Analysis
Articles.
Deep analysis on Swiss mortgage rules, tax, and the practical realities of relocating. Built from primary sources, written to pair with the country guides and calculators rather than to sell anything.
Current pieces unpack why Swiss banks lend so conservatively and the FINMA math behind affordability. More follow as the country and calculator coverage expands.
Analysis
Pillar 3a vs pillar 2 buy-ins: which to max first
Two voluntary tax-deductible pension vehicles, compared on tax, the 3-year lock-up, return, insurance, and inheritance. Which gets your franc first.
~14 min readAnalysis
Fixed vs SARON: the Swiss mortgage decision in 2026
Switzerland's two mortgage products: SARON (~1% all-in) and fixed (~1.5%). The mechanics, the June 2026 rate environment, and how to choose.
~14 min readAnalysis
Switzerland's 20% down problem: pillar 3a fills the gap
Switzerland requires 20% down, with half as hard equity pillar 2 cannot fund. How pillar 3a qualifies, and the withdrawal vs pledge math.
~14 min readAnalysis
How much can you borrow for a Swiss home? The FINMA math
Walking through FINMA's 33% rule, the 5% stress rate, and the 15-year second-mortgage amortisation, with a worked example.
~11 min readAnalysis
Why Swiss mortgage lenders are so conservative
Switzerland has some of the strictest mortgage rules in Europe: the 33% rule, 20% down, the 80% LTV ceiling. Here is why, and what it means for buyers.
~13 min read