G Permit vs B Permit: what impact on your property purchase?
Contents
Do you work in Switzerland and are you thinking of buying a property in the Pays de Gex? The type of licence you hold – G licence (cross-border commuter) or B licence (resident) – has a direct impact on your conditions of access to real estate credit, your borrowing capacity, and the financing options available to you. There are significant differences between loans in euros, loans in Swiss francs (CHF), French or Swiss banks, waiting periods and guarantees requested. Here is a practical guide to understand how your status concretely influences your real estate project in the Pays de Gex.
G permit and B permit : reminder of the differences
The G Permit (cross-border commuter)
The G Permit is issued to people living abroad (France, Germany, Italy, Austria) but working in Switzerland on a regular basis (daily or at least once a week).
Features:
Features:
- Validity: 5 years renewable
- Obligation to return to your home abroad at least once a week
- Tax residency: France (for French cross-border workers)
- Status: considered as a "person domiciled abroad" by the Swiss authorities
The B Permit (EU/EFTA resident)
The B permit is granted to EU/EFTA nationals who move to Switzerland with an employment contract of more than 12 months.
Features:
Features:
- Validity: 5 years renewable
- Residence in Switzerland is mandatory (main residence)
- Tax residency: Switzerland
- Status: Swiss resident in their own right
Impact on access to real estate credit
With a G licence: waiting times and conditions
Banks, whether French or Swiss, impose minimum seniority periods on G permit holders before granting a real estate loan:
Swiss banks (for personal or real estate loans):
French banks (for real estate loans in France):
Additional conditions for G Licence :
Swiss banks (for personal or real estate loans):
- Minimum period: 2 to 3 years of G permit depending on the establishment
- Some organizations (Creditum, Milenia, Mutuo): minimum 2 years of G Permit
- Traditional banks: often at least 3 years of activity in Switzerland
French banks (for real estate loans in France):
- Minimum period varies depending on the establishment: 12 to 36 months of activity
- Canton of Geneva: generally 12 months of seniority is sufficient
- Other cantons: 36 months sometimes required
Additional conditions for G Licence :
- Valid employment contract mandatory
- Bank account in Switzerland required for Swiss loans
- Proof of address in France (electricity/telephone bill)
- Last 3 Swiss payslips
- Swiss AND French bank statements (last 3 months)
With a B licence: easy and quick access
B licence holders benefit from much more favourable conditions :
Access to credit :
Borrowing capacity :
Access to credit :
- From 6 months to 1 year after the start of validity of the B Licence
- Similar treatment to Swiss citizens by most banks
- Fewer supporting documents requested
Borrowing capacity :
- Generally higher than that of a G Permit with equivalent income
- Perceived greater stability (residence in Switzerland)
Loan in euros vs loan in CHF : the differences depending on your licence
The mortgage in euros (French bank)
Available at : G Permit AND B License (for purchase in France)
Advantages :
Cons :
Advantages :
- No exchange rate risk (borrowing and repayment in euros)
- Protection of French laws (Scrivener, Neiertz)
- 10-day legal reflection period
- Eligibility for the PTZ (Zero Interest Loan) subject to means testing
- Creditor insurance in euros (delegation possible)
Cons :
- Rates often slightly higher than Swiss rates
- Borrowing capacity calculated after conversion CHF→EUR (may reduce amount)
The CHF currency loan (French or Swiss bank)
Available at : G Licence AND B Licence
Principle : you borrow in Swiss francs to buy a property in France. The borrowed capital is converted into euros when the funds are released, but your debt and monthly payments are in CHF.
Advantages :
Major disadvantages :
General recommendation : relevant CHF loan IF:
Principle : you borrow in Swiss francs to buy a property in France. The borrowed capital is converted into euros when the funds are released, but your debt and monthly payments are in CHF.
Advantages :
- Generally lower interest rates (1.5% to 3% vs. 3% to 4.5% in euros in 2024-2025)
- Alignment of borrowing currency / income currency (if salary in CHF)
- Potentially higher borrowed amount
- Neutralization of foreign exchange risk IF you remain paid in CHF for the entire term
Major disadvantages :
- EUR/CHF currency risk : if the CHF strengthens, your debt increases in euro value
- Loss of job in Switzerland = reimbursement in CHF becomes problematic (income in EUR)
- Early resale of the property: foreign exchange transaction required (gain or loss depending on the price)
- Creditor insurance in CHF: difficult or even impossible delegation
- Some banks (Caisse d'Epargne, CIC, Crédit Mutuel, Société Générale) refuse to delegate insurance on CHF loans
General recommendation : relevant CHF loan IF:
- Stable, long-term contract in Switzerland (CDI)
- Certainty of remaining paid in CHF throughout the term of the loan
- Short/medium term repayment (10-15 years max)
- Acceptance of foreign exchange risk
Specificity G license: domicile in France mandatory
G permit holders, residing in France, necessarily borrow to buy in France. Swiss banks can lend to them, but for a property located in France, no purchase in Switzerland is possible with Permis G alone - Lex Koller applies.
