Notaries and Notary Fees in Romania: Complete Guide

Published on April 29, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Navigating Notary Fees in Romania: A Complete Guide

Navigating the legal maze of real estate transactions in Romania can be complex, especially when it comes to understanding the crucial role of the notary and the various associated fees.

This article aims to provide you with a detailed guide to decipher the intricacies of notary fees, which are essential for any real estate acquisition in the country. Through a careful exploration of the legal and financial aspects, we provide key information to best estimate the costs involved.

Dive into this essential world to turn the property buying process into a hassle-free experience.

Understanding the Notary’s Role in a Romanian Property Purchase

The notary plays a central and mandatory role in the property purchase process in Romania, ensuring the legality, security, and transparency of the transaction.

Key Interventions of the Notary During a Property Purchase:

Step	Notary’s Intervention
Document Verification	Checks the authenticity of property titles, land registry extract, tax certificates, cadastral documents, energy performance certificate, various attestations, and up-to-date invoices.
Preparation of the Deed of Sale	Drafts and authenticates the sale-purchase deed, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and the parties’ intentions.
Signature Supervision	Organizes the signing of the deed in the presence of the parties, verifies their identity and legal capacity, and ensures free and informed consent.
Property Transfer	Proceeds with registering the new owner in the land registry, which legally formalizes the transfer.
Payment of Taxes and Fees	Withholds and remits the real estate transfer tax, collects notary fees, and ensures payment of other applicable taxes.

Legal Responsibilities and Advisory Obligations of the Notary:

• Impartiality: The notary acts in the interest of both parties, favoring neither the buyer nor the seller.
• Legality Check: They must ensure there are no disputes, mortgages, or other encumbrances on the property.
• Advice: They inform about the legal and tax implications of the transaction, explain the rights and obligations of each party, and prevent any risk of nullity or litigation.
• Legal Security: They guarantee the validity of the deed and compliance with the law; their signature gives the deed maximum evidentiary force.

Additional Services Offered by the Notary:

• Drafting powers of attorney for representation during the purchase.
• Tax advice and assistance in declaring income from the sale.
• Assistance in obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for foreign buyers.
• Holding and transferring funds to secure payment.
• Administrative steps for property registration and delivery of official documents.

Key Takeaway

The notary in Romania is the guarantor of the validity and security of any real estate transaction. Their involvement is essential at every key stage of the property purchase process.

Notary Fees in Romania: What You Need to Know

Notary fees in Romania vary depending on the type of transaction and are structured around fixed and variable fees, to which specific taxes may be added. The percentages applied differ mainly depending on whether it is a property purchase, a donation, or an inheritance.

Summary Table of Main Notary Fees (2025)

Type of Transaction	Notary Fee Range (%)	Main Observations
Property Purchase	0.5% – 2.5% of the property price	Excluding cadastral or mortgage taxes
Donation	Variable amount based on value	Progressive pricing; simulation required
Inheritance	Fixed amount + variable portion	Depends on complexity and number of heirs

Components of the Fees

• Fixed Fees: Some deeds include a flat-rate component for drafting or registration.
• Variable Fees: Proportional to the value declared in the deed (e.g., for a property purchase: between 0.5% and 2.5%).
• Additional Taxes:
  • OCPI (Cadastre) Tax: generally between 0.1% and 1%.
  • VAT applicable on fees when the notary is subject to this regime. As of August 1, 2025, the standard rate increases from 19% to 21%, directly impacting the total amount paid by clients including tax.

List of Other Potential Costs

• Costs related to a mortgage
• Administrative costs for obtaining a cadastral extract
• Potential capital gains tax on certain sales

Regional Differences

Fees are regulated at the national level but may have slight variations depending on the geographic area (especially in large cities where demand is higher). However, these differences remain limited by an official fee schedule imposed by the National Union of Public Notaries.

