Testament before the Notar: Costs & Process

What does a Testament before the Notar cost in 2026?

A notarial Testament is a will notarised by the Notar (German notary, see § 20 BNotO) that is automatically taken into official custody at the Amtsgericht and into the Zentrales Testamentsregister of the Bundesnotarkammer. The costs are regulated by statute: the Notar can demand neither more nor less. The legal basis is the Gerichts- und Notarkostengesetz (GNotKG), which calculates the fees on the basis of the Geschäftswert.

The Geschäftswert corresponds under § 102 GNotKG to the Reinvermögen (net estate) of the Erblasser (testator) at the time of notarisation: all assets minus all liabilities. The Notar fee is then derived from Tabelle B under § 34 para. 3 GNotKG.

For a single Testament a 1.0-fold fee applies under KV no. 21100 GNotKG. For a joint Testament (such as a Berliner Testament with its inheritance tax consequences) the doubled fee is charged, i.e. a 2.0-fold fee. An Erbvertrag also costs the 2.0-fold fee.

Practical note: if the will contains only legacies, division directions or conditions — that is no appointment of an heir — the fee is reduced by 50 % (Preliminary note 2.1.1 para. 4 KV GNotKG). This constellation is rare but can be relevant for pure Pflichtteil supplements or legacy solutions.

Fee table: Notarkosten by asset value (as of 2026)

The following table shows the Notarkosten for a single Testament (1.0-fold fee) and a joint Testament (2.0-fold fee). Notar fees are subject to 19 % VAT (§ 12 UStG). The full fee table can be found on gesetze-im-internet.de zum GNotKG.

Costs of a single Testament (1.0-fold fee)

Costs of a joint Testament (2.0-fold fee)

The custody fee at the Amtsgericht is a one-off EUR 75 (KV no. 12100 GNotKG). Registration with the Zentrales Testamentsregister costs an additional EUR 18 (EUR 15 fee + EUR 3 expenses). These amounts apply regardless of the asset value.

Concrete calculation example: Family Schneider (net estate EUR 750,000)

To give you a realistic sense of the costs, here is a fully worked practice example.

Family situation: Mr and Mrs Schneider, both 62 years old, two adult children. They want to set up a Berliner Testament.

Asset overview:

Variant A — Berliner Testament before the Notar:

Variant B — handwritten Berliner Testament + Erbschein at the succession event:

Result: at first glance Variant B is cheaper. But Variant A offers three advantages that cannot be measured in euros: the Notar checks testamentary capacity (§ 28 BeurkG), rules out formal errors and avoids disputes between heirs about interpretation. Where the estate includes a family home, this legal certainty is almost always worth the additional EUR 500. Early Nachfolgeplanung with professional support pays off precisely in such family constellations.

What is included in the price?

The Notar fee covers the entire process. There are no hidden additional costs for individual services:

• Initial consultation: the Notar discusses your family and financial situation, your wishes and the legal options with you.
• Draft: the Notar prepares a full draft of the Testament that implements your wishes in a legally secure way.
• Changes: corrections and adjustments to the draft are included in the fee.
• Notarisation: the Notar reads out the Testament; you sign it in their presence (§ 13 BeurkG).
• Official custody: the notarial Testament is automatically deposited with the competent Amtsgericht (§ 34 BeurkG).
• Testamentsregister: the Notar registers the Testament with the Zentrales Testamentsregister of the Bundesnotarkammer.

What the fee does not cover

• Tax advice: the Notar advises on the succession-law rules, not on tax optimisation. For inheritance-tax structuring you need a Steuerberater (German tax advisor).
• Complex preliminary clarifications: in very involved cases (international elements, business valuations) additional advisory fees may arise.
• Land register entries: if the Testament is connected with property transfers, separate land register fees apply.

Handwritten vs. notarial Testament: comparison

Both forms of Testament are legally equivalent under § 2231 BGB. The differences lie in how they are created, kept and what follow-on costs arise at the succession event.

Comparison table

The hidden saving: no Erbschein needed

A notarial Testament makes the Erbschein unnecessary in most cases. The opened notarial Testament is sufficient under § 35 para. 1 sentence 2 GBO as proof vis-à-vis the land registry office; banks and authorities also regularly accept it without further evidence.

The Erbschein costs depend on the estate value:

At an estate of EUR 500,000 the heirs therefore save around EUR 1,870 in Erbschein costs through the notarial Testament. The Notarkosten for the Testament in this case are EUR 1,188. On balance the notarial Testament is therefore cheaper than a handwritten Testament followed by an Erbschein.

