01.07.2026 - Testowa
Notary Fees When Buying a House – How Much Do They Cost and What Do They Depend On?
Notary Fees When Buying a House – What Do They Consist Of?
The total cost of a notarial deed when purchasing a house is not just the notary’s fee. The final amount consists of several separate items included in the settlement by the notary. Understanding each of them helps avoid unpleasant surprises when finalising the transaction.
The full notary-related costs when buying a house include:
- notary fee for drafting the notarial deed,
- civil law transaction tax (PCC) of 2% of the property’s market value – applies to the secondary market,
- court fee for entry of ownership into the land and mortgage register (PLN 200),
- court fee for mortgage entry if the purchase is financed with a loan (PLN 200),
- PCC stamp duty of PLN 19,
- notary’s fee for copies (extracts) of the notarial deed (PLN 6 net per page).
When purchasing a property on the primary market, the buyer is exempt from PCC because VAT is already included in the price. This is an important difference compared to the secondary market, where PCC can be one of the largest components of the total transaction cost.
Notary Fee – How Much Does a Notarial Deed Cost When Buying a House?
The notary fee is regulated by the Regulation of the Minister of Justice, which sets maximum notary remuneration rates. A notary may charge less than the maximum tariff, but not more. The rates are degressive, meaning the percentage decreases as the property value increases.
Property value | Maximum notary fee |
| up to PLN 3,000 | PLN 100 |
| above PLN 3,000 to PLN 10,000 | PLN 100 + 3% of the excess above PLN 3,000 |
| above PLN 10,000 to PLN 30,000 | PLN 310 + 2% of the excess above PLN 10,000 |
| above PLN 30,000 to PLN 60,000 | PLN 710 + 1% of the excess above PLN 30,000 |
| above PLN 60,000 to PLN 1,000,000 | PLN 1,010 + 0.4% of the excess above PLN 60,000 |
| above PLN 1,000,000 to PLN 2,000,000 | PLN 4,770 + 0.2% of the excess above PLN 1,000,000 |
| above PLN 2,000,000 | PLN 6,770 + 0.25% of the excess above PLN 2,000,000 (max PLN 10,000) |
VAT of 23% must be added to the above amounts. It is also worth remembering that copies of the notarial deed are an additional cost calculated per page. In more extensive agreements, the cost of copies may reach several hundred zloty.
Factors Affecting Notary Costs When Buying a House
The notary fee is only a starting point – the final amount depends on several variables. Before visiting a notary, it is worth including all of them in your budget.
- The total notary cost is influenced by:
- property value stated in the contract,
- source of financing (cash or mortgage loan),
- primary or secondary market,
- number of copies of the notarial deed,
- need to establish a new land and mortgage register,
- complexity of the property’s legal status.
If you are buying a house with a mortgage, the notary will also charge fees related to establishing a mortgage. It is worth asking the notary office for a preliminary estimate to plan your expenses accurately.
Detailed information on how notary costs are structured when buying an apartment can also be found on the J.W. Construction blog, where the topic is discussed from the perspective of the primary market.
Who Pays Notary Fees When Buying a House?
The law does not explicitly indicate which party bears notary costs. In practice, it is usually the buyer who pays, as they are the direct beneficiary of the notarial deed. The seller is only responsible for income tax on the profit from the sale of the property, if applicable.
However, cost allocation can be negotiated differently. In some cases, the seller agrees to cover part of the fees as part of the final transaction arrangements. Each situation is individual and should be discussed before signing the preliminary agreement.
How to Calculate Notary Costs When Buying a House?
Purchasing a house worth PLN 600,000 on the secondary market, financed 50% with a mortgage, generates the following notary-related costs:
- notary fee: PLN 1,010 + 0.4% of PLN 540,000 = PLN 3,170 net (PLN 3,899.10 gross),
- PCC 2%: PLN 12,000,
- ownership entry into the land and mortgage register: PLN 200,
- mortgage entry into the land and mortgage register: PLN 200,
- PCC stamp duty: PLN 19,
- copies of the notarial deed: approx. PLN 100–300 depending on the number of pages.
The total cost in this example exceeds PLN 16,000. On the primary market, this amount would be significantly lower due to the absence of PCC.
By choosing a property from J.W. Construction, you not only save several thousand zloty in civil law transaction tax, but also gain the support of experienced advisors who help optimise other transaction-related costs.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a notary cost when buying a house for PLN 400,000?
The notary fee for a transaction worth PLN 400,000 is PLN 1,010 + 0.4% of PLN 340,000, which equals PLN 2,370 net (PLN 2,915.10 gross). In addition, there is PCC of PLN 8,000 (secondary market), court fees for land and mortgage register entries, and copy costs.
Who pays notary fees when buying a house?
In practice, notary fees are paid by the buyer. However, the parties may agree on a different division during negotiations, which should be included in the preliminary agreement.
Can notary fees be negotiated?
Yes. Notary fees represent maximum rates, and the notary may apply a lower fee. It is worth asking directly, especially in high-value transactions or when working regularly with a given notary office.
