Selling property in the Canton of Zurich
Selling in the Canton of Zurich: tax, price and buyers work differently here.
High demand, a progressive tax rate that rewards long ownership, and buyers who compare closely. What that means for your sale – municipality by municipality.
As of October 2026 · tax law of the Canton of Zurich · the exact calculation for your property comes with the free net calculation.
What most people overlook: after the twentieth full year, waiting brings no further reduction. Something that can still lower the tax may already be lying in a drawer.
Tax when you sell
Selling a house in the Canton of Zurich: how much tax do I pay?
In the Canton of Zurich, property gains tax depends on your gain and your years of ownership. Your gain is the sale price minus investment costs (Anlagekosten). These are the purchase price plus improvements that made your home worth more. The rate rises with the gain, up to 40 per cent.
After five full years the tax drops; after twenty, it halves (§ 225 Zurich Tax Act, as of October 2026). For example, a CHF 200,000 gain after 25 years costs CHF 34,700 in tax, not 69,400. After 20 full years, it would be the same. For an inherited family home, the clock starts with your parents' purchase.
What this means for you: if you bought at least twenty full years ago, the full reduction is yours. Then your mortgage, next home and plans decide the timing. Papers in the drawer lower the gain: the old purchase contract, invoices for an extension or alterations. Both amounts go into the Zurich property gains tax calculator.
One figure is still missing: what your house would fetch today. The net calculation shows in writing what you keep after property gains tax, mortgage repayment and selling costs – before you sign anything.
New home
Can I sell my house in the Canton of Zurich tax-free?
A gain under CHF 5,000 is free of property gains tax in the Canton of Zurich (§ 225(5) Zurich Tax Act). For a home you live in, a replacement purchase (Ersatzbeschaffung) defers the tax. The proceeds must buy your next home in Switzerland, as a rule within two years. The tax is then deferred, not waived.
Full deferral requires a new home costing at least your sale price. If it costs less, the difference is taxed immediately. In an example from the Finance Directorate (Finanzdirektion), CHF 180,000 of a 500,000 gain is taxed; 320,000 stays deferred. A new home costing no more than your investment costs defers nothing (circular on § 216 Zurich Tax Act, as of October 2026).
What this means for you: know what your new home costs before you sell. If it costs less, we also run the numbers on staying. Apply for the deferral before the tax assessment becomes final. The home check for owners helps with «Where would I go?»
Price atlas · all 160 municipalities
What do houses and flats cost in your municipality?
Across the canton, a freely sold house cost a median CHF 1,590,000 in 2025 and a flat CHF 1,200,000. That is +47.2% and +37.1% compared with 2015. By municipality, the figures are far apart.
Where flats cost most in 2025
- Küsnacht CHF 3.00m 53 sales
- Kilchberg CHF 2.92m 31 sales
- Herrliberg CHF 2.80m 47 sales
- Erlenbach CHF 2.69m 32 sales
- Rüschlikon CHF 2.66m 36 sales
Where houses cost most in 2025
- Küsnacht CHF 6.21m 24 sales
- Erlenbach CHF 4.58m 16 sales
- Herrliberg CHF 4.30m 23 sales
- Zollikon CHF 3.19m 17 sales
- Meilen CHF 2.96m 20 sales
Where flat prices rose most since 2015
- Maur +91.6% 52 sales
- Bassersdorf +78.8% 36 sales
- Illnau-Effretikon +60.4% 122 sales
- Küsnacht +59.9% 53 sales
- Wallisellen +54.9% 45 sales
Flats were cheapest in 2025 in Rüti, at a median CHF 660,000. The rise is ranked only for municipalities with at least 30 flat sales in both years. With few sales, a median swings a lot.
