Who pays notary fees when buying a flat and how much are they?

Notary fees are one of those elements that are most often overlooked at the planning stage of a property purchase. Buying a home is a moment when emotions often overtake cool calculation. Working with clients, I have noticed that when buying a flat in Gdynia more often than not, the same mistake is made - the budget is tightened „to the bone”, without taking formal costs into account.

In fact, fees related to the deed, tax or registration in the land registry can have a real impact on the total cost of the investment. Therefore, already at the stage of choosing a property, it is worth looking more broadly - not only at the offer price, but at the full cost of the purchase. It is this moment that determines whether the finalisation will go smoothly or whether there will be unnecessary nervousness when signing the contract.

• Who bears the notarial costs when buying a property?
• What do notary fees consist of?
• How much are the notary costs when buying a flat?
• Example of notary costs - flat with a value of PLN 500,000 (secondary market)
• How do I prepare financially for buying a flat?
• FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Who bears the notary's costs when the purchase of real estate?

In running my office, I most often encounter a situation where the cost of the notarial deed is taken on by the buyer. This is somewhat of a standard, but not an obligation - the regulations do not dictate who exactly has to pay for the notary. In one recent transaction, with sale of a flat in Gdynia, The parties decided to split the costs 50-50, which was part of the price negotiation and helped bring the subject to a quicker close.

Therefore, one thing is key: everything should be agreed before the contract is signed. When working with our a real estate office in Sopot, such issues are discussed at the start of the process and not at the notary's table. This way, both parties know who is responsible for what, and the finalisation itself goes smoothly - no last-minute nervous recalculation of costs.

What do notary fees consist of?

The costs associated with the purchase of a flat are not only the notary's fee. In fact, the final amount is made up of several elements that together form the so-called transaction costs.

Key ingredients include:

• Notary's fee - dependent on the value of the property and regulated by a regulation
• PCC tax - 2% values when purchased from the secondary market
• Court fees - entry in the land register and possible changes in ownership
• Extracts of the notarial deed - documents necessary for the parties and the institutions

Each of these elements has its own legal justification and is necessary for an effective transfer of ownership. Therefore, when analysing the costs of buying a flat, it is worth looking at them holistically and not just through the prism of one fee.

How much are the notary costs when buying a flat?

The amount of fees depends primarily on the price of the property and the type of market (primary or secondary). In practice, this means that the higher the value of the property, the higher the formal costs will be, although the maximum rates are limited by law.

Example of notary costs - flat with a value of PLN 500,000 (secondary market)

Type of charge	Nature of the cost	Estimated value
Notary's fee	notary's fees	approx. 2010 PLN net
VAT (23% from taxis)	tax	approx. 460 zł
Gross notary's fee	total cost of notary	approx. 2470 zł
PCC tax (2%)	compulsory tax	PLN 10 000
Entry in the land register	court fee	PLN 200
Extracts of the notarial deed	documentation	PLN 150 - 300
Total indicative cost	total charges	approx. PLN 12,800 - 13,000

How do I prepare financially for buying a flat?

A well-planned property purchase is not only about finding the right offer, but also about preparing the budget properly. It is crucial to take all fees into account before signing the contract, thus avoiding stress and unforeseen expenses.

It is worth remembering a few rules:

• Thorough analysis of total transaction costs
• Securing additional financial provision
• Consultation with a real estate advisor
• Verification of documents and contractual provisions

This approach significantly increases investment security and allows you to go through the purchase process in an orderly manner.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

1. Who pays for the notary when buying a flat?

Most often, notarial expenses are paid by the buyer, as he initiates the transfer of ownership. In practice, however, the parties may agree on a different division of expenses and record it in the notarial deed.

2. how much is the notary's fee when buying a flat?

The amount of the fee depends on the value of the property and is set by law, but the notary may apply a lower rate. The most common range is between approximately PLN 1,000 and PLN 3,000 for standard transactions.

3. Do you always pay PCC tax when buying a flat?

The PCC tax mainly applies in the secondary market and amounts to 2% of the property value. When buying from a developer, it is most often not present, as the tax is already included in the price.

4. what are the total costs of purchasing a flat?

Total transaction costs typically range from 2% to 5% of the property price. These include not only notary fees, but also taxes and court costs.

5. can notary costs be reduced?

Partly yes - it is possible to negotiate the notary's fee and to choose a law firm offering more favourable rates. However, it is worth remembering that some fees, such as the PCC or the registration in the land register, are fixed and not negotiable.