Selling property in Switzerland: A complete guide for UK residents

Planning on selling a property in Switzerland? Whether it’s a holiday home chalet in the Swiss alps or an apartment in Zurich, read on.

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide for UK expats and overseas property owners on selling property in Switzerland. It covers everything you need to know, including estate agent and solicitor fees, taxes, timescales, what documents you’ll need and a step-by-step guide to the sales process.

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Selling property in Switzerland as a non-resident - a step-by-step guide

For foreigners selling property in Switzerland for the first time, it’s important to get to grips with how the process works.

You’ll have some understanding of it from your experience buying Swiss property, but it can be a little different from a seller’s perspective.

Let’s run through the main steps, so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Commission a surveyor to do a home assessment

The rules on selling property are a little different in Switzerland compared to the UK.

Under the Swiss Code of Obligations, you’re legally required as the seller to disclose any defects or issues to potential buyers.¹ In the UK, the onus is on each individual buyer to commission their own survey to discover any problems.

So to comply with Swiss laws, it’s recommended to get a home assessment carried out by a surveyor. This is often included as part of a professional valuation.

Depending on the results, you might want to make some improvements and repairs to the property. You’re not obliged to do this, but it could increase the property value. The only thing you are legally obligated to do is let buyers know of any unresolved issues - if they affect the value.

2. Get your documentation together

Before you put your property on the market, you need to make sure you have all the required paperwork.

Here’s what you should have ready:²

• Your ID, such as a valid passport
• Cantonal Energy Certificate for Buildings (CECB, although it’s known as GEAK in German)
• Floor and plot plans for the property, along with detailed construction descriptions
• Current land register excerpts and recent cadastral plans
• Building insurance policies
• Information on any special features of the property (i.e. historical court decisions relating to it) if relevant
• Calculations for real estate gains tax, tax value and potential rental value
• Service charge statements for the last few years
• All details and documents relating to the mortgage.

One of the most important is the energy certificate, as it’s mandatory in Switzerland to have this before you can sell a property. So this may be another survey you need to commission, if you don’t have a recent certificate.

3. Find an estate agent

The next step is to find a real estate agent to market and sell the property. It isn’t mandatory to use one, but it is advisable - especially if you’re selling a Swiss holiday home while still living in the UK, or if you’re unfamiliar with the local property market.

An agent will handle the sales process on your behalf, including:

• Valuing the property
• Taking photographs
• Listing the property on real estate websites
• Hosting viewings
• Handling the paperwork
• Communicating with buyers and dealing with negotiations.

Crucially, a Swiss agent will have the local knowledge and expertise to sell your property at a good price.

To choose an estate agent, it’s a good idea to look for English-speaking agents with experience of working with UK sellers and expats. Look for a verified agent through the Swiss Real Estate Association (SVIT) or the Swiss Union of Real Estate Professionals (USPI Suisse).

4. Advertise the property

Now it’s time to put your property on the market and advertise it to potential buyers.

Firstly, you might want to ‘dress’ the property ready for photos and viewings. This includes cleaning and decluttering, and other touches to show off the property’s best features.

Your estate agent will play a central role in advertising the property, but you can also list it on popular local property sites such as:

• Immoscout24
• Newhome
• Flatfox
• Immobilier
• Homegate
• Comparis
• Rightmove (if you want to reach buyers from the UK).

5. Negotiate and accept an offer

Buyers can submit offers directly to you, but it could be easier if they go through your real estate agent. They can help you negotiate with buyers and agree on a final purchase price.

6. Appoint a notary (and a solicitor)

In Switzerland, the contracts and other documents for property sales are drawn up by a notary. This person will also witness signatures of all legally binding documents.

Depending which Swiss canton your property is located in, you’ll either have a public notary appointed by the local authority, or you’ll need to find your own.

You might also want to appoint your own solicitor to give you advice on your Swiss property sale, and to oversee any more complicated legal and administrative aspects of the sale.

The UK Government website has a list of English-speaking property solicitors here.

7. Sign the reservation contract

Once you’ve accepted an offer from a buyer, the notary will draw up a reservation contract for both parties to sign. This is legally binding, and also involves the transfer of a deposit. At some point after this, a completion date will be set.

8. Sign the sales contract

With the help of the notary or your solicitor, a sales contract will be drawn up and exchanged. Once both parties are happy with it, they’ll sign in the presence of a notary.

