The best notaries in Switzerland
The Swiss Federation of Notaries does provide a directory of Swiss notaries (featuring dynamic filters to sort by town and language), but due to its obligation to remain impartial, the association does not go so far as to compare the professionals listed.
Whether you wish to finalise the purchase of a second home, draw up your will, or set up a branch office in Switzerland, using a notary ensures the authenticity of the legal documents drawn up. However, with several hundred notaries in each Swiss canton, it is not always easy to know which professional to turn to in order to get the service you need.
To help you make the right choice, we have therefore selected the best notary practices in each Swiss city (based on reviews left by their clients on Google).
💡 How do you choose the right Swiss notary?
First and foremost, it is essential to choose a notary based on geographical criteria. And with good reason: whilst all Swiss notaries are qualified to handle legal documents relating to your business, not all of them are qualified to handle property transactions…
When carrying out a property transaction in Switzerland, it is essential that you ensure you choose a notary practising in the same canton as the property in question.
As well as customer reviews posted online and recommendations from friends and family, you should also pay close attention to the fees charged.
Notary fees include:
- Fees, as set out in the official regulations on notaries’ remuneration;
- Fees, which are set at the discretion of each notary’s office.
When comparing two solicitors offering the same range of services, you should therefore focus on the fees quoted by each.
⭐ Useful to know: The Geneva Chamber of Notaries provides a simulator to help you estimate the property costs associated with a deed of sale, a preliminary sale and purchase agreement, or the creation or increase of a mortgage.
The best notaries in Basel
🔸 Kellerhals Carrard
A true ‘one-stop shop’, Kellerhals Carrard boasts an extensive network across Switzerland and internationally. With offices in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Sion and Zurich, the firm’s 450 staff members cover no fewer than 29 different specialist areas and are able to assist you in each of the national languages.
Website: https://kellerhals-carrard.ch/fr
Address: 35 Henric Petri-Strasse, Basel
Email: info@kellerhals-carrard.ch
Telephone: +41 58 200 30 00
🔸 Nigon
Nigon is a law and notary practice with around twenty staff members. It supports both private and business clients, offering micro-enterprises and SMEs advisory services alongside operational support (commercial and legal).
Website: https://www.nigon.ch/fr/accueil/
Address: 18 Marktplatz, Basel
Email: info@nigon.ch
Telephone: +41 61 564 64 64
🔸 Waldmann Petitpierre
Founded in 1953 by Jürg Heinz Faesch and Werner Blumer, Waldmann Petitpierre now employs around ten notaries and solicitors. As specialists in legal matters, the firm can assist you with all your notarial deeds, from property purchases and business set-ups to wills and estate planning.
Website: https://www.lawyers.ch/home-en.html
Address: 1 Gerbergasse (Marktplatz), Basel
Email: info@lawyers.ch
Telephone: +41 61 269 50 85
The best notaries in Bern
🔸 Martin Kindler
A notary and solicitor, Mr Martin Kindler specialises in contract law, property law, inheritance law, company and business names law, as well as the law relating to individuals, associations and foundations. Based in the centre of Bern, he can assist you in French, German or English.
Website: https://www.notariatkindler.ch/fr/bienvenue/
Address: 8 Casinoplatz, Bern
Email: kindler@notariatkindler.ch
Telephone: +41 31 326 38 30
🔸 Häusermann + Partner
As the largest law firm in the canton of Bern, Häusermann + Partner provides legal and notarial advice at both regional and national levels. Specialising in business and corporate law, property law and inheritance law, its 68 staff also handle certain cases in neighbouring French-speaking Switzerland.
Website: https://haeusermann.ch/fr/
Address: 5/7 Schwanengasse, Bern
Email: info@haeusermann.ch
Telephone: +41 31 326 51 51
Choosing the right solicitor is not a decision to be taken lightly. Take the time to research several firms before making your choice, and don’t hesitate to speak to these professionals in person, or even visit them at their offices, if the opportunity arises.
Finally, for international transactions, and to avoid the bill being too steep, consider using the b-sharpe currency exchange service to pay your notary fees in the currency of your choice.