| Municipality | Flat 2025 | House 2025 | Flat since 2015 | Land per m² | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adliswil Zimmerberg | 1,450,00065 | – (8) | +31.2% | 2,338 | 199% |
| Aesch Limmattal | – (9) | – (2) | – | 1,895 | 186% |
| Aeugst am Albis Knonaueramt | – (8) | – (7) | – | 1,577 | 187% |
| Affoltern am Albis Knonaueramt | 1,129,50082 | 1,775,00022 | +37.7% | 1,978 | 217% |
| Altikon Winterthur area | – (1) | – (4) | – | 501 | 209% |
| Andelfingen Weinland | – (10) | 1,408,00018 | – | 978 | 214% |
| Bachenbülach Zurich Unterland | 1,260,00064 | – (6) | – | 1,711 | 201% |
| Bachs Zurich Unterland | – (1) | – (0) | – | 829 | 223% |
| Bäretswil Zurich Oberland | – (13) | – (9) | – | 1,491 | 199% |
| Bassersdorf Glattal | 1,327,50036 | 1,560,00017 | +78.8% | 1,988 | 209% |
| Bauma Zurich Oberland | – (13) | 1,150,00015 | – | 471 | 215% |
| Benken Weinland | – (2) | – (2) | – | 1,031 | 205% |
| Berg am Irchel Weinland | – (1) | – (5) | – | 463 | 193% |
| Birmensdorf Limmattal | 1,175,00028 | – (13) | +65.5% | 2,039 | 207% |
| Bonstetten Knonaueramt | – (11) | 1,250,00016 | – | 2,335 | 201% |
| Boppelsen Furttal | – (4) | – (4) | – | 1,636 | 189% |
| Brütten Winterthur area | – (13) | – (3) | – | 2,321 | 180% |
| Bubikon Zurich Oberland | 975,00033 | – (10) | +28.3% | 1,451 | 213% |
| Buch am Irchel Weinland | – (0) | – (2) | – | 555 | 201% |
| Buchs Furttal | 900,00021 | – (5) | +6.5% | 1,601 | 200% |
| Bülach Zurich Unterland | 1,100,00071 | 1,385,00018 | +22.8% | 2,536 | 209% |
| Dachsen Weinland | 957,50026 | – (10) | – | 906 | 206% |
| Dägerlen Winterthur area | 980,00026 | – (12) | – | 688 | 201% |
| Dällikon Furttal | – (4) | – (5) | – | 1,787 | 202% |
| Dänikon Furttal | – (1) | – (6) | – | 1,596 | 215% |
| Dättlikon Winterthur area | – (0) | – (6) | – | 1,210 | 207% |
| Dielsdorf Zurich Unterland | 1,030,00021 | – (9) | – | 1,809 | 200% |
| Dietikon Limmattal | 1,010,00051 | 1,350,00023 | +20.6% | 1,926 | 216% |
| Dietlikon Glattal | 1,165,00025 | – (8) | +8.8% | 2,417 | 200% |
| Dinhard Winterthur area | – (2) | – (7) | – | 1,053 | 185% |
| Dorf Weinland | – (3) | – (11) | – | 729 | 194% |
| Dübendorf Glattal | 935,500130 | 1,875,00028 | −2% | 3,092 | 187% |
| Dürnten Zurich Oberland | 1,077,50042 | 1,190,00023 | +48% | 989 | 208% |
| Egg Pfannenstiel | 1,200,00037 | 1,790,00027 | +40.8% | 2,196 | 196% |
| Eglisau Zurich Unterland | 1,127,50030 | – (9) | +105.4% | 944 | 208% |
| Elgg Winterthur area | 787,50060 | – (12) | +15.3% | 1,055 | 214% |
| Ellikon an der Thur Winterthur area | – (1) | – (1) | – | 640 | 212% |
| Elsau Winterthur area | – (10) | – (12) | – | 1,109 | 212% |
| Embrach Zurich Unterland | 927,50040 | 1,583,65018 | +49.8% | 1,415 | 207% |
| Erlenbach Pfannenstiel | 2,685,00032 | 4,575,00016 | +84.2% | 4,446 | 171% |
