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What is the minimum income to become a homeowner in Switzerland? This is the question that many tenants ask themselves who wish to buy their primary residence. In reality, the feasibility of your project depends on the following factors:

  • Debt-service ratio: The total theoretical annual costs (interest, amortization, maintenance) must not exceed 33% of your total gross income.

  • Equity requirement: A personal contribution of 20% is required, of which at least 10% must come from own liquid funds, excluding withdrawal from the 2nd pillar (BVG).

  • Bank safety rate: Banks assess your financial capacity based on a theoretical interest rate of 5% to guarantee the viability of the mortgage.


What is the minimum salary to buy in 2026?

First of all, there is no universally legally defined minimum salary for property purchase, but rather a financial viability threshold specific to each case.


In 2026, with a national median price for a condominium (PPE, property by floor) around CHF 8,000 per square meter, bank requirements have become the real entry filter.


Examples of required income according to the property

The salary to become a homeowner varies drastically according to the type of property and its location:

  • Apartment in the outskirts (CHF 500,000): a gross annual income of CHF 90,000 to CHF 100,000 is often the strict minimum required.

  • Individual villa (Vaud, Geneva, Zurich): for a property exceeding one million, household income must frequently exceed CHF 200,000 to meet bank criteria.


The golden rule: the 33% ratio

This rule stipulates that all theoretical housing costs (5% interest, amortization, and maintenance) must not weigh more than one third (33%) of your gross income.


Good to know: Banks do not base themselves on your net salary (what you receive in your account), but on the gross amount stated on your salary certificate. They include in this calculation:

  • Base salary (12 or 13 months)

  • Regular bonuses (often calculated as a 3-year average)

  • Family allowances, which are a valuable lever to increase your borrowing capacity


From which salary can one buy a property in Switzerland?

To determine the salary required to become a homeowner for your project, you must apply the calculation of the "theoretical charge". Take the example of a villa worth CHF 1,000,000:

  • Equity (20%): CHF 200,000

  • Mortgage debt (80%): CHF 800,000

  • Theoretical interest (5% of the debt): CHF 40,000

  • Amortization (approx. 1% of the debt): CHF 10,000

  • Maintenance costs (1% of the property value): CHF 10,000


The total theoretical costs here amount to CHF 60,000 per year. By multiplying this amount by three, you get the required gross annual salary: CHF 180,000. This threshold varies considerably depending on the region.


In 2026, if you target Valais or Jura, salaries of CHF 110,000 may be sufficient for quality properties.


What to do in case of too low income to buy in Switzerland?

If your current situation does not allow you to reach the 33% ratio, several levers can be activated to realize your life project without necessarily waiting for a salary increase.


Increasing equity

By injecting 30% or 40% contribution instead of the regulatory 20%, you reduce the amount of debt and, by extension, the theoretical costs.


Pledging the 2nd pillar

Instead of withdrawing your pension assets, you can pledge them. This sometimes allows borrowing up to 90% of the property value, provided your income is very high to support the debt.


Buying as a couple

The majority of Swiss become homeowners by combining two salaries. Banks add the income of spouses or partners for the calculation of the debt-service ratio.


Guarantee or inheritance advance

Family assistance in the form of a donation or interest-free loan allows increasing your personal contribution and smoothing the financial burden.


How to optimize your financing to become a homeowner in Switzerland?

It is primarily about demonstrating to the bank that you are a low-risk profile.


Improve your financial profile in advance

To maximize your salary to become a homeowner, we advise reducing your fixed costs before submitting your file:

  • Pay off consumer loans: each monthly payment of a small loan or credit card directly reduces your residual borrowing capacity.

  • Evaluate your leasings: a car leasing contract is considered by banks as a significant charge that can push your debt ratio beyond the allowed 33%.

  • Anticipate 6 to 12 months: a clean banking history, without enforcement actions or overdrafts, is the best guarantee of seriousness for your advisor.


Choose the appropriate mortgage strategy

The choice of model affects your actual monthly budget, even if the bank always calculates eligibility based on a theoretical 5% interest rate:

  • SARON rate: often more advantageous, offers great flexibility but requires a financial reserve to absorb possible market fluctuations.

  • Fixed mortgage: offers total security on your monthly payments, ideal for families wishing to fix their housing costs for 10 or 15 years.


Use fiscal and pension levers

In 2026, while the reform on the abolition of the imputed rental value is at the heart of debates, some strategies remain advantageous:

  • Indirect amortization via the 3rd pillar: instead of repaying your debt directly, you pay these amounts into a pension account (3a). This keeps your debt at the same level and thus maximizes the deduction of interest from your taxable income.

  • Deductions for first-time buyers: for a first purchase, specific deductions on mortgage interest can still be activated to lighten your tax burden in the first years.


FAQ

Can I buy in Switzerland in 2026 without equity?

No, the directives of the Swiss Bankers Association impose a minimum of 20% equity. Of these 20%, at least half (10% of the total price) must come from own liquid funds, excluding BVG withdrawal.


Is the annual bonus taken into account in my salary to become a homeowner?

Yes, but banks generally take an average over the last three years. They often apply a safety discount to ensure that your financial capacity does not depend on fluctuating variable income.


What is the impact of a car lease on my purchasing capacity?

A lease is considered a fixed cost. The bank deducts the monthly lease payment from your disposable income before calculating whether you can cover housing costs, which reduces your borrowing capacity.


Is it easier to buy a villa in certain cantons?

The answer is yes. Income requirements are indexed to the local market price. Becoming a homeowner is significantly more accessible in the cantons of Fribourg, Valais, or Jura than in the urban centers of Lausanne or Geneva.


Can I use my 3rd pillar to increase my contribution?

Yes, 3rd pillar assets (A or B) are considered "hard" equity, just like your savings. Unlike the 2nd pillar, they can constitute the entire 10% of equity excluding BVG required by banks for the purchase of a villa or apartment.