In Geneva, where owning property remains out of reach for most people, Casatax represents a real fiscal boost for households. Created in 2004 by the Geneva Real Estate Chamber, this measure aims to reduce the costs associated with buying real estate, especially as prices and banking requirements continue to rise.
In 2025, Casatax applies to any purchase of a primary residence below CHF 1,374,396. The buyer must commit to moving in within two years and staying for at least three years, or else repay the full discount. The scheme offers a flat reduction of CHF 20,616 on property transfer taxes and halves the registration fees on the mortgage certificate. Altogether, buyers can save up to CHF 27,000 instantly, with no strings attached. The process is simple: just fill out a form provided by the notary and send it to the Geneva tax authorities within two years of the purchase.
Casatax mainly targets the middle class, who are often held back by the need to gather significant funds to cover additional purchase costs. Yet, despite its effectiveness, the scheme remains largely unknown: many buyers only hear about it at the notary’s office or through their broker. This lack of awareness is also due to the rarity of properties under the price cap, as the median price for single-family homes in Geneva exceeds CHF 2.1 million. Casatax is therefore mostly relevant for apartments, especially in the suburbs or development zones.
The price cap is reviewed annually to reflect the market, and it is possible to benefit from Casatax multiple times, as long as the conditions are met. For sellers, it’s also a strong selling point: offering a property eligible for Casatax can attract more buyers.
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Pilet & Renaud Transactions SA
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