Notar or lawyer: who is cheaper?

A common question: is it cheaper to have a Testament drafted by a lawyer? The answer is nuanced:

• Lawyer's fees follow the RVG or an agreed fee. A Testament drafted by a lawyer but only implemented in handwritten form typically costs between EUR 300 and EUR 1,500.
• Caution: the lawyer may not notarise the Testament themselves — that is reserved exclusively to the Notar (§ 20 BNotO). If you pay the lawyer and then go to the Notar, you pay twice.
• Only notarisation gives you the two big advantages: official custody and the Erbschein saving.

Rule of thumb: advisory legal work is worth it for very complex cases (international elements, company shares, dispute-prone constellations) — in addition to notarisation. For the standard case the direct route to the Notar is cheaper and faster.

When does the Notar pay off?

A notarial Testament is not necessary in every situation. In certain constellations, however, it is almost indispensable:

The Notar pays off where there is

• Real estate ownership: for land register changes at the succession event a § 35 GBO requires either an Erbschein or a notarial Testament. The notarial Testament is cheaper.
• Unternehmensnachfolge (business succession): the transfer of company shares requires precise wording. Mistakes can endanger the entire succession plan.
• Patchwork families: stepchildren, children from previous relationships, current spouses: statutory succession almost never fits here. The Notar ensures all provisions are legally secure.
• Testamentary executor: if you want to appoint a Testamentsvollstrecker, the Notar ensures an effective order under §§ 2197 ff. BGB.
• Estate over EUR 100,000: above this value the Erbschein costs usually exceed the Notarkosten. The notarial Testament pays for itself through the Erbschein saving alone.
• Advanced age or illness: where there are doubts about testamentary capacity, notarisation protects against later contestation. The Notar examines and documents testamentary capacity under § 28 BeurkG.

A handwritten Testament is enough where there is

• Simple asset structure without real estate and without company shares
• A clear family constellation (couple with shared children, no special wishes)
• Low estate value (under EUR 50,000, where Notarkosten would be high in proportion)
• An interim arrangement until a notarial Testament is prepared

How to draft a legally effective handwritten Testament and avoid the 7 most common errors when writing a Testament is set out in the linked guide.

Process: from initial conversation to notarisation

Step 1: arrange a Notar appointment

Choose a Notar near you. You are not bound to a particular Notar. The first appointment is for taking stock: the Notar records your family situation, your assets and your wishes.

Step 2: preparation

Bring to the appointment:

• Family tree: spouse, children (also from earlier relationships), grandchildren
• Asset overview: real estate, accounts, securities depots, company shareholdings, insurance
• Liabilities: loans, guarantees, current obligations
• Existing contracts: marriage contracts, partnership agreements, Erbverträge, earlier Testamente
• Your wishes: who should inherit what? Are there conditions? Should a Testamentsvollstrecker be appointed?

Step 3: draft

Based on the conversation the Notar prepares a draft Testament. You receive this for review. Take your time to read the draft and clarify any questions. Changes are included in the fee.

Step 4: notarisation appointment

At the notarisation appointment the Notar reads out the Testament in full (§ 13 BeurkG). You have the opportunity to make last changes. You then sign the Testament. The Notar confirms notarisation with seal and signature.

Step 5: custody and registration

The Notar transfers the Testament into official custody at the competent Amtsgericht. At the same time they register it with the Zentrales Testamentsregister of the Bundesnotarkammer. At the succession event the Testament is automatically found and opened.

Time frame: from the initial conversation to notarisation usually takes two to four weeks. For simple cases it can be faster; for complex asset situations the drafting phase takes longer.

Additional costs: Erbvertrag, Testamentsregister and land register

Erbvertrag instead of a Testament

An Erbvertrag is an alternative to the Testament and binds all contracting parties (§ 1941 BGB). The Notarkosten correspond to the 2.0-fold fee on the Geschäftswert, i.e. the same costs as a joint Testament. The Erbvertrag is especially sensible where the Erblasser wants to commit themselves bindingly vis-à-vis the heir (for example in care agreements or business transfers).

Testamentsregister

Registration with the Zentrales Testamentsregister costs EUR 18 (one-off). With notarial Testamente registration happens automatically. With handwritten Testamente that are deposited with the Amtsgericht likewise.

