Closing costs in the canton of Geneva
Overview
Geneva levies the classic registration duty (droit de vente) on a purchase — and the law explicitly rules out communal additional centimes on it. Owner-occupiers get a Geneva speciality, the Casatax: a fixed, annually indexed rebate taken directly off the duty, provided the purchase price stays below the equally indexed ceiling; if the mortgage note finances that primary residence, the duties on setting it up are halved as well. Buyers who miss the deadlines for moving in or for continuous occupation face a clawback. Deeds are notarized by independent notaries, but the state fixes their emoluments in binding degressive tranches, and the land register fee is capped per operation.
The table lists the four cost blocks with tariff type, who pays, source and check date; run your own purchase through the calculator. The canton overview compares all cantons, and the basics are covered in the guide to the transfer tax.
The four cost blocks
| Cost block | Tariff | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax | flat rate Primary-residence relief may apply Source: silgeneve.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Notary fees | tiered rate (plus VAT) Source: silgeneve.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Land register fees | flat rate Source: silgeneve.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Mortgage note | several fees (plus VAT) Source: silgeneve.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Casatax and who benefits from it?
A fixed rebate deducted directly from the registration duty for buyers who use the property as their primary residence and whose purchase stays below an annually indexed price ceiling. The table shows the current amounts.
What conditions come with the Casatax?
You must move in within the statutory period after the deed and then live in the property continuously for several years — otherwise the canton claws the rebate back.
Are there communal surcharges on purchase duties in Geneva?
No. Additional centimes on the droit de vente are excluded by law; the surcharges that exist on other duties are cantonal, not communal.