The plan to increase notary fees has been under discussion for nearly two years. In July 2024, Minister of Justice Madis Timpson sent a bill that raises the price of notarial acts by an average of 74 percent. For example, a will would then cost 55 euros, instead of 32 euros. The cost of an inheritance certificate would rise to 174 euros.
The plan has been on the government's table but has not received approval. Now, six members of the Riigikogu have initiated a similar bill. Among them are members of both the coalition and the opposition. The leader is former Minister of Justice Madis Timpson.
Timpson says that notary services should be accessible across Estonia. He would not want to live in a country where using notary services requires traveling to Tallinn or Tartu.
Only one notary now works in Saaremaa. The Kuressaare office closed in May. Notary Katrin Sepp now works in Tallinn.
The Chamber of Notaries believes that a notary's monthly turnover should be around 30,000 euros. Currently, in rural areas, it averages 18,000 euros.
Varro Vooglaid, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, says that the problem of notaries in rural areas is real. The solution should be more precise. He does not believe that the current plan will help enough.
Vooglaid says that Tallinn and Tartu notaries should contribute more to the notaries' common fund. This fund could support offices in smaller regions.
Timpson says that Tallinn offices are already helping rural notaries. Notaries pay 5 percent of their turnover into the common fund. Notaries in smaller places also receive discounts.
Katrin Sepp says that the new price list would help notary services across Estonia. The bill will help more rural notaries. Fees for smaller transactions, such as inheritance and wills, will rise.
Ultimately, people who need notary services will pay the fees. For example, when buying a home or formalizing an inheritance.