An important thing to note here is that the contract will usually be in the language of the Swiss canton your property is located in (i.e. French or German). If you’re not fluent in this language, you can have it translated at an extra cost or have your solicitor check it over.

The buyer will pay the remaining balance, you’ll arrange transfers to pay fees and taxes, and you’ll hand over the keys. The property will be registered by the notary in the new buyer’s name.

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Taxes and fees when selling property in Switzerland as a non-resident

Now, let’s take a look at the costs of selling property in Switzerland:

Estate agent fees

Estate agent commission fees in Switzerland vary between agents, but you can expect to pay 2% to 3% of the overall sale price.¹ This is likely to be one of the biggest costs you’ll face as a seller.

Legal/notary fees

Another significant cost to factor in is your solicitor’s fees, which can vary by canton and based on the value of the property, scope of services and the individual solicitor’s pricing model.

In addition, you’ll need to pay notary fees of around 1% ¹ - the notary is a mandatory part of the property sale/purchase process in Switzerland, so this fee can’t be avoided.

Sellers in Switzerland also have to pay deed registration fees of around 1% to 1.5% of the sale price. ¹

Energy Performance Certificate

If your property doesn’t have a CECB/GEAK certificate or it’s out of date , you’ll need to commission a new one. This costs anywhere between 500 and 2,000 CHF.³

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

When selling property in Switzerland, taxes are an important cost you need to budget for.

The main one sellers need to know about is capital gains tax (CGT), which may be due on the profit you make from the sale. By profit, we mean the difference between what you paid for the property and what you sell it for, minus any fees and expenses.

Switzerland’s real estate capital gains tax (RECGT) rules can be complicated, but here are the main points you need to know:⁴

• RECGT rates, thresholds and rules vary by canton - around 13 cantons don’t have property taxes at all
• For cantons which do have RECGT, the rate varies depending on how long you’ve owned the property before selling - with lower rates for longer ownership periods.
• Rules and rates are the same for both residents and non-residents
• You’re classed as a Swiss resident for tax purposes if you work or carry out business there for 30 consecutive days, live there for 90 consecutive days, or live there permanently.⁵

It’s important to check whether UK rules on capital gains tax apply when you sell property abroad. There’s also double taxation to consider, so you don’t end up paying tax in two countries at once.

Tax can be extraordinarily complex, so it’s best to get advice from a tax specialist to help you understand your obligations.

Property Transfer Tax

Another cost involved in Swiss property sales is property transfer tax. Like with capital gains tax, whether this tax is applied - along with the rates and other conditions - varies by canton. Rates range from 1% to 3.3%.⁴

In most cases, the tax is paid by the buyer. But in some cantons, it’s split between buyer and seller.

Even if you don’t end up paying it, it’s still useful as a seller to know the rates and thresholds as it will help you when pricing your property.

Does owning property in Switzerland make you a tax resident?

For anyone considering moving to Switzerland (or staying there if you’re a temporary resident), it’s useful to know about tax residency and how it relates to property ownership.

Buying a Swiss property doesn’t automatically make you a tax resident in Switzerland. But if you live in the property and it’s your main home, you will be considered a tax resident.

You might also fall into this category if you spend 30 days working in Switzerland, or 90 days otherwise - as long as the stay isn’t interrupted.⁵ This could mean that your property is deemed a ‘qualified abode’.

This part of the law can be complicated, so it’s a good idea to get professional advice if you’re concerned about your tax obligations in either Switzerland or the UK.

Do you need a lawyer or a solicitor to sell property?

It’s strongly recommended to appoint a solicitor specialising in real estate or conveyancing work in Switzerland.

They can help you get all your legal documents together ready for the sale, draw up, translate and check over contracts, give you advice about the selling process and so much more.

This could make your property sale go more smoothly and crucially, help you avoid a costly mistake.

It’s important to note that a solicitor is different to a notary, whose role is to handle paperwork and legal aspects of the sale rather than give legal advice.

In Switzerland, both professionals have an important role to play in the property sales process.

Can you use Power of Attorney (POA) to sell your property in Switzerland?

Yes, you can sell Swiss property when living abroad using a Power of Attorney (POA) - known as procuration in Switzerland.

