How much does a notary earn? Average salary and income

How much does a notary earn in Italy?

Curiosity about the earnings of a notary is common among both aspiring professionals and citizens who use notarial services.
The role of a notary, a key figure in real estate, inheritance, and corporate transactions, is surrounded by an aura of prestige and responsibility, but also by doubts about actual income, as notaries are notoriously one of the categories with the highest salaries.

Roles and responsibilities of a notary

A notary plays the role of a public official and is responsible for receiving acts during life and last will, such as wills, giving them public faith, keeping them, and issuing copies, certificates, and extracts.
Notarial acts are particularly important under the law to ensure legality, the identity of the parties, and compliance with their will, especially in transactions of significant complexity or socio-economic impact.

Among the most common acts drafted by notaries are real estate sales, mortgages, company incorporation deeds, and wills.
These documents require a careful examination of the parties’ will and a meticulous translation into legal terms to avoid future disputes.

Legal obligations and risks in case of errors

Notaries are required to operate with the utmost diligence and transparency, respecting professional secrecy and refraining from exercising their functions in case of conflicts of interest.
They must also ensure that each notarial act complies with the law and the will of the parties, taking responsibility for any errors or omissions.

Errors in a notarial act can have serious legal and financial consequences for both the parties involved and the notary.
Notaries’ professional responsibility includes compensating for damages caused by illegal or illicit acts.
Furthermore, serious violations can lead to disciplinary sanctions, such as suspension or removal from the profession.

Salary of a notary – The complete guide

Although the earning prospects are very high, law students who choose to pursue this career are decreasing; the reason lies in the complexity of the path, which is long and selective.
For a detailed study and training path to become a notary, we refer to our dedicated article.
Here, we will focus on how much a notary earns on average, based on their duties and assignments.

Notary salary in Italy – A breakdown by experience

The average monthly and yearly salary of a notary can vary significantly based on factors like region, experience, and clientele.
In Italy, the initial salary for a notary at the beginning of their career is around €60,000 per year, with an average monthly income of about €5,000.

As the career progresses, a notary’s earnings can increase significantly.
For experienced notaries with 10-20 years of practice, the average salary can exceed €300,000 per year, especially for those nearing retirement.

In general, notaries are among the highest-earning professionals in Italy, with an average gross salary of €265,000 annually, equivalent to around €10,790 net per month.
This represents a 596% higher income compared to the country’s average monthly salary of about €1,550 net.

Variation in notarial fees based on region

The income of notaries can vary considerably in Italy depending on the region they operate in.
This variation is mainly due to the absence of fixed notarial fees, with each notary autonomously determining their fee based on various factors.
For instance, the value of the property and the amount of the mortgage play a significant role in determining the fees for a sales or mortgage deed.

Current data on the number of notaries in Italy

The number of notaries in Italy has undergone significant changes in recent years, influenced by various demographic and legislative factors.

With a recent decree reducing the number of notarial offices, reflecting adjustments to the declining resident population and demand for notarial services, there has been a shift in the distribution of notaries.
This highlights the need for a regional approach in managing notarial offices to ensure that the supply is adequately aligned with local demand.

Understanding the current data on the number of notaries and the distribution of notarial offices in Italy is crucial for comprehending the sector’s dynamics and adequately planning resources in a context of demographic and economic changes.