Notary Fees in Nice in 2026: How Much to Budget When Buying
“Notary fees” mostly do not go to the notary: they are largely taxes paid over to the State and the département. Here is how they break down in Nice, and what you can reasonably budget for an apartment at around €1.2M.
What do notary fees consist of?
- Transfer duties (droits de mutation, a form of tax): the largest share, paid over to the département, the municipality and the State.
- The notary's fees (émoluments): regulated remuneration, proportional to the price and decreasing in scale.
- Formalities fees, the property security contribution (contribution de sécurité immobilière) and disbursements (costs advanced for documents and formalities).
This breakdown is used by the public simulators (mesfraisnotaire.fr, frais-de-notaire.fr, accessed 3 October 2026).
The transfer duty rate in the Alpes-Maritimes
Since the 2025 Finance Act, départements may raise their share of transfer duties from 4.50% to 5.00%. According to the comparison sites we consulted (mesfraisnotaire.fr, cpim.fr, jechange.fr, accessed 3 October 2026), 88 départements have done so, resulting in an overall rate of 6.32%. The Alpes-Maritimes are among the few départements that stayed at 4.50%, for an overall rate of 5.81% (5.80665% exactly).
This is a real advantage for the buyer: at the same price, duties are about 0.5 points lower than elsewhere, or nearly €6,000 less on a €1.2M property. Since départemental rates can change, always confirm them with the notary when signing the preliminary sales agreement (compromis).
An order of magnitude for a €1,190,000 property
| Item | Indicative estimate |
|---|---|
| Transfer duties at 5.80665% of the net price | ≈ €69,100 |
| Usual overall range (7% to 9% of the price) | ≈ €83,000 to €107,000 |
| Trend on a high price | rather towards the lower end of the range (decreasing fee scale) |
These amounts are our own estimates, calculated from the transfer duty rate and the published general range: they do not replace a notary's statement. The exact calculation base (net seller price, any furniture, agency fees paid by the buyer or the seller) changes the result. Ask the notary for a written statement before committing.
How to reduce the fees, legally
Conversely, any “miracle” saving on notary fees should be viewed with suspicion: understating the property price in the deed is illegal.
- Distinguish the price of the property from that of any furniture sold with it: furniture is not subject to transfer duties (this must be justified and kept reasonable).
- Check who bears the agency fees, as this changes the calculation base.
- Compare simulations from several notaries: since fees are regulated, the difference is small, but the detail of disbursements varies.
And then? The full budget
On top of the property price and notary fees, depending on the case, come loan arrangement and guarantee fees, any works and furniture. To estimate a loan repayment, see our guide to financing a €1 million apartment; for annual taxes, read taxes on a purchase in Nice.
The Le Vert Boron apartment is offered at €1,190,000, agency fees included. View the listing.
Sources and consultation date
- mesfraisnotaire.fr — Notary fees Alpes-Maritimes 2026 (transfer duties 5.81%), accessed 3 October 2026
- cpim.fr — transfer duties 2026 by département; jechange.fr — 88 départements raised transfer duties, accessed 3 October 2026
- frais-de-notaire.fr — Notary fees, purchase of existing property 2026, accessed 3 October 2026
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the transfer duty rate in Nice in 2026?
5.81% in total (5.80665%): the Alpes-Maritimes stayed at a 4.50% départemental share, while 88 départements moved to an overall rate of 6.32%.
How much are notary fees for a €1,190,000 apartment?
Between 7% and 9% of the price on existing properties, so roughly €83,000 to €107,000. Transfer duties alone come to about €69,100. Ask the notary for a written statement.
Do notary fees go to the notary?
No, they are mostly taxes paid over to the State and local authorities. The notary's fees are regulated and make up only part of the total.
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3 rooms · 83 m² · 8th and top floor · garage · €1,190,000 · viewings by appointment.
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