Budget check
How much can I borrow in Switzerland?
Swiss banks do not look at a score. They look at what is left of your income at the end of the month. Our budget check estimates that the same way.
Budget check
How much room does your budget have?
The check runs only in your browser. We do not store anything and never see your figures.
Budget calculator
Your figures stay in your browser. We do not store anything.
A rough estimate, calculated the way banks do it: repayment within 36 months at the maximum rate of 10 %, with flat amounts for basic living costs, health insurance and taxes. Only the bank's assessment is binding.
How banks calculate
The affordability check, step by step
Before a Swiss bank grants a loan, it must check that you can afford it (Art. 28 KKG). The rule: you must be able to repay the loan within 36 months without falling below the subsistence minimum. The bank calculates with the highest permitted rate, even if your offer is lower.
From your net income the bank deducts:
- a basic amount for daily life, for example CHF 1,200 for a single person or CHF 1,700 for a couple, plus an amount per child,
- your rent or mortgage costs,
- compulsory health insurance (KVG / LAMal) and taxes,
- instalments for other loans and leases, plus any maintenance payments.
What this means for you
What remains is your free budget. It decides how high your instalment, and therefore your loan, can be. Your loan can still run longer than 36 months, for example 60 or 84 months. The 36 months are only the yardstick from the law.
If you pay withholding tax
With a B permit, tax is usually deducted straight from your salary (withholding tax, Quellensteuer / impôt à la source). The bank then works with your payslip after tax. If you have moved to ordinary assessment, the bank counts your tax bills as a monthly cost instead.
How to create more room
- Fewer instalments: every running instalment reduces your free budget. Combining loans can free up room.
- Apply together: couples can apply jointly. Then both incomes count.
- Declare all income: a 13th month salary and child allowances count as well.
- Stay realistic: a slightly smaller amount that clearly fits often gets the better rate.
Good to know
The budget check uses flat rates for health insurance and taxes. The bank uses your real figures, so your result can differ. If you are unsure about your permit or residence, read the eligibility page first.
Questions
About how much you can borrow
How much can I borrow with CHF 5,000 net a month?
With CHF 5,000 net, normal rent and no other loans, an amount in the low five figures is often possible. What decides it is how much is left after all fixed costs. The budget check above gives you a first answer.
Does my partner’s income count?
Yes, if you apply for the loan together. The bank then uses both incomes and your shared costs.
Does income from abroad count?
Banks look mainly at regular income paid in Switzerland. Rental income or a pension from abroad may be taken into account in some cases, if you can document it.
Why 36 months if I want to repay over five years?
The 36 months are only the calculation rule from the law (Art. 28 KKG). Your actual loan can run longer, up to 120 months.
Your budget has room?
Then send your request. Free of charge and without obligation.