Notary, registry and gestor fees explained

Key rules

• Notary and registry: Both charge from regulated scales based on price and document length, so quotes should be similar everywhere.
• Gestor fee: This is a flat market fee that differs by firm and city, so get several written quotes.
• Mortgage costs: With a mortgage, the lender pays the mortgage deed's notary, registry and gestoría fees and the stamp duty.
• Ranges: The amounts on this page are typical ranges, not official figures.

How the three fees are set

Notary and registry fees follow regulated scales tied to the price of the home and the length of the documents. Every notary and every registry charges from the same scales, so these quotes should not differ much. Gestor fees are different: they are a market flat fee, and each firm sets its own.

Notary fees

The notary fee is based on the price. The scale has fixed amounts for the first bands, then a falling percentage on the excess, with a reduction applied. Longer deeds and extra copies cost more.

Typical totals for a purchase deed, including copies:

• Home of 150,000 to 300,000 euros: roughly 400 to 700 euros.
• Higher-priced homes: about 800 to 1,200 euros.

These are typical ranges, not official figures. A mortgage deed is charged separately.

Registry fees

The property registry also charges by a regulated scale. It has a minimum, falling rates on higher price bands, and a discount applied.

Typical totals for registering a purchase:

• Home of 150,000 to 300,000 euros: roughly 300 to 500 euros.
• Higher prices: perhaps 600 to 900 euros.

Registering a mortgage is charged separately.

Who pays

The buyer usually pays the notary fees for the purchase deed and the registry fees. The seller pays for its own documents, such as cancelling a previous mortgage.

If you take a mortgage, the 2019 mortgage law puts most of the mortgage costs on the lender. The lender pays the notary fee for the mortgage deed, the registry fee, the gestoría fee for the mortgage and the stamp duty (AJD). You pay for your copies. You still pay the notary and registry for the purchase deed itself.

Gestoría fees

A gestoría is the firm that files your tax returns and handles the registration and follow-up after the deed. Its fee is usually a flat amount. It varies with the type of transaction, the property, the region and how many tasks you hand over.

Foreign buyers sometimes pay more if the gestoría also handles the NIE and translations. Ask several firms for a written quote that lists exactly which services are included. The documents and questions below help you compare them.

How to check a quote

• A notary or registry figure far outside the ranges above for your price deserves a question. Ask for the breakdown.
• Ask whether copies, mortgage paperwork or extra deeds are in the total.
• Compare gestoría quotes line by line, not just by the total.

Documents you need

• Written quote from the gestoría listing the services included, such as tax returns, registration and follow-up

• Your NIE (foreigner identification number), if the gestoría is also handling it for you

• Translations of foreign documents, if the gestoría is also handling them for you

Check with your gestoría which documents it needs from you, as this can vary by firm and purchase.

Frequently asked questions

How much are notary fees for a home costing 150,000 to 300,000 euros?

Notary fees for the purchase deed usually come to roughly 400 to 700 euros for a home of 150,000 to 300,000 euros.

How much does the property registry charge to register my purchase?

Registering a purchase usually costs roughly 300 to 500 euros for a home of 150,000 to 300,000 euros. For higher prices it can be perhaps 600 to 900 euros. The mortgage registration is charged separately.

Do I pay the notary and registry fees if I take out a mortgage?

Yes, you still pay the notary and registry fees for the purchase deed itself, even with a mortgage. The lender is responsible for the mortgage deed's notary fee, registry fee, gestoría fee and stamp duty, and you pay for copies.

What should I ask a gestoría before hiring one?

Ask several firms for a written quote that lists exactly which services are included. Fees vary by firm, city, region and type of purchase, and are often a flat fee.