The End of the Eigenmietwert: What Changes for Homeowners
Swiss voters decided to abolish the imputed rental value. Here is what it means for taxes and mortgages.
5 min read · Mortgage & Property
In September 2025, Swiss voters approved a reform that abolishes the Eigenmietwert, the imputed rental income on owner-occupied homes. The change is expected to apply from 2028 (the exact date is set by the Federal Council).
How it worked until now
Homeowners were taxed on a notional rent for living in their own home. In return they could deduct mortgage interest and maintenance costs. People with large mortgages often came out ahead; those who had paid off their home paid tax on a rental value they never received.
What changes
- No more tax on imputed rental value for the primary residence.
- Mortgage interest deductions disappear for owner-occupied homes (with limited rules for first-time buyers in some versions).
- Maintenance and renovation deductions largely go for the primary residence; energy-saving measures may stay deductible depending on the final law.
- Second homes will stay taxed, giving cantons a way to levy tax on them.
Example with default values. Open the calculator →
Who gains, who loses?
Owners with low debt and high rental values benefit. Highly indebted owners lose the deduction. That changes the logic for indirect amortization via pillar 3a and makes direct repayment more attractive.
Use the Eigenmietwert effect calculator as a rough guide, but check the final federal and cantonal rules before making financial decisions.