Closing costs in the canton of Ticino
Overview
Ticino levies no transfer tax — the value-based burden sits instead in the land registry’s registration tassa, and it has a twist: above a statutory value threshold the rate jumps upward and then applies to the whole amount, not just the excess. On top comes the cantonal stamp duty (imposta di bollo) on the deed, which many overviews simply omit. As for the notariat: the tariff fixes maximum fees (“up to”), not a set price — what the table and the calculator show is the permissible ceiling, and the actual invoice can come in below it. VAT is added for the independent notariat.
Tassa, bollo, notary and mortgage note are listed in the table with tariff type, who pays, source and check date; the effect of the rate jump is shown directly by the calculator. Comparisons run through the canton overview, and the system is explained in the guide to the transfer tax.
The four cost blocks
| Cost block | Tariff | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax | not levied Source: m3.ti.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Notary fees | several fees (plus VAT) Source: m3.ti.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Land register fees | tiered rate Source: m3.ti.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Mortgage note | several fees (plus VAT) Source: m3.ti.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a transfer tax in Ticino?
Not as a tax of its own. Economically its role is played by the land registry's registration tassa — it is value-based and jumps to the higher rate above a statutory value threshold, applying to the entire amount.
Are notary costs in Ticino fixed?
No — the tariff sets maximums. The fee may go up to those limits, but the notary can charge less; our estimate is therefore an upper bound.
What is the imposta di bollo on a purchase?
A cantonal stamp duty on the deed, due alongside the tassa and the notary's fee — with its own, lower rate for pledge deeds. Aggregators rarely show it separately.