Does Appointing Your Own Notaire in France Cost More?
No — appointing your own notaire when buying a property in France does not cost more. The French notaire fees are the same regardless of whether you use one or two notaires.
Many buyers worry that having their own notaire, in addition to the seller’s notaire, will mean paying fees twice. This is not how the system works. Notaire fees in France are fixed by law and are only paid once by the buyer.
What is a French Notaire?
A French notaire is a public official appointed by the French state.
Their job is to make sure that property sales follow French law and that ownership is transferred correctly. A notaire is not the same as an estate agent, and they are not a private lawyer working on commission. They have a legal duty to handle the transaction properly and accurately.
Every property purchase in France must go through a notaire.
What does a French Notaire do when buying property?
When you buy a property in France, the notaire takes care of the legal side of the purchase.
This includes:
- Preparing and checking the contracts
- Making sure the seller legally owns the property
- Carrying out required legal checks
- Handling the transfer of money
- Collecting taxes and charges for the French state
- Registering you as the new owner
In simple terms, the notaire makes sure the purchase is legal, secure, and officially recorded.
If this is your first purchase in France, it can also help to understand how the notaire fits into the wider buying process.
Our step-by-step guide on how to buy property in France explains each stage, from the initial offer through to completion.
How French Notaire fees work (and why costs don’t increase)
Notaire fees are set by the French government and are mostly based on the purchase price of the property. It is crucial to understand how French notaire fees are calculated to anticipate costs.
What people call “notaire fees” actually includes:
- Taxes paid to the French state
- Administrative costs
- The notaire’s fixed fee for their work
If you appoint your own notaire as a buyer, and the seller keeps theirs, you still pay the same total amount. The two notaires simply share the fee between them. You are not charged twice, and there is no extra cost for having your own notaire.
Because the notaire also works with the bank during the purchase, it helps to understand how fees and financing fit together.
Our guide to French mortgages explains how lending works for non-residents and how the process is coordinated.
Why buyers often choose to appoint their own Notaire
Although it is not required, many buyers — especially those buying from abroad — choose to appoint their own notaire for peace of mind and risk mitigation.
A buyer-appointed notaire:
- Looks at the documents from the buyer’s point of view
- Explains the process in clear, simple terms
- Can often work in English
- Provides an extra level of reassurance & security
This is not about paying more — it is about feeling confident and well informed during the purchase.
When appointing your own Notaire can be helpful
Having your own notaire is especially common when:
- Buying a high-value property
- Purchasing a new-build or off-plan home
- Using more complex financing
- Buying from outside France
In these situations, having clear explanations and independent checks can make the process much easier to understand.
Can you work with a French Notaire remotely?
Yes. Many buyers work with French notaires remotely.
Meetings can usually be done by phone or video call, and documents can be shared electronically. In many cases, buyers do not need to be in France until the final stages, and sometimes even completion can be handled using a power of attorney.
This makes buying property in France much more practical for overseas buyers.
How to find an English-speaking French Notaire
Not all French notaires speak English fluently, and clear communication is very important when dealing with legal documents and contracts.
For this reason, many international buyers choose to work with an English-speaking notaire who is used to handling purchases for overseas clients.
This helps avoid misunderstandings and makes the process much easier to follow.
We can help with this by giving you access to our network of experienced, English-speaking French notaires who regularly work with international buyers.
This means you can speak to a notaire who understands both the French legal system and the concerns of buyers purchasing from abroad.
The Key Takeaway for Buyers
Appointing your own notaire when buying property in France does not increase the cost.
French notaire fees are fixed by law and are shared if more than one notaire is involved.
If you want clear explanations, English-language support, and added reassurance — especially when buying from abroad — appointing your own notaire can be a practical and cost-neutral choice.
If you would like to understand how this fits into your wider purchase — including financing options, timelines, and how the notaire works alongside your mortgage — you can speak with one of our mortgage advisors.
They can talk you through the process, answer any questions, and, where helpful, connect you with an English-speaking notaire from our network to ensure everything is aligned from the start.