Swiss property closing costs — canton by canton
Four one-off cost blocks determine what you pay on top of the purchase price. We explain them per canton — every figure with an official source and check date.
Calculate closing costs
Estimated closing costs
Zurich
- Transfer tax (Buyer) not levied
- Notary fees (split (buyer 50%)) CHF 1’081
- Land register fees (split (buyer 50%)) CHF 1’000
- Mortgage note (Buyer) CHF 1’664.80
Buyer pays CHF 2’705.30
Whole transaction CHF 3’745.80
An estimate based on cantonal tariffs, not legal or tax advice. Municipal surcharges, disbursements and special cases can change the result; the notary and land registry are authoritative.
Every rate comes from official cantonal sources with a check date — see the canton page.
The four cost blocks
Transfer tax (Handänderungssteuer)
A cantonal tax on the change of ownership. Whether and how much depends on the canton; some cantons do not levy it at all.
Notary fees
The cost of notarising the purchase deed. Depending on the canton, a fixed tariff or freely negotiated.
Land register fees
The fee for recording the change of ownership in the land register — set by each canton.
Mortgage note (Schuldbrief)
Only applies with a mortgage: creating or amending the mortgage note, calculated on the pledged amount.
Cheap and expensive cantons
Most expensive
- Geneva CHF 37’721.20
- Neuchâtel CHF 37’548.95
- Basel-City CHF 33’702.50
Example calculation: Example at CHF 1’000’000. Example calculation: buyer total without a mortgage and without municipal surcharges; details and sources on each canton page.