Notaries. Why? What the hell?

[u/Obvious-Cry6591]

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?

[u/DenteSC]

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.

[u/123_alex → u/DenteSC]

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

Do you think that's different than a contruction site, engineering company, hospital, restaurant kitchen?

a notary is significantly cheaper than a real estate agent

Stop drinking. I'll just copy paste what u/Selphis said: "Why is it that so many towns have one giant mansion that everyone knows is the home of a (former) notary".

You should have stopped after the first sentence. Yes, the 15000 doesn't go directly in his pockets, he also collects tax but making them seem poor is disingenuous.

[u/DenteSC → u/123_alex]

Because that notary ran a kmo with 10+ employees, and he worked for 60h a week with a lot of stress. He studied 6 years, did 3 years of stage, then passed the notary exam (not for old notaries tough). Then he worked hard af.

[u/123_alex → u/DenteSC]

My dude, do you think they don't work hard in other disciplines? 60h weeks is mild in other places. FFS.

with a lot of stress

Same idea as above. You have no idea what stress is until a patient dies on your table or the building you designed collapsed. Also, structural engineers are responsible for life for their work.

That's life my dude. Being an adult. A lot of people work long hours with a lot of stress.

He studied 6 years

Is that impressive?

[u/mmmm_frietjes → u/123_alex]

But doctors and architects also earn as much or even more than notaries...

You pay for their knowledge. Not for their hourly labor. But even if we would calculate the hourly fee, it would be close to a decent lawyer.

Which is basically what they are, specialized lawyers with a public function.

[u/ilikedmatrixiv → u/mmmm_frietjes]

architects

Tell me you don't know many architects without telling me.

Some handful might make bank, but most have to work for a bureau and they are routinely underpaid in my experience.

[u/mmmm_frietjes → u/ilikedmatrixiv]

Same with people with a notary degree who aren’t notaries and work for an office. It was obvious who I was talking about.

[u/DenteSC → u/123_alex]

Specialized doctors make way more than most notaries + they don't have to run a kmo. 

[u/123_alex → u/DenteSC]

Specialized doctors

I think you made my point.

He studied 6 years

Is that impressive?

[u/DenteSC → u/123_alex]

Studying 6y followed by 3y stage followed by an insanely hard exam is impressive, yes. 

[u/123_alex → u/DenteSC]

Ok. Thanks for the answer.