Closing costs in the canton of Glarus
Overview
Glarus does without a transfer tax — here the main burden of the closing costs falls on the value-based land register fee, which effectively acts like a small tax and grows with the purchase price without any cap. Notarization follows its own Glarus logic: property deals are notarized by municipal clerks or by lawyers acting as deed officers, while mortgage contracts are notarized by the cantonal land register office itself — a single office serving the whole canton. A curiosity: notarizing the mortgage contract has an unusually low cost cap, while the register entry has none.
The table shows the rates of all blocks with tariff type, who pays, source and check date; for concrete numbers use the calculator. All cantons side by side — in the canton overview; background in the guide to the transfer tax.
The four cost blocks
| Cost block | Tariff | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax | not levied Source: www.estv2.admin.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Notary fees | tiered rate Source: gesetze.gl.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Land register fees | flat rate Source: gesetze.gl.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Mortgage note | several fees Source: gesetze.gl.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a transfer tax in the canton of Glarus?
No. Glarus levies no transfer tax — but the value-based land register fee carries a noticeable share of the closing costs; the table shows its level.
Who notarizes a property purchase in Glarus?
Municipal clerks and their deputies, or lawyers acting as deed officers; mortgage contracts are notarized by the cantonal land register office itself.
Is the land register fee in Glarus capped?
For ownership transfers the tariff only has a floor, no ceiling — with large purchase prices the fee grows accordingly.