| Fällanden Glattal | 1,100,00036 | – (10) | +4.8% | 1,765 | 194% |
| Fehraltorf Zurich Oberland | 882,00039 | – (3) | +22% | 1,995 | 206% |
| Feuerthalen Weinland | – (9) | – (12) | – | 998 | 209% |
| Fischenthal Zurich Oberland | – (3) | – (12) | – | 517 | 217% |
| Flaach Weinland | 900,00018 | – (7) | – | 435 | 202% |
| Flurlingen Weinland | – (7) | – (6) | – | 1,334 | 206% |
| Freienstein-Teufen Zurich Unterland | – (8) | – (9) | – | 1,007 | 194% |
| Geroldswil Limmattal | 1,905,00016 | 1,500,00017 | – | 2,260 | 207% |
| Glattfelden Zurich Unterland | 920,00038 | – (9) | +50.8% | 1,076 | 215% |
| Gossau Zurich Oberland | 1,125,00034 | 1,300,00023 | +52% | 1,491 | 212% |
| Greifensee Glattal | – (14) | – (3) | – | 2,111 | 196% |
| Grüningen Zurich Oberland | – (7) | – (7) | – | 1,372 | 211% |
| Hagenbuch Winterthur area | – (4) | – (2) | – | 687 | 216% |
| Hausen am Albis Knonaueramt | – (6) | – (10) | – | 1,854 | 207% |
| Hedingen Knonaueramt | – (7) | 1,875,00015 | – | 2,036 | 195% |
| Henggart Weinland | – (6) | – (5) | – | 1,472 | 206% |
| Herrliberg Pfannenstiel | 2,800,00047 | 4,300,00023 | +45.8% | 5,582 | 168% |
| Hettlingen Winterthur area | – (10) | 1,732,50016 | – | 1,782 | 192% |
| Hinwil Zurich Oberland | 870,00053 | 1,370,00034 | +22.5% | 1,264 | 211% |
| Hittnau Zurich Oberland | – (10) | – (9) | – | 1,191 | 208% |
| Hochfelden Zurich Unterland | – (7) | – (7) | – | 1,350 | 211% |
| Hombrechtikon Pfannenstiel | 1,100,00026 | 1,450,00024 | +43.1% | 1,139 | 208% |
| Horgen Zimmerberg | 1,535,00075 | 2,450,00043 | +18.1% | 1,957 | 185% |
| Höri Zurich Unterland | – (14) | – (14) | – | 1,049 | 205% |
| Hüntwangen Zurich Unterland | – (4) | – (4) | – | 944 | 203% |
| Hüttikon Furttal | – (0) | – (4) | – | 767 | 208% |
| Illnau-Effretikon Winterthur area | 1,122,500122 | 1,355,00029 | +60.4% | 1,657 | 208% |
| Kappel am Albis Knonaueramt | – (1) | – (4) | – | 1,582 | 197% |
| Kilchberg Zimmerberg | 2,920,00031 | – (10) | +43.3% | 5,077 | 167% |
| Kleinandelfingen Weinland | – (6) | – (9) | – | 504 | 213% |
| Kloten Glattal | 1,150,00035 | – (12) | +53.3% | 2,043 | 195% |
| Knonau Knonaueramt | – (7) | – (6) | – | 1,550 | 211% |
| Küsnacht Pfannenstiel | 2,998,00053 | 6,205,00024 | +59.9% | 4,522 | 168% |
| Langnau am Albis Zimmerberg | 1,240,00015 | 1,825,00018 | – | 2,201 | 201% |
| Laufen-Uhwiesen Weinland | – (14) | – (10) | – | 968 | 199% |
| Lindau Winterthur area | 900,00015 | 1,500,00024 | +23.3% | 1,265 | 201% |
| Lufingen Zurich Unterland | – (9) | – (14) | – | 957 | 192% |
| Männedorf Pfannenstiel | 1,980,00061 | 2,200,00021 | +43.5% | 3,189 | 182% |
| Marthalen Weinland | – (1) | – (2) | – | 749 | 202% |
| Maschwanden Knonaueramt | – (3) | – (2) | – | 850 | 223% |
| Maur Glattal | 1,456,50052 | 2,415,00037 | +91.6% | 2,140 | 176% |
