Selling an apartment in Switzerland is a cleaner, more formal process than in many countries — but it comes with real costs that too many sellers first see at the notary. Between the transfer tax, the capital-gains tax and the notary deed, the gap between your asking price and what actually lands in your account can be significant. This guide walks you through the process and, crucially, the money.
Short answer: Expect roughly 1–3 months from accepted offer to handover, a notary fee that the seller usually pays, a cantonal transfer tax, and property capital-gains tax on your profit (reduced the longer you have owned). Price from real comparables, and always get the net proceeds modelled before you commit.
In this guide
Price it right from comparables
A realistic asking price starts with comparable sales in the same building and neighbourhood, not with what you hope to get. View, floor, condition and amenities all adjust the figure. On the Riviera, overpricing is the most common mistake: it quietly kills interest, extends the time on market and often ends in a lower final price anyway.
List & market the property
A well-presented listing — professional photos, an honest description, the floor plan and the strata papers — reaches the right buyers faster. Off-market and pre-market interest from a local network matters a lot in a tight market like Montreux–Vevey–Lavaux.
Receive, compare & accept offers
Serious buyers present a written offer through the agency, often with a pre-approval from their bank and, for non-residents, attention to their LFAIE eligibility. You compare offers on price, conditions and certainty — a slightly lower offer with financing firmly in place is often the better sale.
The notarial deed
The sale is finalised before a notary, who drafts the deed, checks the land register and triggers the transfer. The seller usually pays the notary fee. Expect the deed, any mortgage release, and the handover to be coordinated around one signing date.
Transfer tax & capital-gains tax
| Cost | Who pays | Typical scale |
|---|---|---|
| Notary fee | Seller (usually) | ~0.5–1% |
| Cantonal transfer tax (tax on mutation) | Buyer in most cantons | ~1–2% |
| Land-register entry | Buyer | ~0.1–0.5% |
| Property capital-gains tax | Seller, on the gain | Varies; reduces with ownership length |
The figures differ by canton, but the two items that affect you as the seller are the notary fee and, on your profit, the property capital-gains tax. Ownership period matters: the tax scales down the longer you have held the property, which is why holding periods are a big factor in a sale decision.
What you actually receive
Remember
Your net proceeds = price − notary fee − capital-gains tax − any mortgage outstanding. Model this before you sign anything, so the decision to sell rests on what you genuinely walk away with, not the sticker price.
If you are selling to reinvest, many owners use the proceeds to buy a replacement or to fund a rental portfolio — which is where the sale and our management side meet.
Want an honest read on what your property is worth — net?
We can value your Riviera property, model the net proceeds and guide the whole sale from a trusted local position.
Talk to Riviera Host ImmobilierFrequently asked questions
What taxes do I pay when selling a property in Switzerland?
Sellers generally pay a cantonal transfer tax (tax on mutation) and, on any gain, property capital-gains tax. Rates and rules vary by canton and by how long you have owned the property — longer ownership often reduces the effective gain tax.
Who pays the notary when selling a property in Switzerland?
Customarily the seller pays the notary fee. The buyer covers land-register entry and, in most cantons, the transfer tax. The exact split can be negotiated and varies by canton.
How long does it take to sell a property in Switzerland?
From accepting an offer to handing over the keys usually takes about 1 to 3 months, depending on financing and the notary's availability. Finding the right buyer can, of course, take longer.
How do I price my apartment for sale on the Riviera?
A reliable starting price comes from a market valuation based on recent comparable sales in the same building and neighbourhood, adjusted for view, condition and floor. Overpricing usually costs more in time than it gains in price.
Related reading: How to buy property in Switzerland · Property taxes & ownership costs in Switzerland · Financing a purchase in Switzerland
Founder of Riviera Host & Riviera Host Immobilier. 8+ years managing short-term rentals on the Swiss Riviera; registered for real-estate brokerage and property management.