What does it cost to buy property in Switzerland?
Listing commissions are commonly seller-paid. Buyers using their own adviser may owe a separate agreed fee. Check the mandate, fee basis and VAT; there is no assumed national split.
Regional choices: Aargau · Appenzell Ausserrhoden · Appenzell Innerrhoden · Basel-Landschaft · Basel-Stadt · Bern · Fribourg · Genève · Glarus · Graubünden · Jura · Luzern · Neuchâtel · Nidwalden · Obwalden · Schaffhausen · Schwyz · Solothurn · St. Gallen · Thurgau · Ticino · Uri · Valais · Vaud · Zug · Zürich. The example below uses Aargau.
Calculate my property costsExample: €500,000 resale purchase
| Fee | Indicative amount | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cantonal transfer tax (buyer share) Statutory buyer rate; contracts may agree a split with the seller. | €2,000 | estimate 2026-10-15 Source |
| Notary and land registry Approximate cantonal tariff; free-notary cantons vary — get a quote. | €500 – €1,500 | estimate 2026-10-15 Source |
| Legal adviser Foreign buyers are restricted by the Lex Koller law. | €0 – €5,405 | estimate 2026-10-13 |
| Buyer's agent (search & negotiation) Listing commissions are commonly seller-paid. Buyers using their own adviser may owe a separate agreed fee. Check the mandate, fee basis and VAT; there is no assumed national split. | €10,810 – €16,215 Only if owed under your agreement | estimate 2026-10-14 Source |
| Home insurance · first year Country-average first-year budget for buildings and contents cover. Size, location, rebuild value and cover change the price; get quotes. | €200 – €500 | estimate 2026-10-15 |
Common questions
Who pays the estate agency?
Listing commissions are commonly seller-paid. Buyers using their own adviser may owe a separate agreed fee. Check the mandate, fee basis and VAT; there is no assumed national split.
Can the fees differ locally?
Yes. Choose the actual region in the calculator and check reduced-rate eligibility and taxable valuations with your adviser.
Are mortgages or insurance included?
Financing is separate. First-year home insurance is included only where a sourced estimate is available; otherwise a quote is needed. Personal gains taxes, special exemptions and unknown commission are not complete estimates.
Does the IIPE route guarantee a saving?
No. Taxes and required costs remain payable. Only your avoidable, separately agreed agency fee can be compared with IIPE services, assuming the same property price and outcome. An existing mandate may still require payment.