| Meilen Pfannenstiel | 2,400,00051 | 2,955,00520 | +34.8% | 2,998 | 174% |
| Mettmenstetten Knonaueramt | 1,050,00025 | – (13) | +14.8% | 1,834 | 193% |
| Mönchaltorf Zurich Oberland | 1,260,00032 | 1,776,00042 | – | 1,318 | 203% |
| Neerach Zurich Unterland | – (5) | – (8) | – | 1,709 | 172% |
| Neftenbach Winterthur area | 905,00027 | – (9) | – | 1,445 | 193% |
| Niederglatt Zurich Unterland | – (7) | – (8) | – | 1,928 | 201% |
| Niederhasli Zurich Unterland | 785,00018 | 1,305,00036 | +30.8% | 1,889 | 207% |
| Niederweningen Zurich Unterland | – (12) | – (9) | – | 1,510 | 195% |
| Nürensdorf Glattal | 1,095,00021 | 1,637,50016 | +40.4% | 2,369 | 185% |
| Oberembrach Zurich Unterland | – (2) | – (5) | – | 1,253 | 212% |
| Oberengstringen Limmattal | 1,265,00036 | – (6) | +74.5% | 2,379 | 204% |
| Oberglatt Zurich Unterland | – (10) | – (4) | – | 989 | 214% |
| Oberrieden Zimmerberg | 1,765,00018 | – (6) | +33.7% | 3,293 | 179% |
| Oberweningen Zurich Unterland | – (6) | – (11) | – | 1,431 | 189% |
| Obfelden Knonaueramt | 1,249,00023 | 1,625,00016 | +59.7% | 1,456 | 213% |
| Oetwil an der Limmat Limmattal | 1,410,00016 | – (8) | – | 1,668 | 202% |
| Oetwil am See Pfannenstiel | – (4) | – (11) | – | 1,266 | 209% |
| Opfikon Glattal | 1,365,00024 | – (12) | +60.6% | 3,614 | 189% |
| Ossingen Weinland | – (8) | – (9) | – | 696 | 208% |
| Otelfingen Furttal | – (4) | – (6) | – | 957 | 203% |
| Ottenbach Knonaueramt | – (3) | – (13) | – | 1,367 | 210% |
| Pfäffikon Zurich Oberland | 1,074,00043 | 1,612,50020 | +42.3% | 2,270 | 205% |
| Pfungen Winterthur area | – (11) | – (9) | – | 1,058 | 207% |
| Rafz Zurich Unterland | 1,018,50028 | – (9) | +61.7% | 1,008 | 208% |
| Regensberg Zurich Unterland | – (0) | – (1) | – | 991 | 210% |
| Regensdorf Furttal | 850,00035 | 1,440,00022 | +19.7% | 2,439 | 212% |
| Rheinau Weinland | – (0) | – (5) | – | 568 | 207% |
| Richterswil Zimmerberg | 1,065,00039 | 2,000,00033 | −5.3% | 2,028 | 194% |
| Rickenbach Winterthur area | – (11) | – (10) | – | 901 | 207% |
| Rifferswil Knonaueramt | – (9) | – (8) | – | 1,253 | 215% |
| Rorbas Zurich Unterland | – (13) | – (6) | – | 693 | 198% |
| Rümlang Glattal | – (14) | – (12) | – | 1,866 | 208% |
| Rüschlikon Zimmerberg | 2,662,50036 | – (14) | +81.4% | 6,690 | 170% |
| Russikon Zurich Oberland | 1,075,50026 | 1,430,00021 | – | 1,145 | 208% |
| Rüti Zurich Oberland | 660,00035 | 1,313,00035 | −9% | 1,197 | 214% |
| Schlatt Winterthur area | – (0) | – (7) | – | 560 | 218% |
| Schleinikon Zurich Unterland | – (2) | – (4) | – | 916 | 201% |
| Schlieren Limmattal | 1,185,00035 | – (12) | +74.3% | 2,929 | 206% |
| Schöfflisdorf Zurich Unterland | – (5) | – (4) | – | 1,634 | 189% |
| Schwerzenbach Glattal | – (14) | – (4) | – | 1,950 | 198% |
| Seegräben Zurich Oberland | – (5) | – (4) | – | 1,708 | 206% |
