For most paperwork you sign yourself, but a handful of important acts in the Netherlands legally require a notaris. It is worth knowing when you cannot avoid one, and what this powerful, neutral official actually does. Here is the rundown.
What a notaris is
A notaris (civil-law notary) is an impartial legal official whose involvement is legally required for certain acts. They draft, read out, and register an official deed (akte), and verify everyone’s identity and intentions. Key point: a notaris is neutral, serving the legality of the act, not your side, so they are not your personal lawyer (advocaat). The notaries’ organisation KNB sets the standards.
When you need one
| You want to… | Deed (akte) |
|---|---|
| Buy a house | leveringsakte (transfer) + hypotheekakte (mortgage) |
| Make a will | het testament |
| Set up a cohabitation contract | het samenlevingscontract |
| Agree prenuptial conditions | de huwelijkse voorwaarden |
| Make a large gift / form a BV | de schenkingsakte / company deed |
For these, only a notaris can draw up the official, registered deed, you cannot do them with a private contract alone, as the Rijksoverheid confirms. Buying a home is the big one: the notaris handles the transfer and registers it in the Kadaster (land registry), which connects to the vocabulary for house transfers.
What it costs
Notaris fees (notariskosten) are not fixed, so you can and should compare quotes (offertes), especially for a will or a samenlevingscontract. Guides for newcomers like IamExpat suggest getting a few quotes.
The deed is in Dutch: protect yourself
The akte is in Dutch, and signing it has full legal effect. By law the notaris must ensure you understand what you sign, so:
- ask for an explanation in English, and
- for important deeds, you may need or want a sworn translator (beedigd tolk) present, see whether you legally need a translator at the notaris.
Never sign something you do not understand.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| de notaris | civil-law notary |
| de akte | (official) deed |
| het testament | will |
| de hypotheek | mortgage |
| passeren | to execute/sign (a deed) |
| het Kadaster | land registry |
Where it connects
The notaris comes up across big life steps: buying a house and house transfers, a samenlevingscontract, getting married, and needing a translator there. Owning that house also brings the municipal taxes, and your tax position may include the 30% ruling.
The bottom line
You need a notaris for a house purchase (leveringsakte + hypotheekakte), a testament, a samenlevingscontract or huwelijkse voorwaarden, and some gifts and company deeds. They draft and register the akte and are neutral, not your advocate. Compare fees, and because the deed is in Dutch, ask for an English explanation or a sworn translator, and never sign what you do not understand.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the notaris and legal-document vocabulary, notaris, akte, testament, samenlevingscontract, in five-minute lessons built on real deeds, so a legal appointment is clear and you know what you are signing.
Frequently asked questions
When do you need a notaris in the Netherlands?
A notaris (civil-law notary) is legally required for certain acts: buying a house (the property transfer deed, leveringsakte, and the mortgage deed, hypotheekakte), making a will (testament), drawing up a samenlevingscontract (cohabitation contract) or huwelijkse voorwaarden (prenuptial agreement), and often for gifts above a threshold or forming a BV (company). For these, only a notaris can draw up the official, registered deed (akte); you cannot do them with a private contract alone.
What does a notaris actually do?
A notaris drafts, reads out and registers an official deed (akte), and verifies the identities and intentions of the parties. Crucially, a notaris is impartial: they serve the legality of the act, not one side, so they are not your personal lawyer (advocaat). They keep the original deed and register it where required (for example property in the Kadaster). For advice in your interest you may also want separate legal advice.
Is the notaris deed in Dutch, and can I get it in English?
Yes, the akte (deed) is in Dutch, and signing it has full legal effect. By law the notaris must ensure you understand what you are signing, so you can ask for an explanation in English, and for important deeds you may need or want a sworn translator (beedigd tolk/vertaler) present. Do not sign anything you do not understand; a good notaris will take the time to explain the key points.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for legal and notary matters?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the legal-document vocabulary you meet, notaris, akte, testament, samenlevingscontract, hypotheek, in five-minute real-situation lessons, so a notaris appointment is clear and you understand what you are signing.
