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For your own home Mortgages

Attractive interest terms
Advice from experts
Sustainability discount for climate-friendly real estate
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Key points at a glance
  • Individual offer: Whether fixed or flexible interest rate – we offer you the right mortgage. 
  • Attractive interest terms: With us, you benefit from competitive and attractive interest rates.
  • Sustainability discount: We support your commitment to sustainable living – for example, if you invest in a photovoltaic system.
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What is a mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan to finance your own home: With a mortgage from AXA, you receive tailor-made conditions that meet your individual needs.

If you want to take out a mortgage, you must understand its structure, ensure affordability, and choose a type of mortgage. We’ll show you what’s important.

Amortization: How to repay your mortgage

Amortization is the repayment of your mortgage in installments. These can be made either directly or indirectly – depending on what better suits you and your financial situation.

Direct repayment

Direct repayment is the annual repayment or amortization of your mortgage. However, as your mortgage debt decreases, your tax liability increases again.

Indirect repayment

Indirect repayment is made through your retirement provision. You don’t repay your mortgage, but rather invest regularly in a retirement provision policy – for example, in a pillar 3 solution with AXA. When the mortgage comes to an end, the mortgage debts are repaid with this capital. How you benefit: With this type of repayment, you benefit from tax advantages over the entire term.

Structuring a mortgage

A basic distinction is made between the first and second mortgage:

The first mortgage corresponds to 66.67% of the purchase price of your home. The second mortgage protects the rest of the external capital. This is normally 13.33%. The second mortgage must be repaid in full within 15 years or at the latest by the time you reach the age of 65 (60 with AXA).

Ensure affordability of your mortgage

You finance 20% of the purchase price of your property from your own funds and the remaining 80% from borrowed capital.

Note the following basic rules:

  • The higher the percentage you pay with your own funds, the lower your interest payments will be.
  • When buying a house or purchasing other residential property, your current expenses should not exceed a third of your annual gross income. This includes interest on the first and second mortgages, ancillary costs, and repayment for the second mortgage.

What types of mortgages are there?

Regardless of whether you want to buy a home or pay off your existing mortgage: With our two mortgage solutions, you are sure to find the right financing for your home. Do you prefer reliability or would you like to stay flexible? With AXA you have the choice. We offer the following types of mortgages:

Fixed-rate mortgage

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the amount, the interest rate, and the term are fixed. The term can be concluded for between two and 15 years, or longer if required, depending on the individual needs of the borrower.

Advantages of a fixed-rate mortgage

  • Reliability of planning: The interest rate is fixed over a term of up to 15 years and longer and is hedged against rising interest rates.
  • Budget security: Thanks to the fixed interest rate, you have predictable expenses.
  • Stability: No adjustments or reviews are necessary during the term of the fixed-rate mortgage.

Disadvantages of a fixed-rate mortgage

  • Limited flexibility: Due to the fixed interest rate, you have no opportunity to adjust the mortgage to a changed financial situation or market conditions and benefit from possible lower interest rates. 

SARON mortgage

The SARON (Swiss Average Rate Over Night) mortgage, also known as a money-market mortgage, is based on the money market and is subject to daily fluctuations. This mortgage is therefore especially suitable for homeowners who assume a decreasing or at least stable interest rate level. 

With the SARON mortgage, you can switch completely or in part, free of charge, to a fixed-rate mortgage at the end of any quarter.

Advantages of a SARON mortgage

  • Flexibility with the interest rate: SARON mortgage interest rates adjust to market interest rates, which can lead to lower interest costs if interest rates fall.
  • Conditions in line with the market: The conditions of the SARON mortgage reflect the current market situation and enable you, as a borrower, to benefit from low interest rate phases.
  • Transparency: The SARON reference interest rate is public and transparent, allowing you to calculate mortgage interest rates in a comprehensible manner.
  • No long-term commitment: Unlike fixed-rate mortgages, SARON mortgages often come with shorter commitment or notice periods.

Disadvantages of a SARON mortgage

  • Interest rate risk: As interest rates adjust to the market, there is a risk that they will rise, which can lead to higher interest costs.
  • Planning uncertainty: Fluctuating interest rates make precise long-term planning difficult.

Variable rate mortgage

With a variable rate mortgage, the interest rate changes according to the situation on the money markets and capital markets. You remain flexible because you don’t have to set a fixed interest rate or a fixed term. If you expect interest rates to decrease and are not concerned about the risk of rising rates, then you should choose a variable rate mortgage. This solution is also suitable for homeowners who, for example, would like to sell their home in the foreseeable future.

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For what types of properties does AXA grant mortgages?

AXA grants mortgages for owner-occupied residential property (main residences). The minimum mortgage amount is CHF 400,000.

Interest rates: The costs of a mortgage from AXA

Our interest rates are based on the fluctuations on the Swiss money market and capital markets. Your creditworthiness and the quality of coverage also play a role.