| Seuzach Winterthur area | 1,265,00049 | 1,680,00024 | +70.4% | 2,031 | 195% |
| Stadel Zurich Unterland | – (5) | – (9) | – | 979 | 206% |
| Stäfa Pfannenstiel | 1,780,00048 | 1,960,00022 | +45.9% | 2,991 | 178% |
| Stallikon Knonaueramt | – (13) | 1,500,00015 | – | 864 | 196% |
| Stammheim Weinland | – (7) | – (10) | – | 642 | 207% |
| Steinmaur Zurich Unterland | 930,00015 | – (10) | – | 1,274 | 203% |
| Thalheim an der Thur Weinland | – (1) | – (10) | – | 519 | 212% |
| Thalwil Zimmerberg | 1,985,00069 | 2,480,00025 | +44.9% | 3,259 | 173% |
| Trüllikon Weinland | – (10) | – (6) | – | 570 | 205% |
| Truttikon Weinland | – (0) | – (2) | – | 491 | 202% |
| Turbenthal Winterthur area | 758,50020 | – (10) | +33.3% | 853 | 217% |
| Uetikon am See Pfannenstiel | 1,785,00034 | – (10) | +56.4% | 4,114 | 179% |
| Uitikon Limmattal | 1,750,00055 | – (13) | +7% | 4,115 | 173% |
| Unterengstringen Limmattal | 1,450,00021 | – (7) | +68.6% | 3,153 | 197% |
| Urdorf Limmattal | – (14) | – (8) | – | 3,038 | 210% |
| Uster Zurich Oberland | 1,100,000123 | 1,630,00047 | +20.2% | 2,203 | 207% |
| Volken Weinland | – (0) | – (2) | – | 600 | 206% |
| Volketswil Glattal | 1,020,00076 | 1,500,00035 | +37.8% | 2,131 | 196% |
| Wädenswil Zimmerberg | 1,368,64093 | 2,195,00028 | +25.9% | 1,558 | 197% |
| Wald Zurich Oberland | 955,00033 | 1,100,00021 | +42.5% | 753 | 217% |
| Wallisellen Glattal | 1,425,00045 | 1,750,00019 | +54.9% | 3,373 | 188% |
| Wangen-Brüttisellen Glattal | 1,195,00020 | – (13) | +75.7% | 1,587 | 196% |
| Wasterkingen Zurich Unterland | – (1) | – (4) | – | 552 | 211% |
| Weiach Zurich Unterland | – (3) | – (1) | – | 798 | 191% |
| Weiningen Limmattal | 1,150,00035 | 1,550,00017 | +29.2% | 2,071 | 202% |
| Weisslingen Winterthur area | – (6) | – (13) | – | 904 | 211% |
| Wettswil am Albis Knonaueramt | 1,320,00019 | 2,125,00022 | +18.9% | 3,452 | 184% |
| Wetzikon Zurich Oberland | 990,00065 | 1,145,00035 | +32.9% | 2,580 | 214% |
| Wiesendangen Winterthur area | 927,00021 | 1,325,00028 | −10% | 1,646 | 181% |
| Wil Zurich Unterland | – (11) | – (2) | – | 943 | 192% |
| Wila Zurich Oberland | – (11) | – (12) | – | 636 | 217% |
| Wildberg Zurich Oberland | – (1) | – (3) | – | 656 | 219% |
| Winkel Zurich Unterland | 1,290,00031 | – (11) | +52.3% | 2,968 | 171% |
| Winterthur Winterthur area | 1,050,000245 | 1,422,000124 | +40.9% | 2,349 | 220% |
| Zell Winterthur area | 770,00025 | – (13) | +43.9% | 524 | 210% |
| Zollikon Pfannenstiel | 2,510,00064 | 3,185,00017 | +32.5% | 5,133 | 171% |
| Zumikon Pfannenstiel | 1,596,50036 | – (14) | +5.7% | 4,758 | 166% |
| City of Zurich City of Zurich | 1,745,000690 | 2,880,00099 | +47.3% | 7,836 | 214% |
No municipality found. Some names are abbreviated in the statistics, e.g. «Affoltern a.A.».
