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Currency exchange for real estate transactions: real savings, from the preliminary agreement to the final deed

Currency Exchange for Real Estate Transactions:

real savings, from the preliminary agreement to the final deed

Buying or selling a property across borders is already a complex process in itself.

Don’t let your bank’s exchange rate turn a good deal into an unexpected expense. Moneyswapp.com offers competitive CHF/EUR exchange rates, ideal for the large amounts involved in real estate transactions.

The exchange rate your bank doesn't show you

When buying or selling a property between Switzerland and another country — in either direction — you often need to exchange significant amounts of money: deposits, final payments, notary fees, professional services, and renovation costs. Every Euro (or swiss Franc) lost through an unfavorable exchange rate is money that could have been invested in your property.

Banks typically apply an exchange rate spread — the difference between the real interbank rate and the rate offered to customers — which can range from 1.5% to 3% or more of the amount exchanged. On a €300,000 transaction, even a 1% difference represents a hidden cost of €3,000.

Additional costs often include fixed international transfer fees, unfavorable value dates, and procedures that can delay the transfer process. This can become a critical issue, especially when deadlines set by the notary must be met.

Let's look at an example:

How much can you save compared to your bank?

The comparison below is for illustrative purposes only and is intended to give you an idea of the potential savings. Actual values will depend on market exchange rates at the time of the transaction.

Amount to Exchange Traditional Bank: CHF 350,000
Moneyswapp.com: CHF 350,000

Applied Spread (Example) Traditional Bank: ~ 1.2%
Moneyswapp.com: 0.15%

Estimated Exchange Cost Traditional Bank: ~ CHF 4,200
Moneyswapp.com: ~ CHF 525

Potential Savings Traditional Bank: -
Moneyswapp.com: ~ CHF 3.675

Service

Amount to Exchange

Applied Spread (Example)

Estimated Exchange Cost

Potential Savings

Traditional Bank

CHF 350.000

~ 1,2%

~ CHF 4.200

–

Moneyswapp.com

CHF 350.000

0.15%

~ CHF 525

~ CHF 3.675

*Note: The values shown in the table are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of any exchange rate or savings. The actual rate will depend on market conditions at the time of the transaction. Always check the latest rate on Moneyswapp.com before carrying out any currency exchange transaction.

A saving of 105 basis points (1.05%) is calculated by comparing Moneyswapp.com’s exchange rates with the average rates applied by banks and traditional financial institutions in Switzerland for real estate transactions.

For which real estate transactions can you use Moneyswapp.com?

Purchase of Property abroad from Switzerland (CHF/EUR)

If you are a Swiss resident — a cross-border worker, expat, or Swiss citizen — and have found your dream home on Lake Como, in southern France, or elsewhere in Europe, you will need to convert Swiss francs into euros to cover the deposit, notary fees, and final property payment. Moneyswapp.com allows you to plan each transfer with a competitive exchange rate, without waiting for the delays — and paying the costs — often associated with traditional Swiss banks.

Purchase of Property in Switzerland from another country (CHF/EUR)

Investing in property in Switzerland — an apartment in Lugano or Locarno, a house in the Alps, or a home for your children studying in Geneva or Zurich? The EUR → CHF conversion is one of the first major costs of the transaction. With Moneyswapp.com, you can benefit from a competitive exchange rate and plan your transfer with confidence.

Deposit and Preliminary Purchase Agreement

The payment of the deposit must often be made quickly, sometimes within just a few days of signing the preliminary purchase agreement. A slow or expensive currency exchange service can jeopardize the transaction or reduce the agreed amount. Moneyswapp.com provides speed and transparency from the very first transfer.

Notary Fees and Official Deeds

The deposit payment often needs to be made quickly, sometimes within just a few days of signing the preliminary purchase agreement. A slow or costly currency exchange service can put the transaction at risk or reduce the agreed amount. Moneyswapp.com provides speed and transparency from the very first transfer.

Payment for Renovation Works

Have you purchased a property that requires renovation and need to pay contractors or construction companies in a country that uses a different currency? Moneyswapp.com can also handle staged payments to multiple beneficiaries, offering the same transparency and efficiency as a single transaction.

Managing Rental Income in a Foreign Currency

Do you earn rental income from a property abroad and receive payments in a currency different from your own? Or do you pay rent across borders every month? Moneyswapp.com helps optimize each recurring currency exchange, reducing the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on your monthly cash flow.

How It Works: From Quote to Transfer in 4 Steps

The process is simple, secure, and transparent:

I want to exchange:

CHF EUR USD GBP
Swap currencies
CHF EUR USD GBP

Your Savings*

7000 CHF

No fees. You get exactly what you see.

Live exchange rate:

1 CHF = - EUR

*Savings of 200 basis points (0.02) calculated by comparing Moneyswapp.com rates with the average rates applied by banks and traditional intermediaries in Switzerland.

