Switzerland: selling property
The full process in 5 steps: the taxes you pay, what each stage costs and how long it takes (~75 days on average). Free guide, no account needed.
Process steps
1
Check whether your buyer needs a Lex Koller permit
⏱ 1-2 weeks · 💰 free
2
Notary drafts the deed — public notarisation is mandatory
⏱ 2-4 weeks · 💰 0.1-0.5%
3
Both parties sign before the notary
⏱ 1 day · 💰 included
4
Entry in the Grundbuch (land register)
⏱ 1-4 weeks · 💰 0.1-0.5%
5
Settle the cantonal property gains tax
⏱ 1-3 months · 💰 cantonal scale
Taxes & fees
grundstueckgewinnsteuer
cantonal — depends on the canton and how long you owned it
transfer tax
0-3.3% (cantonal, none in ZH/ZG/SZ/UR/GL/SH)
notary fee
0.1-0.5%
agent fee
~2.5% + VAT
⚠️ What costs you money if you miss it
Your pool of buyers is smaller than you think. A foreign buyer needs authorisation, can only buy a holiday home in a designated tourist commune, and competes for a national quota — 1,500 units a year today, with a federal proposal to cut it to 600. Check your buyer stands a chance before you take the property off the market.
There is no Swiss rate — there is your canton’s rate. The gain is taxed by the canton, not the Confederation, and the scale depends on how long you have owned the property. Two identical sales in two cantons produce two different bills, so read your own canton’s scale before you fix a completion date.
⚠️ Informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed local lawyer.
Check what a property here is actually worthOpen the free valuation