ongoing costs once you own it:

• Co-ownership charges and property tax. If it is a second home, our pied-à-terre guide shows how the annual costs add up.

Agency Fees: Check What the Listed Price Includes

Agency fees (honoraires) vary depending on the mandate, and in France a listing must indicate whether the displayed price includes them. When you compare apartments, make sure you're comparing the same basis. Ask us for the net seller price and the agency fee separately if it isn't clear.

How to Use This When You Negotiate

Knowing your full budget helps you stay disciplined. It also shows how much room a well-argued price reduction creates, since transfer duties and the notary's scale are calculated on the final price. Our guide to negotiating the price of a luxury apartment in Paris shows how to approach it, and our due diligence checklist lists what to verify before you commit.

See Apartments Currently for Sale

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