At AXA, you can conveniently make interest payments on a quarterly basis: On March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

SARON margin on request.

Our sustainability discount for climate-friendly real estate

AXA supports your efforts to create a more sustainable future: Whether you are replacing your heating system with renewable energy, installing more efficient thermal insulation or a photovoltaic system, or making other CO₂-reducing investments – we support your commitment with attractive discounts.

  • 0.4% p.a. discount for fixed-rate mortgages (up to CHF 250,000 for a maximum of five years)
  • 0.2% p.a. discount for money-market mortgages (up to CHF 250,000 for three years)

Already own a home with an energy-optimized building envelope and renewable energies for heat generation and want to transfer your financing to us? We will be pleased to offer you the same sustainability discount.

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Frequently asked questions about mortgages

  • What are the advantages of taking out a mortgage from AXA?

    You benefit from the following advantages when you take out a mortgage from AXA:

    1. Simple, personal processing: Straightforward and personal support from AXA’s experts.
    2. Attractive interest rates: With us, you benefit from competitive and attractive interest rates.
    3. Support throughout the entire process, even after the contract has been signed: Continuous and free support throughout the entire process, even after conclusion.
    4. Sustainability discount for climate-friendly real estate: Secure attractive discounts if you are renovating your home to make it more energy efficient or if you already own a home that has been renovated in this way.
    5. Comprehensive advice: We provide expert advice on topics such as home financing, pensions, and insurance. 
  • How much of my own funds do I need to invest?

    You need at least 20% equity. This includes savings, pension assets from pillar 3, and inheritance advances. Pension fund assets and repayable loans do not count.

    The higher your equity ratio, the lower your mortgage and therefore your interest burden.

  • How do I repay my mortgage?

    You can repay your mortgage in two ways:

    • The first mortgage generally corresponds to 66.67% of the purchase price of your home. For tax reasons, it can make a lot of sense to not start repaying this mortgage straight away.
    • The second mortgage must be amortized, usually within 15 years or at the latest by the age of 60.
  • What’s the difference between direct and indirect amortization?

    The main difference between direct and indirect amortization of a mortgage lies in the way in which the debt is repaid. With direct amortization, the mortgage is reduced directly at regular intervals, which reduces the debt and the interest burden. With indirect amortization, on the other hand, the repayments are paid into a tied pillar 3a account (a tax-privileged pension account). The mortgage remains unchanged, but the funds saved can be used for repayment at the end. This leads to tax advantages, as the mortgage and interest remain constant.

  • What happens to the mortgage if I sell the property before amortization?

    If you wish to sell the property before the agreed term, you will incur additional costs. How high the costs for terminating a current mortgage are depends on the agreed interest rate, the remaining term of the mortgage, and the current interest rate level.

  • Can I repay my mortgage before the end of the agreed term?

    No, early repayment is not possible.

  • What documents do I need for a mortgage application?

    All information on the documents to be submitted for a mortgage application can be found in the  mortgage application (in German).

  • What is a financing confirmation?

    A financing confirmation is written proof that AXA is prepared to grant a mortgage for a specific property. This confirmation shows that the financing is secured and that AXA has checked your creditworthiness. It is often required in the real estate purchase process to confirm the buyer’s solvency to the seller. However, such a confirmation is not yet a binding loan agreement, but a provisional commitment subject to certain conditions.

  • For what types of investment properties does AXA grant mortgages?
    • Mainly residential, office, and commercial properties that have good resale potential
    • Short-term vacancy rate of max. 5 – 10%
    • Up to 30% of rental income from hospitality/commercial/industrial tenants

    The minimum amount for a mortgage to finance investment properties is CHF 800,000.

  • For which properties does AXA not grant mortgages?
    • Construction land / construction projects
    • Vacation properties (chalets/apartments/houses)
    • Properties abroad
    • Financing of subordinate mortgages
    • Properties in bad condition
    • Properties intended for resale
    • Special-purpose properties, e.g. agricultural, schools, residential homes, hotels, restaurants, commercial, industrial
  • What happens to my mortgage if I die?

    The loss of a loved one not only brings emotional burdens, but can also present financial challenges for the bereaved. In some cases, the remaining income may not be sufficient to continue to meet mortgage obligations. To protect your family from such financial burdens and allow them to keep the home, a term life insurance policy can be helpful. This insurance can help reduce the mortgage and ensure that the monthly payments remain affordable.

Do you have any questions? We are there for you

  • help_man

    AXA Mortgage Center (DE/IT)

    AXA Hypothekarcenter / W0.174
    General-Guisan-Strasse 40
    P.O. Box 357
    8401 Winterthur

    Phone: +41582154401

    Email
  • help_woman

    AXA Mortgage Center (FR)

    AXA Centre hypothécaire / DD-1.301
    Case postale 2
    1001 Lausanne

    Phone: +41582153401

    Email
A man in a suit signs documents. In the foreground is a model house on building plans with a bunch of keys next to it.

Tips for financing your own home

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