Closing costs

When buying any type of property, the buyer(s) will need to pay closing costs, on top of the purchase price. These costs vary depending on the state (canton) or even the city you are buying your property in, but usually equal about 5% of the purchase price. For transaction less than CHF 800k, the fees can sometimes exceed 5%

What is included in the closing costs ?

• Transfer tax fees (called «Droits de mutation», collected by the state (canton) and the city for each real estate transaction)
• The purchase contract fees (fixed legal fees collected by the notary)
• VAT
• The land registry fees (called « Registre foncier»)
• The notary fees (meeting(s), emails, letters, phone calls, etc.)

Depending on the case, the fees for the mortgage title (called « Cédule hypothécaire »), can be included or not.

Calculation

Below, you’ll find an estimate of the closing costs depending on the state (canton) you are buying the property in (indicative, does not include the mortgage title fees) :

Transfer tax fees

These costs represent the largest part of the 5% fees. As indicated above, they are collected by the state (canton) and the city.

Below, a look around at the transfer tax fees depending on the state (canton) :

Vaud : The same for the whole state, 3.3%

Geneva : The same for the whole state, 3%

Neuchâtel : The same for the whole state, 2.2% if the buyer(s) stay in the property at least 2 years, 3.3% if not.

Fribourg : 3% for the whole state, exept for the french speaking cities of St-Aubin, Vaulruz, Chénens, Ferpicloz et Pierrafortscha where the rate is slightly lower.

Valais : for the state (canton) 1% for a purchase price between CHF 50’001.- and CHF 500k / 1.3% for a purchase price between CHF 500’001.- and CHF 1 mio / 1.5% for a purchase price higher than CHF 1 moi. The city will bill its own transfer tax fee, which will not exeed 50% of the state (canton) fee.