Why choose Moneyswapp.com instead of your bank?

Exchange rates closer to the market 

Banks often recover their operating costs through wider exchange rate margins. With a more streamlined business model, Moneyswapp.com can offer significantly more competitive rates.

No Hidden Fees

The price you see is the price you pay. No additional transfer fees, no currency handling charges, and no surprises on your statement.

CHF/EUR Specialization

The cross border corridor is our area of expertise. We understand the needs of people who live, work, or invest across both countries: cross-border workers, expats, and international real estate investors.

Fast Transfers

Real estate transactions come with strict deadlines. Our transfers are designed to meet the timing requirements of notaries and preliminary purchase agreements, helping ensure your funds arrive when needed.

Dedicated Support

You’re not dealing with just a digital platform. Our team is available to guide you through every step of the process — especially when handling significant amounts, such as those typically involved in real estate transactions.

Full Traceability

Every transaction is carried out through official and regulated channels, in full compliance with Swiss anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Your funds remain fully traceable at every stage of the process.

Are you planning a real estate purchase between Switzerland and another country?

Contact us before making any exchange through your bank. In just a few minutes, we can show you how much you could save.

Frequently Asked Questions | FAQ

It’s normal to have questions before trying a new service. That’s why we want to answer the most common ones right away.

No. Moneyswapp.com does not offer forward contracts or the ability to lock in an exchange rate for a future transaction. However, once you request an exchange, the quoted rate can be secured until 7:00 PM on the following business day. Contact our team to learn more about the specific conditions and availability of this service.

Yes, absolutely. Using a professional currency exchange service to fund a real estate transaction is perfectly legal in both Switzerland and abroad. Funds are transferred through official banking channels, ensuring full traceability and compliance with applicable anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Moneyswapp.com operates in accordance with all regulations governing payment services.

We recommend contacting us at least 5–10 business days before the scheduled closing payment date. This allows sufficient time to verify the exchange rate, confirm the transaction, and ensure that the funds arrive on time. For particularly large amounts, it is advisable to plan even further in advance.

Yes. Moneyswapp.com can handle both the payment of the initial deposit and subsequent instalments of the purchase price, including the final payment at closing. You can structure the transaction across multiple transfers, each with its own agreed exchange rate.

Yes. The service is available for both directions of the currency exchange process: whether you are converting CHF to EUR (a Swiss resident purchasing property abroad) or EUR to CHF (an foreign resident purchasing property in Switzerland). Please contact our customer service team to verify the required documentation for your specific case.

Yes. Many Moneyswapp.com customers use the service not only for the property closing, but also to manage renovation expenses, including payments to construction companies, contractors, architects, surveyors, or any other cross-border costs related to the property.

Real estate timelines can change. If the date of your transaction is postponed, please contact our team as soon as possible. We will work with you to find the most suitable solution based on the market conditions at the time of the change.

Moneyswapp.com operates in compliance with Swiss regulations governing payment services. All transactions are carried out through official, fully traceable banking channels. For more information about our security measures and operational safeguards, please consult the dedicated section of our website or contact our team directly.

For most transactions, yes, a Swiss bank account is required. Please contact our team to verify the specific requirements based on your situation and the countries involved.
Moneyswapp.com also offers a free Swiss virtual IBAN service if you do not have a CHF account and would like to benefit from our competitive exchange rates.

Start saving on your next real estate purchase

Every percentage point on the exchange rate matters. On a €300,000 property purchase, the difference between a typical bank rate and the rate offered by Moneyswapp.com can amount to thousands of Swiss francs — money that stays in your pocket and can be invested in your new home.

Free registration, no obligation, no fixed fees. Just a better exchange rate for your property transaction.

Disclaimer on Tax and Pension/Social Security Content

The information, values, and calculations provided on the website, in the guides, and through the related online calculation tools are for indicative, illustrative, and informational purposes only. Estimates Based on Average Parameters. Taxes, duties, social security contributions, and insurance policy premium amounts (both mandatory and optional) are derived from simulations and estimates based on average and general values. Therefore, they cannot in any way take into account the personal, financial, cantonal, or municipal specificities of individual users, nor the inherently volatile nature of currency markets and exchange rate fluctuations. No Professional Advice. The editorial content and calculation tools made available on the website do not constitute, nor are they intended to replace, tax, social security, legal, or financial advice. The use of the information and data is at the user's sole risk and responsibility. Regulatory Updates and Limitation of Liability. Tax, pension, and social security regulations are subject to frequent changes in both Swiss and European legislation. ELP SA assumes no liability, either express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of the data provided. Important Recommendation: Before making any financial, pension, or tax decision, it is strongly recommended to seek the advice of qualified professionals in the field or to contact the competent authorities directly.