Selling quickly your property in Switzerland : how does a 15-day buyout work ?
April 28, 2026
The different types of property mortgages in Switzerland
May 5, 2026Selling quickly your property in Switzerland : how does a 15-day buyout work ?
April 28, 2026The different types of property mortgages in Switzerland
May 5, 2026
Notary fees by canton in Switzerland: how much should you budget for a property purchase ?
Notary fees by canton in Switzerland: how much should you budget for a property purchase?
When buying a property in Switzerland, you need to budget for additional costs on top of the purchase price.
These are often referred to as notary fees, but in reality they are acquisition costs. They may include the notary’s fees, land registry fees, costs related to the mortgage certificate and, depending on the canton, property transfer tax.
These costs vary significantly from one canton to another.
In some cantons, they are relatively low. In others, they can amount to several tens of thousands of francs.
Before buying, it is therefore important to include them in your budget.
To estimate your purchasing capacity, you can use our mortgage calculator.
What do acquisition costs include?
People often refer to them as notary fees, but they are more accurately acquisition costs related to the property purchase.
These costs may include several elements depending on the canton, municipality and financing.
| Type of fee | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Notary fees | Preparation and official signing of the deed of sale |
| Property transfer tax | Tax paid when ownership changes, depending on the canton |
| Land registry | Registration of the new owner in the land registry |
| Mortgage certificate fees | Fees related to securing the mortgage loan |
Acquisition costs can reach up to 5% of the sale price, depending on the canton and the situation.
This shows why it is essential to budget for them in addition to the property price.
Why do fees vary from one canton to another?
In Switzerland, each canton applies its own rules.
This is why property purchase costs are not the same in Vaud, Geneva, Fribourg, Valais, Zurich or Zug.
For example, some cantons apply a significant tax when purchasing a property.
Other cantons, such as Zurich, Zug or Schwyz, are much more advantageous in this regard.
Notary fees and acquisition costs by canton: a simple overview
The figures below are indicative estimates of the costs to budget for when buying a property in Switzerland.
People often refer to them as notary fees, but it is important to distinguish between the notary’s fees and acquisition costs. Acquisition costs include all costs related to the purchase, such as notary fees, property transfer tax, land registry fees and costs related to the mortgage certificate.
The exact amount depends on the canton, the municipality, the property price, the deed to be prepared, the financing and sometimes the notary or competent office.
These figures are provided for indicative purposes only. For more accurate and up-to-date information, consult the official website of the canton concerned, the cantonal land registry or request an estimate directly from a notary.
| Canton | Indicative acquisition costs | Indicative notary fees |
|---|---|---|
| Aargau | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | approx. 1% to 2.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.2% |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | approx. 1% to 2% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Basel-Landschaft | approx. 3% to 4% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| Basel-Stadt | approx. 3% to 4% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| Bern | approx. 2% to 3% | approx. 0.35% to 0.56%, depending on the price |
| Fribourg | approx. 3% to 4% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| Geneva | approx. 3.5% to 4.5% | approx. 0.4% to 0.6% |
| Glarus | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Graubünden | approx. 1.5% to 3% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| Jura | approx. 3% to 5% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| Lucerne | approx. 2% to 3% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| Neuchâtel | approx. 4% to 5% | approx. 0.2% to 0.5% |
| Nidwalden | approx. 1% to 2% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Obwalden | approx. 1.5% to 2.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Schaffhausen | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.2% |
| Schwyz | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.2% |
| Solothurn | approx. 2.5% to 3.5% | approx. 0.2% to 0.4% |
| St. Gallen | approx. 1% to 2% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Ticino | approx. 1% to 2% | approx. 0.4% to 0.6% |
| Thurgau | approx. 1% to 2% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Uri | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.3% |
| Vaud | approx. 4% to 5% | approx. 0.2% to 0.5% |
| Valais | approx. 2.5% to 3.5% | approx. 0.4% to 0.6% |
| Zug | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% to 0.2% |
| Zurich | approx. 0.5% to 1.5% | approx. 0.1% |
Simple example
For a property purchased for CHF 1,000,000, purchase costs may amount to:
- around CHF 5,000 in a canton where fees are low;
- around CHF 20,000 to CHF 30,000 in a medium-cost canton;
- sometimes CHF 40,000 or more in a canton where fees are high.
These costs must be budgeted in addition to the equity required for the purchase.
For example, for a property worth CHF 1,000,000, you should generally budget for:
| Item | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum equity | CHF 200,000 |
| Purchase costs depending on the canton | CHF 5,000 to CHF 50,000 |
| Total budget to plan for | CHF 205,000 to CHF 250,000 |
To get a better idea of your budget, you can run a more accurate simulation with our mortgage calculator.
Who pays these fees?
In most cases, these fees are paid by the buyer.
This includes, in particular, property transfer tax, land registry fees and financing-related costs.
However, the exact allocation may vary depending on the canton or the agreement between the buyer and the seller.
Can these costs be financed with the mortgage?
In general, no.
Purchase costs must be paid using the buyer’s own funds.
They are therefore added on top of the equity required to obtain a mortgage.
A common mistake is to budget only for the 20% equity requirement, without adding the purchase costs.
How can you avoid unpleasant surprises?
Before buying, it is advisable to:
- ask for an estimate of the fees before signing;
- check the fees applicable in the canton concerned;
- include an additional margin in your budget;
- simulate your financing in advance.
Good preparation helps you avoid discovering significant costs at the last minute.
How can Immoprice help you?
With Immoprice, you can better prepare your property purchase project by estimating your budget and financing capacity.
Before buying, it is important to take into account the property price, the required equity, purchase costs depending on the canton, and the possible mortgage amount.
Our mortgage calculator allows you to run an initial simulation in order to anticipate the total budget you need to plan for.