Notary and land registry fees when buying
Notary and land registry fees in Spain follow official scales based on the declared value of the property, so on a purchase between 200,000 € and 600,000 € the two together usually fall between 1,200 € and 3,000 €.
gelisted editorial team · Updated 15 August 2026
The short version
- Both fees follow official tariffs and are not freely negotiated.
- Notary fees on a typical purchase run 600 € to 1,500 €.
- Land registry fees run 400 € to 1,000 € on the same range.
- A mortgage deed adds a second set of both fees.
These are the 2 costs buyers worry about least and understand least. They are also the 2 that are fixed by law, which makes them the easiest to budget.
What each one does
The notary is a public official who verifies the identity and capacity of both parties, reads the deed, confirms the payment, checks the registry entry on the day, and authorises the public deed. The land registry then records the change of ownership, which is what makes your title enforceable against third parties. The notary creates the document; the registry gives it public effect.
| Purchase price | Notary | Registry |
|---|---|---|
| 150,000 € | 550 to 800 € | 350 to 550 € |
| 300,000 € | 700 to 1,000 € | 450 to 700 € |
| 500,000 € | 900 to 1,300 € | 600 to 900 € |
| 800,000 € | 1,100 to 1,600 € | 750 to 1,100 € |
| Extra authorised copies | 3 to 15 € per page | |
| Mortgage deed | second set of fees | second set of fees |
| Gestor for filing | 300 to 600 € |
Who pays what
The default rule in the Civil Code is that the seller pays for the original deed and the buyer pays for the copies and the registration, but the parties can agree otherwise, and in practice the buyer usually pays the lot. What matters is that the split is written into the deposit contract. Discovering at the notary that the seller expects the buyer to absorb 1,200 € more is a poor way to start a signing.
The signing appointment
Allow 60 to 90 minutes. The notary reads the deed, which is in Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish to that standard, you need an official interpreter or a power of attorney granted to someone who does, and that has to be arranged in advance, not on the day. The notary will refuse to authorise a deed where a party clearly does not understand what is being signed.
You can choose the notary, and it is normally the buyer's right to do so since the buyer bears the cost.
After signing
The notary sends an electronic notice to the registry the same day, which blocks any competing entry for a limited period. The transfer tax must then be filed within 30 working days, and only then can the deed be presented for registration. Full registration typically takes 2 to 8 weeks from presentation. Keep the authorised copy of the deed and the registry entry together, because both are needed to sell, mortgage or inherit the property later.
Frequently asked
+How much are notary and registry fees?
Together 1,200 € to 3,000 € on a purchase between 200,000 € and 600,000 €, following official scales.
+Can I negotiate them?
No. Both follow official tariffs, though small variations exist in the number of copies and extras.
+Who pays?
By default the seller pays for the original and the buyer for copies and registration, but the split is normally agreed in the contract.
+What if I do not speak Spanish?
You need an official interpreter or a power of attorney arranged in advance. The deed is read in Spanish.
+How long does registration take?
Two to eight weeks from presentation, which can only happen after the transfer tax has been filed.
Sources
- 1Consejo General del Notariado, Notariado (August 2026)
- 2Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE (August 2026)