Affordability calculator
How much home can you afford? The bank calculates with a 5 % interest rate and requires interest, amortisation and upkeep together to stay within 1/3 of your gross income. On top of that you need at least 20 % equity. Enter your figures and the calculator shows you the highest purchase price. Free, no account, everything stays in your browser.
Your figures
Everyone taking out the mortgage together, before deductions, including a 13th month’s salary.
Everything together: savings, pillar 3a, gifts or advance inheritance and pension fund money.
Advance withdrawal or pledge from the 2nd pillar. Only with this figure does the calculator also check equity outside the pension fund.
Without an age we assume 15 years of amortisation, as if there were enough time left until retirement.
The calculator then also checks whether this price is affordable.
Everything is calculated in your browser. Your figures are not sent to Ubivo.
Enter income and equity and the highest purchase price appears here.
Not financial advice; what counts is your bank’s assessment.
How the bank calculates
Most Swiss banks use the same rule. The calculator uses these values:
- Imputed interest rate
- 5 % on the whole mortgage, regardless of the rate you actually pay.
- Upkeep and running costs
- 1 % of the purchase price per year.
- Affordability
- Interest, amortisation and upkeep together at most 1/3 of the household’s gross income.
- Equity
- At least 20 % of the purchase price, so the mortgage is at most 80 %.
- Equity outside the pension fund
- At least 10 % of the purchase price must not come from the pension fund, for example savings, pillar 3a or a gift.
- Repaying the second mortgage
- The part of the mortgage above 2/3 of the purchase price (the second mortgage) is repaid within 15 years, at the latest by retirement. The calculator assumes retirement at 65.
Some banks use a slightly lower rate or a smaller upkeep allowance. The calculator always takes the stricter of the usual values.
Sources
- Swiss Bankers Association guidelines on mortgage financing (PDF from FINMA, in German)
- UBS: what does affordability mean? (in German)
- Schwyzer Kantonalbank: calculating affordability (in German)
- Helvetia: affordability guide (in German)
Sources checked on 29 September 2026.
What the calculator does not know
- The bank values the property itself. If its lending value is below the purchase price, you have to cover the difference with additional equity that does not come from the pension fund.
- Purchase costs such as property transfer tax, notary and land registry fees are not included. Banks usually expect you to pay them on top from your own funds.
- Imputed rental value and taxes are not included.
- Each bank decides which income counts. Some only partly count bonuses, side income or pensions, and some test the burden against net income.
- The imputed rate is not your rate. What the mortgage actually costs you depends on your bank’s offer.
Frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford?
As much as two bank rules allow: imputed interest (5 %), amortisation and upkeep (1 % of the purchase price) together may not exceed 1/3 of your gross income, and you need at least 20 % equity. With a household income of CHF 150,000 and CHF 200,000 equity, for example, the highest purchase price is CHF 891,891.
How much equity do I need?
At least 20 % of the purchase price, of which at least 10 % from sources other than the pension fund. For a price of CHF 1,000,000 that is CHF 200,000, of which CHF 100,000 from outside the pension fund. Purchase costs come on top.
Can I use my pension fund?
Yes, as an advance withdrawal or a pledge, but only for a home you live in yourself. Because at least 10 % of the price must come from other funds, at most 10 % of the price can come from the pension fund. An advance withdrawal is taxed and reduces your retirement benefits.
Why does the bank calculate with 5 % interest?
The imputed rate is a stress test. The bank wants to be sure you can keep your home even if rates rise sharply. Your actual mortgage rate is usually much lower, but affordability is tested with the imputed rate.
What is the second mortgage and by when do I have to repay it?
The first mortgage covers up to 2/3 of the purchase price; anything above that is the second mortgage. It has to be repaid within 15 years, at the latest by retirement (the calculator assumes retirement at 65). If you buy at 55, you only have 10 years, and the yearly amortisation rises accordingly.
Check a specific address
Have a property in mind? The Ubivo Dossier for the address shows affordability with your purchase price, plus taxes, health insurance, property tax and transfer tax for exactly that municipality. Taxes and health insurance are already in the free report.
No address yet? Compare municipalities: taxes and living costs for every Swiss municipality.