How to read the table: CHF, median of the objects freely sold in 2025. The small number is the number of sales. The canton publishes a median only from 15 sales; otherwise «–» with the number of sales. Grey: fewer than 30 sales in one of the years. Land: the canton's model price per m². Tax rate 2026 including the canton, excluding church tax. 81 municipalities have a flat median, 52 a house median.
A median is never the price of your house. It shows the middle of the objects sold in a year; location, size and condition move the value a lot. Sources: Statistical Office of the Canton of Zurich (median prices of free-market sales, data as of 2025/Q4, 2023 to 2025 provisional; building land model), tax rates 2026, population 2025.
How to cite: Immosmile (2026): Price atlas Canton of Zurich – house and flat prices 2025 in all 160 municipalities. Analysis of official data from the Statistical Office of the Canton of Zurich. https://immosmile.ch/en/region/zurich#preisatlas, as of 23 October 2026.
What is different here
What you should know about selling in the Canton of Zurich.
Progressive, with a reward for patience
The Canton of Zurich taxes the gain at 10 to 40 %, but grants a reduction of up to 50 % from the fifth year of ownership. No transfer tax. The tax goes to the municipality – which is why it checks carefully.
Little supply, strong demand
Detached houses are scarce in the Canton of Zurich – priced right, they sell quickly. Overpriced properties sit for months and are deliberately avoided by buyers.
Informed and selective
Zurich buyers have access to every portal, price database and adviser. Selling here works through traceable documents and a realistic asking price – not through negotiating reserves.
Municipalities
Between Lake Zurich and the Weinland lie worlds apart – in price too.
We look at each municipality individually: tax rate, market situation, and who is buying there right now. We are happy to talk about your property in person.
All 160 municipalities with prices, land and tax rate: go to the price atlas
Getting there
From the office at Bahnhofplatz Zurich
By train from Zurich HB, fastest connection on a weekday from 9 am (SBB timetable 2026, checked on 30 September 2026).
- Zurich HB → Uster 14 min · direct
- Zurich HB → Bülach 17 min · direct
- Zurich HB → Winterthur 20 min · direct
- Zurich HB → Dielsdorf 23 min · direct
Estate agent in the Canton of Zurich
Selling in the Canton of Zurich with Immosmile: four phases, one contact person
I support sales throughout the Canton of Zurich, from the city to the Weinland. Through all four phases you have one contact person: me, Dominik Devaja, managing director of Immosmile. You pay nothing beforehand. Our fee falls due only when you sign the contract at the notary (Beurkundung).
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Clarity
Independent valuation, net calculation after taxes and costs, a look at what comes after. You decide on figures, not on hearsay.
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Preview
Before anyone sees your house, film, photography and exposé are produced. Then we show it to vetted buyers first – not yet on the portals.
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Market decision
You receive the demand report and every offer immediately. Then you choose the path to the best price: accept, bidding round – or the broad public phase on the portals, the normal case.
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Completion & move
Notary appointment, key handover, documents for what comes after – and, if you wish, guidance into your next home. Our fee only falls due now, with the notarised deed.
