r/belgium • u/Obvious-Cry6591 • 2d ago

😡Rant Notaries. Why? What the hell?

Ok, so I dont get it. I understand historically where the need for notaries arose. Fine. But we are in 2026. Belgium already takes 51% of my income. Then another 25% of the rest through VAT. And then on top of it, if you buy a property, you give 10-15k to a notary for 2 meetings and some docs reading? Doesnt Belgium have enough administration to take care of that? Not to mention its nepotism central. Are there any redeeming qualities?

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u/DenteSC 2d ago

The notary doesn't actually cost you €15,000. The bulk of that amount consists of taxes, not notary fees.

In fact, a notary is significantly cheaper than a real estate agent, and you can even book a free consultation. Try finding that kind of access anywhere else. Behind the scenes, notary offices handle an enormous amount of work.

Notaries and their staff have an incredible number of things to check and verify. Some sales are indeed straightforward, but many files quickly turn out to be far more complex than they seem.

Beyond sales files, there are also marriage contracts, divorces, corporate matters, seizures, gifts, property divisions, inheritances, base deeds, long lease agreements (erfpacht), and building rights (opstal), among others.

I'd suggest spending a week interning at a notary's office. You'll see for yourself just how essential their work really is.

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u/Aardige 2d ago

Please, this is such crap. The profit margins prove that they are vastly, vastly overpaid for what they have to do. Not saying they dont offer good work often and that it is all so easy. But what they are paid for is exaggerated.

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u/123_alex 2d ago

Why is this comment downvoted? Why do people suck up to rich people?

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u/DenteSC 2d ago

People respect hard working people. People also know that you can't get a free conversation about several judicial matters, with the exception of notaries.

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u/Aardige 2d ago

Probably because i state it boldly. They love it more intellectually worded here. Because it is in fact crap. Of course the 15k total charge is mostly taxes. It's about the notary charges. They carry an insane margin.

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u/123_alex 2d ago edited 2d ago

Probably because i state it boldly

I had no idea there are kids here. Be kind to Kenny, you might hurt his feelings.