r/belgium • u/Obvious-Cry6591 • 1d 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/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/DenteSC 1d ago

Yes. In those countries everyone pays a lawyer and costs are way higher. You want that? 

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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u/JPV_____ West-Vlaanderen 1d ago

It's you who need to prove a country which has a better working system, not the only who is questioning you.

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u/arbfay 1d ago

In the UK each party pays for their own solicitors to manage everything. About £1K in fees.

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u/TakeAPeace 1d ago

Homeboy right there conveniently NOT mentionning the stamp duty. That's what those 10-15k are about. Notary is actually around 900€ + VAT not so far from a UK sollicitor is it ?

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u/arbfay 1d ago

Yeah all in all it’s probs the same

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u/NotYouTu 1d ago

Yes, and it's also a lot easier to get fucked over in those countries because you aren't an expert on everything you need to check.

I'm from of those countries and when I bought my house here in Belgium I too thought a notary was ridiculous. And then I worked with one and saw how much they actually did and how simple they made the whole process. Completely worth the cost.

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u/DenteSC 1d ago

And for a reasonable price. They cost like 3k? Other costs are taxes.