What a Spanish notary actually costs

Terms used

• Arancel — The arancel is the official regulated scale of fees that notaries must charge for each type of document.
• Legitimación de firma — A legitimación de firma is a notary's certification that a signature is genuine and the signer's identity was checked.
• Apostille — An apostille is an international stamp that certifies a foreign public document so it can be used in another country.
• AJD — AJD is a Spanish stamp tax on certain legal documents, such as some property deeds.
• Gestoría — A gestoría is a private office that handles paperwork and tax filings for a fee.

Key rules

• VAT: 21% VAT is added to notary fees.
• Fixed prices: A notary cannot charge above the regulated scale, so fees for common documents are the same everywhere.
• Power of attorney: It is charged as a document of undetermined amount, usually costing tens of euros.
• Copies: The first authorised copy is included, and extra copies are charged per page.

The short answer

Notary fees are not a free-for-all. They follow a regulated scale called the arancel, with set amounts for each type of document. On top of that you pay copies and VAT. For a power of attorney, expect a modest bill, usually tens of euros.

Why prices barely differ between notaries

A notary cannot charge more than the arancel. For common documents the fee is the same at every notary, so shopping around saves you little. Only some large-value deeds allow a reduction within legal limits. For a power of attorney or a signature certification, don't count on negotiating.

What makes up the bill

• The base fee for the document. A power of attorney is charged as a document of undetermined amount (sin cuantía). That means a fixed base fee, not a percentage of anything. Revocations and special powers are charged the same way.
• Pages. The final amount depends on the number of pages (folios) in the document and in each copy.
• Copies. The first authorised copy is included in the base fee. Extra copies are charged per page. A simple copy costs less than an authorised copy, so ask for a simple copy where the receiving office accepts one. A testimonio is charged per page on a separate scale.
• VAT. 21% is added to the total of the notary's fees.
• Supplements. A notary can add charges for travelling outside the office, plus the travel costs. Urgent or out-of-hours work can also carry a supplement.

Costs that are not notary fees

If you are doing more than a power of attorney, other charges can appear on the same job: property registry fees, a gestoría's fee, and taxes such as AJD. These are separate from the notary's bill. Ask who charges what.

Signature certifications

Sometimes an office only needs a legitimación de firma, not a full deed. It certifies that a signature is genuine and checks your identity. It does not certify that the content is true or legal. Before you pay for a full deed, ask the office that will receive the document which one it needs. Spanish consulates abroad can also certify signatures for use in Spain.

If you sign before a foreign notary, the document usually also needs an apostille and a translation. Budget for those separately.

How to budget

1. Decide which document you need and how many copies.
2. Ask the notary for the total in writing, VAT included, before you sign.
3. Add a margin for extra pages or copies.

The fee scale has been amended several times, so ask the notary for the current amounts rather than relying on an old figure. The checklist and FAQ below cover the questions to ask.

Documents you need

• A document with a legitimación de firma, a notary's certification that the signature is genuine, for offices or registries that need an authenticated signature. A notary in Spain or a Spanish consulate abroad issues it.

• A document signed before a foreign notary, if you sign abroad: it usually also needs an apostille and a translation to be used in Spain.

Check with the office receiving the document whether it needs a legitimación de firma or a full notarial deed.

Checklist

• Ask the notary for the total fee in writing, including the 21% VAT, before you sign.

• Ask for the fee for your power of attorney, which is charged as a deed of undetermined amount, plus a per-page charge for copies.

• Count how many copies you need, since the first authorised copy is included and extra copies are charged per page.

• Choose a simple copy where it is enough, because it costs less than an authorised copy.

• Check with the receiving office whether it needs a legitimación de firma or a full notarial deed.

• Ask whether any supplement applies for travel, urgent or out-of-hours work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I negotiate a lower price with a Spanish notary?

No, you cannot normally negotiate a notary's price, because the fees are fixed by a regulated scale and a notary cannot charge above it. Fees for common acts are the same across notaries. A reduction is possible only on certain large-value deeds, within a legal range.

Do I pay extra if the notary travels to sign outside the office?

Yes, a notary can add a supplement when travelling outside the office, charged for travel and time plus the travel costs. Urgent or out-of-hours work can also carry supplements. Ask for the total before you book.

Is the first copy of a deed included in the notary's fee?

Yes, the first authorised copy of a deed is included in the base fee. Additional copies are charged per page, and a simple copy costs less than an authorised copy. Work out how many copies you need before signing.

What is a legitimación de firma and does it cost the same as a deed?

A legitimación de firma is a notary's certification that a signature is genuine and the signer's identity was checked. It does not certify that the content is true or legal. Ask the notary for the fee, and check whether the office receiving your document needs it or a full deed.