The full process in detail What is your property in the Canton of Zurich worth?
Questions from the Canton of Zurich
What owners here want to know.
Which Zurich municipality has the most expensive houses?
Küsnacht. A freely sold house there cost a median CHF 6,205,000 in 2025, from 24 sales. Erlenbach follows with CHF 4,575,000 and Herrliberg with CHF 4,300,000. Across the canton the median was CHF 1,590,000. The price atlas on this page shows every municipality.
Where are flats cheapest in the Canton of Zurich?
Among municipalities with an official median, in Rüti: CHF 660,000 for a flat in 2025. The most expensive were Küsnacht at CHF 2,998,000 and Kilchberg at CHF 2,920,000. Many small municipalities have fewer than 15 sales and therefore no official median.
How much have property prices in the Canton of Zurich risen since 2015?
By a median 47.2 per cent for houses and 37.1 per cent for flats, from 2015 to 2025. Among municipalities with at least 30 flat sales in both years, Maur rose most, by 91.6 per cent, ahead of Bassersdorf at 78.8 per cent.
Which Zurich municipality has the lowest tax rate?
Zumikon, at 166 per cent in 2026, ahead of Kilchberg at 167 per cent, each including the canton and excluding church tax. The rate applies to income and wealth. Property gains tax on a sale is separate: its rates are the same in every Zurich municipality.
Is there a transfer tax in the Canton of Zurich?
No, the Canton of Zurich has not levied a transfer tax (Handänderungssteuer) since 1 January 2005. A notarisation fee and a land registry fee of 1 per mille of the market value each apply, at least CHF 100 each. By law, buyer and seller owe them in equal halves unless the purchase contract says otherwise (§ 29 Notaries Act, Notarial Fees Ordinance).
How is the property gains tax calculated in Zurich?
Progressively on the gain: 10 % on the first CHF 4,000, rising to 40 % on the part above CHF 100,000. From five full years of ownership there is a 5 % reduction, then 3 % per further year – up to a maximum of 50 % after twenty years.
Which municipalities do you mainly work in?
Across the whole Canton of Zurich – with home advantage in the Unterland and Furttal, where we come from. Whether we are the right choice for your property is something we clarify openly in the first conversation.
Is now a good time to sell?
That depends less on the market than on your holding period, your mortgage and your next step. That is exactly what we calculate in the free valuation – and the answer may well be «not yet».
I bought more than twenty years ago: does the old purchase price always count?
No. If you bought over twenty years ago, the market value (Verkehrswert) from twenty years back may replace the purchase price (§ 220(2) Zurich Tax Act). That is what a buyer would realistically have paid then. It is your choice, not an obligation: only a calculation with your figures shows which way means less tax.
Do I have to report a house sale in the Canton of Zurich to the tax office?
Yes. Within 30 days of the change of ownership (Handänderung), the seller files a property gains tax return (§§ 217 and 226 Zurich Tax Act). It goes to the municipal tax office (Gemeindesteueramt) where the property is; the deadline can be extended. The tax is due on day 90 after the change; interest runs from day 91 (§ 71 Zurich Tax Ordinance).
What does buying cost in the Canton of Zurich?
No transfer tax (abolished on 1 January 2005). Land registry and notarisation fees come on top. For a purchase price of CHF 1 million, the buyer pays CHF 1,041 to 2,081, depending on the purchase contract and excluding mortgage notes (as of October 2026).
All eight cantons and a calculator: purchase costs by canton.
Sources
- Property gains tax – Cantonal Tax Office Zurich (German)
- Tax law of the Canton of Zurich (LS 631.1), §§ 216–226 (German)
- Purchase contract and land register – Notary offices of the Canton of Zurich (German)
- Notaries Act of the Canton of Zurich (LS 242), § 29 (German)
- Notarial Fees Ordinance of the Canton of Zurich (LS 243) (German)
General information, not tax advice. You receive the exact calculation for your property in the free valuation.
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