Estimate how much you can borrow for a home in seconds,
using the criteria Swiss banks apply.
| Equity used | — |
| of which pension fund | — |
| Equity ratio | — |
| Affordability ratio | — |
Monthly payments, affordability ratio, equity: get the details, and an adviser compares more than 30 banks for you.
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The calculator applies the rules Swiss banks use to finance a main residence. How much you can borrow does not depend on the actual rate of your mortgage: banks test your file with a higher, imputed rate to make sure you stay solvent if rates go up.
Your maximum purchase price is the lower of two ceilings: the one set by your income and the one set by your equity. Your current rent is not counted as a cost, since it stops when you buy. Also plan for purchase costs (property transfer tax, notary), paid on top of your equity: see the real costs of buying in Vaud.
A household with no loans or car leases. Income is what limits the price.
| Maximum purchase price | CHF 618,000 |
| Mortgage | CHF 468,000 |
| Imputed interest (5%) | CHF 23,400 |
| Amortisation | CHF 3,733 |
| Maintenance (1%) | CHF 6,180 |
| Imputed costs per year | CHF 33,313 |
Costs come to 33.3% of income: the one-third limit is reached.
The same calculation, with a higher income.
| Maximum purchase price | CHF 891,000 |
| Mortgage | CHF 691,000 |
| Imputed interest (5%) | CHF 34,550 |
| Amortisation | CHF 6,467 |
| Maintenance (1%) | CHF 8,910 |
| Imputed costs per year | CHF 49,927 |
With a car lease of CHF 1,000 a month, the maximum price drops to CHF 843,000, which is CHF 48,000 less.
The mortgage can cover at most 80% of the property value, and the imputed costs (interest at 5%, amortisation and maintenance) must not exceed one third of your gross income. With exactly 20% equity, this lets you buy a property worth about 5.7 times your gross annual income: about CHF 566,000 for an income of CHF 100,000.
With CHF 200,000 of equity (20%), the mortgage is CHF 800,000. Imputed costs come to CHF 58,889 a year: CHF 40,000 of interest at 5%, CHF 8,889 of amortisation and CHF 10,000 of maintenance. You therefore need a gross income of at least CHF 176,667 a year. More equity lowers this minimum income.
The 5% rate is an imputed rate Swiss banks use to check that you could still afford your mortgage if rates went up. It is not the rate in your contract, which is much lower today. The monthly payments shown by the calculator use indicative market rates.
Yes, but only for half of the 20% required. At least 10% of the price must come from other sources: savings, pillar 3a, a gift or an advance on inheritance. Pension fund money can be withdrawn, with a tax on the withdrawal, or pledged.
Yes. The part of the mortgage above two thirds of the property value (the second rank) must be repaid, usually within 15 years or before retirement. Amortisation can be direct, or indirect through a pledged pillar 3a account. If your equity reaches one third of the price, no amortisation is required.
No. The calculator applies the standard Swiss market rules for a main residence. Each bank has its own criteria: how bonuses count, the imputed rate, rental income. A broker compares more than 30 banks and insurers to find those that accept your file on the best terms.
Banks do not all apply these rules the same way. Marc Saugy, an independent broker in Yverdon-les-Bains, compares more than 30 banks and insurers for your file, in English and free of charge.
Run my simulation →Rules and examples checked on 13 October 2026. Version française : calculateur hypothèque.