You’ll need to complete the correct legal documentation and processes.This involves drawing up and signing a legally binding document, which is stamped by a notary or lawyer.

This document authorises a lawyer or other designated party to act on your behalf in all matters related to selling your property.

Selling inherited property in Switzerland

A common situation for foreign citizens and UK expats living abroad is needing to sell Swiss property they’ve inherited.

This is certainly possible, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are the key things you need to know:⁶

• Swiss inheritance tax is determined by canton, rather than national/federal rules. Rates vary considerably, but are generally lower the closer you’re related to the deceased person. Some cantons don’t charge any inheritance tax for direct relations.
• Property transfer tax will need to be paid when you receive the inheritance, while capital gains tax will be due when you sell the property - if the canton charges either/both of these taxes
• You can appoint a Swiss Power of Attorney (POA) to act on your behalf.

It’s recommended to use the services of a solicitor and/or a tax specialist to help you navigate the legal processes involved in inheriting and then selling property in Switzerland.

How long does it take to sell property in Switzerland?

Selling property in Switzerland takes around 6 months on average,⁷ but it can vary considerably based on individual circumstances - as well as factors beyond your control.

Common issues which can delay Swiss property sales include:

• Missing documents - such as energy performance certificates and building survey reports
• Foreign buyer restrictions - as non-resident buyers often need to get special licenses to purchase, and cantonal authority approval can take time
• Property defects - these can take time to remedy, or cause delays if hidden issues are discovered late
• Scheduling delays with notary appointments or land registry processes
• Unrealistic price expectations
• Complex inheritance disputes
• The buyer's mortgage application being rejected.

It may also depend on how fast properties are selling in the local market.

Do you need a Swiss bank account to sell property in Switzerland?

It’s not mandatory, but it could be extremely helpful to have a Swiss bank account in order to sell property in the country.

If you don’t already have one, it could be an idea to start taking a look at Swiss banks and see what accounts are on offer for non-residents.

If you have an international account or offshore account, you’ll need to speak to your solicitor to find out whether it can be used to send or receive money relating to the sale.

Another thing to note is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert Swiss francs (CHF) to British pounds, or vice versa.

Consider checking out the Wise account to handle your international transfers with mid-market exchange rates and transparent fees.

Is now a good time to sell your property in Switzerland?

Your circumstances will have a lot to do with whether or not it’s the right time to sell your property in Switzerland. For example, how much you originally paid for the property and what prices are currently like in the local property market.

But looking at the country’s property market in general, now could be a good time to sell.

Buyer demand remains high and prices have been rising - by 3.1% for flats and 2.4% for houses in 2025. Further growth is expected in 2026, so you may need to get your timing right to get the best price for your property.⁸

Key takeaways

• Sellers are legally required under the Swiss Code of Obligations to disclose all property defects to potential buyers, making a professional home assessment or survey a critical early step in the process.
• Obtaining a Cantonal Energy Certificate for Buildings (CECB/GEAK) is mandatory before a sale can proceed; new certificates typically cost between 500 and 2,000 CHF.
• Transaction costs for the seller include estate agent commissions (2% to 3%), notary fees (approx. 1%), and deed registration fees (1% to 1.5%), though some costs like property transfer tax (1% to 3.3%) vary by canton and may be split with the buyer.
• Capital Gains Tax (RECGT) rules and rates are set by individual cantons; 13 cantons charge no property tax, while others offer lower rates for longer ownership periods.
• The typical timeline for a sale is 6 months, with delays often caused by the need for non-resident buyers to obtain special licenses or the lengthy process of cantonal authority approval.
• While not mandatory, having a Swiss bank account is strongly recommended to manage the transfer of the final balance and the settlement of local fees in Swiss francs (CHF).

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Sources used:

1. Expatica - How to sell a house in Switzerland
2. Properti - Sell a house. Learn what it takes
3. Grundheim - Energy Efficiency & GEAK: What Buyers Need to Know
4. Moneyland.ch - Taxes for Homeowners in Switzerland Explained
5. PwC - Switzerland - Individual - Residence
6. Comparis.ch - You’ve inherited property – now what? Sell it or rent it out?
7. Comparis.ch - Property sales: selling a house or flat in Switzerland
8. SWI - Moderate growth expected for Swiss property market in 2026

Sources last checked on date: 26-Mar-2026