Legal and Economic Context

Tariffs are legally regulated to ensure transparency and protection for both the buyer and seller. The Romanian economy has experienced sustained growth in the real estate market in recent years, with a notable increase in mortgage transactions. This context can indirectly influence the fee levels practiced.

• Since August 2025: increase in the standard VAT rate to 21%, which automatically increases all taxable services, including those provided by notarial offices.
• Fee schedules revised regularly by ministerial decree based on national economic developments.
• Legal obligation for notaries for several years to clearly display their fees in their office and during any preliminary consultation.

To Calculate Your Potential Costs During a Transaction:

1. Determine the exact type of deed contemplated.
2. Estimate the value declared in the deed.
3. Apply the corresponding official fee schedule to the amount in question (e.g., purchase: between 0.5–2.5%), then potentially add:
   • Cadastral/mortgage taxes
   • VAT on fees
4. Use an online simulator offered by some specialized sites if needed, or request a detailed quote from the chosen notary.

Key Takeaway
Accurate anticipation of costs necessarily requires a personalized estimate from the chosen professional — each situation may have its own structural or fiscal specificities.

Avoiding Hidden Costs When Buying Property in Romania

Common Types of Hidden Costs When Buying Property in Romania:

• Title Verification Fees
  
  • Fees for examining land registry extracts, searching for mortgages or easements, verifying urban planning compliance and building permits.
• Local Taxes and Duties
  
  • Registration tax (approx. 0.15% for individuals, 0.5% for companies), transaction tax if the amount exceeds 450,000 lei (3% on the excess portion), various municipal taxes, fees for issuing the energy performance certificate.
• Mandatory Insurance
  
  • Mandatory home insurance (PAD), sometimes required before finalizing the deed of sale.
• Fees and Ancillary Costs
  
  • Notary fees (generally between 0.5% and 1% of the purchase price), bank fees if financing, lawyer or consultant fees, translation costs for foreign documents.

Type of Cost	Indicative Amount	Observations
Notary Fees	0.5 to 1% of purchase price	May vary depending on complexity and region
Registration Tax	0.15% (individual) or 0.5% (legal entity)	Minimum of 60 lei per property
Transaction Tax > 450,000 lei	3% on the excess portion	No tax below this threshold
Legal Verification Fees	Variable (often flat fee)	Negotiable; depends on required due diligence
Home Insurance (PAD)	10 to 20 euros/year	Mandatory for all homes

The Notary’s Role in Identifying and Minimizing Hidden Costs:

• Thorough file analysis: verification of titles, potential encumbrances, permit compliance.
• Preparation of a precise and detailed quote before signing.
• Assistance in negotiating fees: some costs can be discussed, especially if multiple services are bundled.
• Advice on cost allocation between seller and buyer according to local practice and law.
• Reading and explaining the purchase contract: identifying clauses that could generate future costs.

Practical Tips for the Buyer:

• Systematically request a detailed quote from the notary before any commitment.
• Seek independent legal advice to validate the purchase contract’s compliance and the absence of encumbrances or disputes.
• Compare offers from several notaries: tariffs are regulated, but some ancillary services may vary.
• Negotiate the coverage of certain costs (e.g., share some costs with the seller).

Possible Regional Variations:

Notary fees, although regulated, may be adjusted based on local real estate values or the complexity of procedures.

Local taxes (urban planning, document issuance, energy certificates) may differ from one municipality to another.

Some regions impose additional requirements regarding environmental or urban planning compliance.

Recommendations for Working Effectively with a Notary:

• Prepare all necessary documents in advance to avoid additional processing fees.
• Establish clear communication about all expected costs and payment deadlines.
• Request a written explanation for each expense item.
• Take the time to read every proposed document, ask for clarifications if needed, and only sign after agreeing on all fees.

Key Takeaway:
Quality notarial support, combined with a rigorous legal verification process and a systematic request for a detailed quote, helps avoid most financial surprises when buying property in Romania.