Notary costs when buying a house in the Netherlands

The notary is an independent lawyer who arranges the transfer of ownership. They check that the seller really owns the property, whether there are attachments, mortgages or easements, and they settle the money: purchase price, transfer tax, repayment of the seller's mortgage and other items.

The transfer deed (leveringsakte) transfers ownership from the seller to you. The mortgage deed (hypotheekakte) gives your lender a right of mortgage as security for the loan. Without a mortgage you only need the transfer deed. Both are usually signed on the same day at the same notary.

Notaries set their own fees. Transfer deed and mortgage deed together cost indicatively €1,000 to €2,000, plus Land Registry fees of indicatively €150 to €300. Extras may apply for a cohabitation agreement, power of attorney, leasehold, an apartment with owners' association documents, or an interpreter. See all costs in our buyer's costs calculator.

With an existing home the rule is usually kosten koper (k.k.): the buyer pays the transfer deed, mortgage deed, registration and transfer tax. The seller pays for cancelling their own mortgage. With new-build homes it is often vrij op naam (v.o.n.): the transfer deed is included in the price, but you still pay your own mortgage deed. The buyer usually chooses the notary.

Partly. According to the Dutch Tax Administration, the costs of the mortgage deed and its registration are deductible as financing costs for your own home. The costs of the transfer deed and its registration are not. Ask your notary to list them separately.

• Are Land Registry and search costs included?
• Including or excluding 21% VAT?
• Extra costs for leasehold, apartments, power of attorney or interpreter?
• Can the notary explain the deeds in English?

A buying agent checks the purchase agreement and guides you to the notary. Also read our guide to buying a house.