Closing costs in the canton of Zurich
Overview
Zurich abolished its real estate transfer tax as of early 2005 after a popular vote — a purchase now only triggers the fees for notarization and the land register entry. Contrary to a common assumption there is no free notary market: Zurich runs a state notariat with a single canton-wide fee tariff, and no communal surcharges exist. By law, the notarization and land register fees for ownership transfers are split equally between the two parties — a statutory cost split that few cantons have. Setting up the mortgage note as a register mortgage note also saves the fee for issuing a paper title.
The table lists the four cost blocks with tariff type, who pays, source and check date; you can run your own purchase through the calculator. The canton overview compares all cantons, and the mechanics of the tax are explained in the guide to the transfer tax.
The four cost blocks
| Cost block | Tariff | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax | not levied Source: www.zh.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
| Notary fees | flat rate (plus VAT) Source: www.notes.zh.ch · Last checked: | split (buyer 50%) |
| Land register fees | flat rate Source: www.notes.zh.ch · Last checked: | split (buyer 50%) |
| Mortgage note | several fees (plus VAT) Source: www.notes.zh.ch · Last checked: | Buyer |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a real estate transfer tax in the canton of Zurich?
No. It was abolished as of early 2005 following a popular vote. A purchase only triggers notary and land register fees — the table shows their level.
Who pays the notary and land register fees in Zurich?
The cantonal Notaries Act splits the fees for ownership transfers equally between the parties by default; a different arrangement can be agreed, and both remain jointly liable.
Can I choose my own notary in Zurich?
No. Zurich operates a state notariat — deeds are notarized at the official notary office, whose fees are set uniformly by a cantonal ordinance.