Tax non-resident · Switzerland · CHF

Financing property in Germany while living in Switzerland

Resident in Switzerland, income in CHF — and still a mortgage in Germany? It’s possible. No conversion right, but special requirements on equity, proof of income and choice of bank.

Market reference values

Market reference values, Germany

2.00 % ECB key rate

3.5–3.9 % 10-yr mortgage rate (effective)

€100,000 KfW home ownership (124)

€150,000 KfW climate-friendly new build (297/298)

Market reference values for Germany, as of 06/2026 — not offers; terms depend on creditworthiness and the property. KfW funding modules depend on the project and on owner-occupation, with eligibility assessed case by case. Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank (MFI interest-rate statistics), KfW, Dr. Klein.

Key figures

Swiss residence at a glance

✓ No Conversion right (CH not EU)

30–40 % Equity + incidental costs

CHF Income at specialist banks

15–25 % Of all banks active here

Why a Swiss residence is its own category

Switzerland is not an EU member. That means the conversion right (§503 BGB), which applies to non-euro EU countries, does not apply here. That is an important advantage — the choice of banks is somewhat wider than for tax non-residents from Sweden or Denmark.

At the same time, Switzerland is a challenge of its own: income in CHF is assessed by many banks with discounts, because the foreign-currency risk remains. Banks that accept a Swiss residence typically calculate with a 20–25 % safety discount on the CHF income converted into euros.

Pension-fund money is an important equity element in the Swiss constellation. Swiss banks confirm the entitlement; German banks assess it differently. I know the banks that accept it.

Terms

What's realistic

Loan-to-value: 60–70 %; with very good creditworthiness, 80 % too
Equity: 30–40 % + incidental costs (notary, land register, property transfer tax)
Fixed-interest period: 5, 10, 15 or 20 years — the same as for a German residence
Interest rate: close to standard terms; some banks calculate a +0.1–0.3 % surcharge
Mortgaged property: the property is in Germany — valued at the German market value
Notary appointment: in person in Germany or a power of attorney certified by a Swiss notary