Obtaining a notarised deed is often not as expensive as you might think. This is particularly due to the fact that fees for the consultation or preparation of the draft are included in the fees for the notarisation itself – regardless of the deed’s complexity and its preparation time. Only if the notarisation of the draft does not take place there is a separate fee for the consultation or preparation of the draft.

Notaries charge fees according to a statutory fee system, which is based exclusively on the value of the matter. The legislator opted for this fee system because it offers a number of advantages to the parties involved:

• The costs are measured according to the economic importance of the transaction. This ensures even in matters with a low value of the matter that the notarial costs are not out of proportion to the economic value of the legal transaction.
• Since the complexity and amount of the working time spent by the notary are not relevant for the calculation, the notary can tell you the overall costs of a planned notarisation even before the definite commissioning if you submit the necessary information for the calculation. The notary's fees are therefore transparent and calculable.
• The consultation and the drafting of the deed are covered by the fee for the notarisation, regardless of its complexity or the amount of consultation required.
• Identical legal services trigger identical fees for every notary. The notary may charge neither higher nor lower fees than those set by statute.
• Finally, the notary's cost calculations is regularly checked by the supervising authorities.

Do not hesitate to ask your notary about the expected costs before commissioning the notarisation – your notary will be happy to tell you.