Living in Switzerland: German banks that finance property in Germany for Swiss residents
The largest sub-market among residence countries: CHF income and pension-fund assets as equity. Income in francs is credited with a safety discount of 10–25 % (50 % at 100 % financing) rather than in full.
Which banks finance tax non-residents living in Switzerland?
Tax non-residents living in Switzerland can draw on 6 to 10 of the 650+ banks in reach. Income in francs is credited with a safety discount of 10–25 % (50 % at 100 % financing), and the loan-to-value runs at 60 to 100 %. Pension fund capital can serve as equity only for an owner-occupied main residence, not for investment property or second homes.
How many banks finance a mortgage in Germany from Switzerland?
Of the 650+ banks in reach, tax non-residents generally have a circle of 6 to 10 institutions with international experience, and it is the largest sub-market among residence countries.
Which banks finance a mortgage in Germany from Switzerland? Of the 650+ banks in reach, tax non-residents generally have a circle of 6 to 10 institutions with international experience. It is the largest sub-market among residence countries, with CHF income and pension-fund assets usable as equity. Which German banks finance non-residents?.
CHF income: which lenders accept it, and which do not?
Some lenders accept CHF income, others do not. Income is typically paid in CHF.
Some lenders do not accept foreign-currency income — others do. Foreign-currency income and the banks that accept it.
What else is important when choosing a bank?
Other factors include the loan-to-value ratio (60–100 %), the equity contribution (up to 40 %) and the fixed-rate period (5, 10, 15 or 20 years).
Loan-to-value ratio: 60–100 %, depending on the type of income and credit rating. Equity: up to 40 % depending on the case, plus purchase costs (notary, land registry, land transfer tax). Fixed-rate period: 5, 10, 15 or 20 years — as for residents in Germany.
How large is the Swiss sub-market among the countries of residence?
Switzerland is the largest sub-market among the countries of residence.
We broker independently (Olga Nikushkina, § 34i GewO) and approach the right banks for your case in a targeted way — free of charge, as the commission is usually paid by the bank; the lever is the right bank, not the sheer number of banks. Which banks finance non-residents for tax purposes?.
Is KfW funding available to people resident in Switzerland?
KfW funding is usually not available for pure capital investments from abroad.
Anyone returning to owner-occupation can make use of standard KfW schemes. Whether a particular scheme is suitable in an individual case depends on the project and the owner-occupation arrangements.
Which fixed-rate periods and which procedure apply?
Fixed-rate periods of 5, 10, 15 or 20 years are possible, as with residence in Germany. The notary appointment for the purchase contract is usually planned in person in Germany. A certified power of attorney is also possible by arrangement with the notary and the bank, especially if travelling is burdensome. The process step by step.
What matters are the currency of your income and the source of your equity: income in francs is counted with a safety discount of 10–25 % (50 % for 100 % financing), the loan-to-value is between 60 and 100 %, and pension fund money can only be used as equity if the property is owner-occupied as your main residence.
Income typically arrives in CHF. Details on the whole situation (loan-to-value, documents, foreign-currency discount) are on Residence in Switzerland — all topics.
Frequently asked questions
Which banks finance tax non-residents living in Switzerland?
Of the 650+ banks in reach, tax non-residents generally have a circle of 6 to 10 institutions with international experience. The largest sub-market among residence countries: CHF income and pension-fund assets as equity.
What currency is my income paid in?
Typically CHF. Banks convert foreign-currency income into euros with a safety discount — details on the full constellation (loan-to-value, documents, currency discount) are on Residence Switzerland — all topics.
Can I use Swiss pension fund capital as equity for a German mortgage?
Pension fund capital can serve as equity only for an owner-occupied main residence, not for investment property or second homes.
Discuss your case
Non-binding initial consultation free of charge — as a rule the bank pays our fee.
Related pages
Calculate your budget
How much property is realistically financeable with your equity and income?
KfW funding
Usually excluded for a pure investment property from abroad — returning for owner-occupation often opens up regular KfW programmes.
State funding by federal state
Almost every federal state has its own development bank, often combinable with KfW.
Editorially responsible: Olga Nikushkina — owner, §34i GewO (German mortgage brokerage), adviser register D-W-132-ZUCB-95. Specialised in German property financing with an international dimension: non-residents, foreign-currency income, cross-border workers, expats. Siegfried Perini is entered in the German intermediary register under this licence as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice (§ 11a GewO), active in real estate since 1992. Not legal or tax advice.
