One Place logo - AI-powered real estate search engine

Purchase offer template for Switzerland

Purchase offer (non-binding letter of intent)Kaufangebot (unverbindliche Kaufabsichtserklärung)

A letter in which the buyer states the price and conditions at which they want to buy a named property. In Switzerland it cannot bind either party: a sale of land and every promise to sell or buy it needs a public deed. The letter opens talks and gives the notary the data for the deed.

Use it after a visit, when you want to show the seller or the estate agent that you are serious, at what price and on what terms. Use it also to fix the points the notary will put in the deed: price, handover date, financing and the documents you need first. Do not use it to secure the property. Only a sale deed or a preliminary contract signed before a notary can do that.

Reviewed October 28, 2026. Not legal advice. Have a notary or lawyer check your case before you sign.

Key facts

Applies to
German-speaking cantons. The form rules are federal and apply in every canton. Zurich details are marked.
Effect of the letter
Not binding. A sale of land is valid only as a public deed (OR Art. 216 para 1).
Preliminary contract or option
Also needs a public deed (OR Art. 216 para 2). A purchase option can last at most 10 years, a pre-emption right 25 years (OR Art. 216a).
Reservation agreement
Void if signed without a notary. The buyer can usually reclaim the reservation payment.
Clause to keep the payment
Valid only if it covers no more than costs the seller wasted in reliance on the sale (BGE 140 III 200; BGer 4A_109/2018).
Transfer of ownership
Only on entry in the land register (ZGB Art. 656).
Own funds for a mortgage
At least 10% of the lending value from funds outside the occupational pension, the 2nd pillar (Swiss Bankers Association guidelines).
Mortgage repayment
The debt must fall to 2/3 of the lending value within 15 years (Swiss Bankers Association guidelines).
Persons abroad
Need a cantonal permit, except for a main home at their legal and actual Swiss residence or another exception (BewG Art. 2 and 5).
Transfer tax
None in Zurich since 1 January 2005. Other cantons charge a transfer tax.
Notary and land registry fees
They apply in Zurich. Both parties are jointly liable for them.

The document

Text shown

You sign the German version. The English version helps you understand it. Your answers fill both.

Purchase offer (non-binding letter of intent)

  1. 1.Sender and recipient

    1. 1.1

      Sender: Buyer or buyers, Buyer's address (hereinafter "the prospective buyer").

      Give each buyer's full name, date of birth and nationality. For a company, give its name and registered office.

    2. 1.2

      Recipient: Seller or the seller's agent, Seller's or agent's address.

      If an agent holds the sale mandate, address the letter to the agent and ask the agent to pass it to the owner.

  2. 2.Property

    1. 2.1

      I am interested in buying the property at Address of the property, plot Plot number and municipality, consisting of Description of the property, which is offered at a price of CHF Asking price in CHF.

      Copy the plot number (Grundstück-Nr. or Kat.-Nr.) from the land register extract. For a flat, add the condominium unit (Stockwerkeinheit) number.

  3. 3.Offered price

    1. 3.1

      I offer a purchase price of CHF Offered price in CHF (in words: Offered price in words francs) for the property. The price is payable on the transfer of ownership.

      The deed sets how and when the price is paid. Agree the payment method with the notary and your bank before the signing date.

  4. 4.Financing

    1. 4.1

      I will finance the price with own funds of CHF Own funds in CHF and a mortgage of CHF Mortgage amount in CHF. My offer is subject to final confirmation of financing by my bank.

      Delete the reservation if you pay entirely from your own funds. The seller will ask for proof of financing before the notary sets a date.

  5. 5.Conditions and documents

    1. 5.1

      I propose Handover date (benefit and risk pass) as the date of handover, with the transfer of benefit and risk.

      When the contract fixes a handover date, the law presumes that benefit and risk pass to the buyer on that date (OR Art. 220).

    2. 5.2

      Before the deed is signed, I need the following documents: Documents you need before the deed.

    3. 5.3

      Optional

      Other conditions: Other conditions.

      Keep it for conditions such as an expert inspection, vacant possession or items sold with the property. If there are none, delete it.

  6. 6.No binding effect

    1. 6.1

      This offer is a non-binding declaration of intent. A contract for the sale of land and any preliminary contract for it are valid only as a public deed (Art. 216 OR). Neither party is bound until the publicly notarised sale contract is signed.

      Keep this clause. It states the legal position and prevents a dispute about a supposed agreement.

    2. 6.2

      No payment is made with this offer, in particular no reservation fee or down payment.

  7. 7.Next steps

    1. 7.1

      If you accept my offer, please instruct the notary at the place where the property lies to prepare a draft sale contract and send it to me for review in good time before the signing appointment.

      In Zurich the competent notary is the state Notariat of the district. Ask for the draft well before signing. If unsure, have an independent lawyer check it.

  8. 8.Validity

    1. 8.1

      This offer stands until Date until which the offer stands. Please reply in writing by that date.

      Set a short period. Because the letter does not bind you, you can also withdraw it earlier.

  9. 9.Signature

    1. 9.1

      Kind regards. Place of signature, Date of signature. Signature: Buyer or buyers.

      Each buyer signs. Spouses who will buy together both sign.

Formalities

  1. The letter needs no form, witness or notary. Sign and date it.
  2. Send it by email or by post to the seller, or to the agent who holds the sale mandate.
  3. The letter does not bind you, even if a clause says so. A contract to sell land and any preliminary contract need a public deed (OR Art. 216).
  4. Pay nothing with the offer. Agents often ask for a signed reservation agreement and a reservation payment.
  5. The Federal Supreme Court treats a reservation agreement as a preliminary contract. Without a public deed it is void, and you can usually reclaim the payment.
  6. If you are a person abroad under the Lex Koller, check whether you need a cantonal permit before you make the offer.
  7. In Zurich the state notary office (Notariat) of the district where the property lies draws up the deed.
  8. In Bern, Basel and most French- and Italian-speaking cantons, the parties choose a freelance notary.

Common mistakes

  • Paying a reservation fee to secure the property. Without a public deed the reservation agreement is void, and you may need a court to get the money back.
  • Believing the seller's written acceptance binds the seller. Until the deed is signed before a notary, the seller can still sell to someone else.
  • Making the offer before your bank confirms the mortgage in writing. Check that at least 10% of the lending value comes from funds outside the 2nd pillar.
  • Ignoring the Lex Koller. A purchase that needs a permit has no effect until the permit is final.
  • Missing the permit deadline. The land registrar rejects the filing if no permit is obtained in time (BewG Art. 18 and 26).
  • Describing the property only by its street address. Give the plot number and, for a flat, the condominium unit number from the land register.
  • Forgetting the costs on top of the price: notary and land registry fees, mortgage registration fees, and in many cantons a transfer tax.

Legal basis

Sources

Describe the home you want