The current interest rate environment

We are currently in a context of expansionary monetary policy with a key interest rate of 0%. The period from 2008 to 2022 was shaped by falling and sometimes even negative key interest rates, while the key interest rate rose as high as 1.75 percent in 2023.

The trend reversal towards higher interest rates began in 2022 when inflation rose following the coronavirus pandemic and due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. In order to curb inflation, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) raised the key interest rate five times until it reached 1.75 percent in June 2023. In 2023, inflation fell to below 2 percent, which corresponds to the price stability range defined by the SNB.听Last year and in the first half of this year, the SNB significantly reduced the key interest rates to 0% due to low inflation.

The key interest rate is the interest rate through which central banks influence the behavior of commercial banks. After all, banks also have to keep borrowing money. The level of the key interest rate therefore has a significant impact on the level of mortgage interest rates.

Interest rate forecast: stable interest rates in the second half of the year, but ongoing uncertainty

Status as per 28 July 2025

In its monetary policy assessment in June, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) lowered its key interest rate from 0.25% to 0%. In contrast, longer-term interest rates have since risen, both for government bonds and for mortgages.

This is because prior to the assessment, the financial markets had anticipated further interest rate cuts in the second half of the year in addition to the reduction to 0% in June. However, once SNB Chairman Martin Schlegel had explained that lowering rates into negative territory would be a much more significant move than the previous reductions above zero, the financial markets鈥 expectations of new interest rate cuts fell considerably. Interest rates for government bonds and mortgages rose slightly as a result.

We assume that the SNB will not reduce its key interest rate any further. It has already reacted to the rather weak economic trend and low inflation in Switzerland with its most recent interest rate cuts. If the SNB keeps interest rates stable, there should be only limited surprises on the financial markets, given that the expectation of any further interest rate cuts had already fallen considerably after the last SNB assessment. Yields on Swiss government bonds and mortgage interest rates should therefore stay within the current range in the coming quarters. Mortgage interest rates linked to SARON are also likely to remain stable.

One uncertainty remains: US trade policy. If, contrary to our expectations, the trade dispute does not stabilize in the coming months, the global economy could slump. This would increase the likelihood of the SNB introducing negative interest rates again and of longer-term Swiss interest rates also falling further.听

Long-term interest rates in percent

Interest rates fluctuate repeatedly over the course of time. This can be due to a variety of factors.听The last interest rate cycle began in 2022 and was marked by the following events:

  • In response to strong inflation following the pandemic and due to Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine, the SNB 鈥 like other central banks 鈥 began raising its key interest rate in 2022. This led to a sharp rise in the yields of bonds.
  • To curb higher levels of inflation, the SNB continued to raise key interest rates in 2023, while bond yields remained high. In the course of 2023, inflation eased significantly. Yields began to fall sharply at the end of 2023 as the markets anticipated future rate cuts.
  • Last year and in the first half of this year, the SNB significantly reduced the key interest rates to 0% due to low inflation.

Select individual interest rates to compare them and check their development by following the respective line with your cursor.听

Interest rate forecast in figures

Rates

Rates

28.07.25

28.07.25

31.12.25

31.12.25

30.06.26

30.06.26

31.12.26

31.12.26

30.06.27

30.06.27

Rates

SARON

28.07.25

-0.04

31.12.25

0.00

30.06.26

0.00

31.12.26

-0.01

30.06.27

0.00

Rates

Swap 3 years

28.07.25

-0.02

31.12.25

0.06

30.06.26

0.06

31.12.26

0.06

30.06.27

0.09

Rates

Swap 5 years

28.07.25

0.16

31.12.25

0.23

30.06.26

0.23

31.12.26

0.22

30.06.27

0.26

Rates

Swap 10 years

28.07.25

0.53

31.12.25

0.61

30.06.26

0.60

31.12.26

0.60

30.06.27

0.65

What鈥檚 next for mortgage interest rates?

Our monthly interest rate forecast tells you about current interest rates and how they are likely to change 鈥 free of charge by email.

How the mortgage interest rate affects your mortgage

The mortgage interest rate is one of the key factors when deciding on a mortgage. It affects the monthly payments as well as the total cost of your mortgage.

Inflation reached over 3 percent at the end of 2022 and in early 2023. Interest rates also rose at the same time, leading to higher mortgage rates. As a rule, the higher the interest rate on bonds, the higher the mortgage interest.

Inflation has now fallen below 1%. This has allowed the SNB to significantly reduce the key interest rate, which is also reflected in much lower mortgage interest rates 听鈥 both at the short end and at the long end of the interest curve.

These economic factors affect mortgage interest rates

Mortgage interest rates in Switzerland depend on a variety of factors. We provide you with an overview.

Despite basic knowledge of these factors, it is advisable to rely on well-founded analyses by financial institutions.

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How interest rates affect your mortgage model

When choosing the right mortgage strategy, there are numerous factors to consider.

The most important aspects include:

The current interest rate situation determines the starting position and the amount of mortgage interest when you take out a fixed-rate mortgage. With a SARON mortgage, on the other hand, you finance your home with a market-oriented interest rate that varies as interest rates change.

Interest rate forecasts help when creating scenarios showing how high your future payments will be. The table below provides an initial idea of which type of mortgage could be suitable for you at current interest rates.

Interest rate level

Interest rate level

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

SARON Mortgages

SARON Mortgages

Interest rate level

High

High

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

suitable under certain conditions

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

not suitable

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

not suitable

SARON Mortgages

suitable

Interest rate level

Decreasing

Decreasing

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

suitable under certain conditions

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

not suitable

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

not suitable

SARON Mortgages

suitable

Interest rate level

Normal

Normal

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

suitable

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

suitable

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

suitable

SARON Mortgages

suitable

Interest rate level

Rising

Rising

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

suitable under certain conditions

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

suitable

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

suitable

SARON Mortgages

suitable under certain conditions

Interest rate level

Low

Low

Fixed-Rate Mortgage short

suitable under certain conditions

Fixed-Rate Mortgage medium

suitable

Fixed-Rate Mortgage long

suitable

SARON Mortgages

suitable

Your personal mortgage profile describes your risk capacity and your risk tolerance. If, for example, you attach great importance to security and a fixed budget, your mortgage profile will be completely different from that of a person who actively follows interest rate developments and has financial reserves. You will probably sleep better with a fixed-rate mortgage because you will know exactly how much interest you will pay for a specific period of time.

Individual influences for borrowers

Factors such as the type of loan and the term of a mortgage can be chosen individually. This will of course affect the amount of mortgage interest, depending on the size and type of mortgage. This also depends heavily on the creditworthiness of the mortgage borrower and the value and location of the property.

The better you understand your own financial possibilities, the higher your chances of getting the best-possible mortgage interest rate.
Your 蜜豆视频 mortgage team

The creditworthiness is based on the financial situation of the potential borrower. Before buying a house, the question arises as to how much equity you can contribute 鈥 as a rule, at least 20 percent of the property value is required.

The ratio between equity and mortgage is called loan-to-value. If you contribute more equity, this can have a positive impact on the interest rate. The better you understand your own financial possibilities, the higher your chances of getting the best-possible mortgage interest rate.

Tips for mortgage borrowers

We now know that mortgage interest rates are influenced by various factors. The question arises as to how best to keep an eye on developments in order to react in time. Here are some tips.

FAQ