Reference Rate March 2026: BWO Publication â What It Means for Your Rent
Every three months, the Federal Office for Housing (BWO) publishes the current mortgage reference interest rate. On 2 March 2026, it was published: the rate remains unchanged at 1.25%. For Swiss tenants, this means: existing reduction claims remain valid â the reference rate determines whether you are entitled to a rent reduction.
What Is the Reference Rate?
The mortgage reference interest rate is based on the average of domestic mortgage rates. It is published quarterly by the BWO and is the key figure for calculating permissible rent adjustments in Switzerland.
Important: The rate has been uniform across Switzerland since September 2008 â before that, cantonal mortgage rates applied.
Current Status: 1.25% Since September 2025
The current reference rate is 1.25%, effective since 2 September 2025. It was last reduced from 1.50% (March 2025). Here is the recent history:
| Date | Reference Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 1.25% | â -0.25% |
| March 2025 | 1.50% | â -0.25% |
| December 2023 | 1.75% | â +0.25% |
| June 2023 | 1.50% | â +0.25% |
| March 2020 | 1.25% | â -0.25% |
Update 02.03.2026: Reference Rate Stays at 1.25%
Result: The BWO published the reference rate on 2 March 2026 â it remains unchanged at 1.25%. This means: all existing reduction claims remain valid. If your lease is based on a higher rate, you still have the right to a rent reduction.
The next publication is expected in early June 2026. A further reduction to 1.00% cannot be ruled out, as the SNB lowered the key interest rate several times in 2025.
Important: Don't wait for a possible further reduction. Every month without a reduction request is money you're giving away. Check your lease now: Start free analysis â
What Should You Do Now?
- Check your contract: What reference rate applied when you signed or at the last adjustment?
- Don't wait for your landlord: They are not obliged to reduce the rent on their own. You must submit a formal reduction request.
- Mind the deadlines: The sooner you act, the more you save. The reduction applies from the next termination date.
- Set up a notification: Register for free at mietcheck-app.ch to be notified when the new rate is published. â Register for free
Calculation: How Much Can You Save?
The rent reduction formula is based on Art. 13 VMWG:
Per 0.25% reduction in the reference rate: 2.91% reduction of net rent
Additionally: 40% of CPI change (inflation adjustment) + 0.5% p.a. general cost increase
Example: Lease with reference rate 1.75% â current 1.25% = 2 steps of 0.25%
For a net rent of CHF 1,500: approx. CHF 85/month reduction = CHF 1,020/year savings
Conclusion: Acting Now Pays Off
The reference rate stays at 1.25% â but most tenants already have a right to a rent reduction that they haven't yet claimed. Don't wait for the next publication in June 2026 â check your lease now. More details in our detailed article.
With mietcheck-app.ch, it takes less than 3 minutes: upload your lease, get a free AI analysis and create a legally sound reduction request â from CHF 9.90.
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