A guide to getting a mortgage in Switzerland, from cantonal banks and insurers to independent advisors, online platforms, and comparison portals. See who offers what before you start requesting quotes.

Swiss mortgages, organized by provider

Hypothekguide is a guide through the Swiss mortgage market, organized by the type of provider. Cantonal banks, big banks, and regional banks sit here alongside insurers, pure online lenders, pension funds, and comparison portals. We explain in plain terms what each type of provider stands for, how it works, and who it suits. That gives you an overview before you start requesting quotes, instead of fighting your way through dozens of individual offers. On a mortgage of several hundred thousand francs over ten or fifteen years, even a tenth of a percentage point in interest adds up to a four-figure sum. That is exactly why it pays to look around broadly instead of signing the first offer that comes along.

How to compare mortgages

Get several quotes, at least three, and ideally from different camps: a bank, an insurer, and a comparison portal often deliver noticeably different numbers. Don't look only at the interest rate. A slightly higher rate with generous terms can end up cheaper than a teaser rate that comes with an expensive amortization schedule or a rigid commitment period. Compare a fixed-rate mortgage and a SARON mortgage soberly: the fixed-rate mortgage gives you a known rate for the whole term, and with it planning certainty, while the SARON mortgage tracks the money market rate, so it can start lower but also rise. With a fixed rate you also choose the term, typically two to ten years, sometimes longer. A longer commitment usually costs a bit more but protects you for longer against rising rates. And yes, negotiating is possible. The advertised rate is rarely the last word, especially if you can put a competing quote on the table.

Affordability and equity

Two rules of thumb shape Swiss practice. First, equity: as a rule, providers finance at most 80 percent of the property's value, so you bring in at least 20 percent yourself, and at least 10 percent of that must come from your own funds, not from your pension fund. Second, affordability: your ongoing costs, meaning notional interest, amortization, and upkeep, should not exceed roughly a third of your gross income. This is calculated not with the current interest rate but with a higher notional rate, so the financing still holds up if interest rates rise. Work through both figures for yourself before you start viewing properties. It saves you disappointment and shows you early on what range you are working with.

Suggest a listing

Know a provider that belongs here, or missing one? You can submit it through the Suggest a listing page. Every suggestion is checked by hand before it appears.

Note

We do not grant mortgages and are not affiliated with any of the providers listed. We collect and describe them so you can get your bearings more easily. The content here is orientation, not financial, investment, or credit advice. Interest rates, terms, and availability change constantly, so always check current conditions directly with the provider in question before you decide.