Land register costs at the succession event

If real estate forms part of the estate, the land register must be transferred to the heirs. Land register correction at the succession event is fee-free within two years of the succession event (§ 60 para. 4 GNotKG in conjunction with KV no. 14110). If the application is filed later, a 1.0-fold fee applies based on the value of the property. For real estate worth EUR 300,000 that is around EUR 635.

Changing or revoking a Testament

A notarial Testament can be changed or revoked at any time. However, every change requires a new Notar appointment with a new fee. The fee is calculated again on the current Geschäftswert.

Alternatively, you can also revoke a notarial Testament by a handwritten Testament (§ 2253 BGB). The handwritten revocation Testament must refer unambiguously to the notarial Testament. Important: if you take the notarial Testament out of official custody, that is treated as a revocation under § 2256 BGB.

Note: a joint Testament (such as the Berliner Testament) usually cannot be changed unilaterally after the death of the first spouse (§ 2271 BGB). This binding effect should be carefully weighed before drawing it up.

Frequently asked questions

What does a Testament before the Notar cost at EUR 500,000 estate?

A single Testament at a net estate of EUR 500,000 in 2026 costs around EUR 1,188 (EUR 935 net fee plus 19 % VAT = EUR 1,113, plus EUR 75 custody fee at the Amtsgericht). A joint Testament (Berliner Testament) at the same estate value costs around EUR 2,300. The registration with the Zentrales Testamentsregister (EUR 18) is added once.

How are the Notarkosten for a Testament calculated?

Notarkosten follow § 34 GNotKG (Tabelle B) and are calculated on the basis of the Geschäftswert — that is the net estate (assets minus liabilities) at the time of notarisation. A 1.0-fold fee is applied to the value (single Testament) or 2.0-fold (joint Testament, Erbvertrag). 19 % VAT and the custody fee of EUR 75 are added.

Is a notarial Testament better than a handwritten one?

Both are legally equivalent under § 2231 BGB. However, the notarial Testament offers advantages: professional advice, lower contestation risk, secure storage and no Erbschein needed. With real estate ownership or estates over EUR 100,000 the notarial Testament is often cheaper on balance.

What does a Testament before a lawyer cost compared with the Notar?

A lawyer may draft a Testament but not notarise it — that is reserved to the Notar under § 20 BNotO. Lawyer drafts cost between EUR 300 and EUR 1,500 depending on effort, and replace neither official custody nor the Erbschein saving. Anyone combining both routes (lawyer + Notar) pays twice. For standard cases the direct route to the Notar is cheaper and faster.

Do I still need a Steuerberater?

Yes. The Notar advises on succession-law provisions, not on tax optimisation. Inheritance-tax structuring (allowances, gift strategy, valuation of real estate and businesses) requires tax expertise. Ideally Notar and Steuerberater work together.

Can I change a notarial Testament myself?

You can change or revoke a notarial Testament either by a new notarial Testament or by a handwritten Testament (§ 2253 BGB). Change by a handwritten Testament is informal, but it is recommended to refer clearly to the notarial Testament being changed. With the joint Testament observe the binding effect under § 2271 BGB.

How long does it take to prepare a notarial Testament?

From the initial conversation to notarisation usually two to four weeks. The notarisation appointment itself takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on complexity.

Do I have to go to a Notar in my own town?

No. You can choose any Notar in Germany. For official custody, the Amtsgericht at the Erblasser's place of residence is competent, but the Notar handles forwarding.

Conclusion

The costs of a notarial Testament are regulated by statute, transparent and predictable in 2026. With assets over EUR 100,000 the notarial Testament pays for itself through the saved Erbschein costs alone. Anyone owning real estate, running a business or having a patchwork family should not forgo the professional advice and legal certainty of the Notar.

Use the Succession Navigator to check which succession-law arrangements are relevant for your situation. For tax optimisation of your succession planning, supplementary advice from a specialised Steuerberater for a second opinion is recommended.

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Do you want to draft your Testament in a legally secure and tax-optimised way? As a Steuerberater (German tax advisor) with a focus on succession planning, I support you in coordinating between Notar and tax structuring. Arrange an obligation-free Erstgespraech.

Further detail answers

• Testament 2026: types, basics, Pflichtteil, strategy — Main guide for the cluster
• Writing a Testament: guide and 7 errors — The alternative handwritten form
• Berliner Testament 2026: template, Pflichtteil, errors — The most common notarial spouse Testament
• Contesting a Testament 2026: grounds, deadlines, chances — With notarial Testament lower contestation risk
• Topic hub Testament — Full overview