Specificity B permit: purchase in France OR Switzerland
B permit holders residing in Switzerland may:
- Buying in Switzerland (main residence): access to Swiss mortgage credit made easy
- Buying in France (rental investment or second home): French or Swiss loan possible
Borrowing capacity and down payment : concrete differences
Calculating borrowing capacity
Maximum debt ratio : 33% of net income (French standard)
For G licence :
For B Permit (Swiss resident):
For G licence :
- Salary in CHF converted to EUR at the daily rate
- EUR/CHF volatility taken into account by banks (prudential coefficient applied)
- Example: salary CHF 6,000 net = ~5,400-5,700 EUR depending on the rate
- Monthly capacity: 5,500 EUR × 33% = ~1,815 EUR/month
- Total capacity over 25 years: ~€390,000 (excluding deposit)
For B Permit (Swiss resident):
- Salary in CHF taken directly
- If Swiss loan for property in Switzerland: capacity often calculated on the basis of CHF
- Less precautionary factor applied
Personal contribution required
French banks (G and B permits):
Swiss banks (mortgage loan for property in Switzerland):
- Classic minimum contribution: 10% of the price (or even 0% for excellent applications)
- Cross-border workers: often 10-20% requested (profile considered riskier if G license)
Swiss banks (mortgage loan for property in Switzerland):
- Minimum deposit: 20% of the price (Swiss standard)
- Of which at least 10% in equity (savings, BVG capital under certain conditions)
Guarantees and insurance : what is changing
Bank guarantees
Mortgage : classic guarantee for real estate loans
Surety bond : a less expensive alternative
- Fees: 1-3% of the capital depending on the property (new vs. old)
- Release at the end of the loan: 1-2% of the outstanding capital
Surety bond : a less expensive alternative
- Guarantee companies (Crédit Logement, CAMCA, etc.)
- Low Fees vs. Mortgage
- Accessible to G and B Permits
Creditor insurance
For a loan in euros :
For a CHF loan :
Impact of G licence vs B licence :
- Delegation of insurance possible and recommended
- Potential savings: 30-50% vs. bank group contract
- Coverage: death, PTIA, IPT, ITT
For a CHF loan :
- Major problem : few insurance delegations cover CHF loans
- Banks (CE, CIC, CM, SG) often impose their CHF group contract
- Other banks: delegation possible if equivalent guarantees
Impact of G licence vs B licence :
- Little direct difference in insurance
- Rate depends mainly on: age, state of health, profession, amount/duration of the loan
Banking institutions adapted to cross-border workers
French specialized cross-border banks
- Crédit Agricole (Alsace-Vosges, Franche-Comté, Pays de Savoie): EUR and CHF loans
- Caisse d'Epargne : EUR and CHF loans
- CIC : EUR and CHF loans
- Crédit Mutuel : EUR and CHF loans
- Societe Generale : EUR and CHF loans
These banks are familiar with the specificities of the border and regularly deal with G permit files.
Swiss credit institutions accepting G Permit
Creditum : personal loans, G license minimum 2 years
Milenia : border loans, G license minimum 3-4 years depending on sources
Mutuo SA (Basel): cross-border loans, G licence minimum 3 years
Bank-Now: cross-border loans
Cembra Money Bank : cross-border loans
The importance of the specialized broker
For a G Permit file, it is strongly recommended to go through a broker specialising in cross-border loans :
- Knowledge of banks accepting G Permit
- Negotiation of rates and conditions
- Optimal constitution of the file
- Time saving (avoids multiple rejections)
- Often free (remuneration by the bank)
Practical cases according to your situation
Case 1: G licence, 2-year fixed-term contract, first purchase
Profile : CERN post-doctoral fellow, salary 4,500 CHF net, fixed-term contract for 2 years, no contribution
Recommendation :
Recommendation :
- Wait for a minimum of 12-24 months of seniority
- Prefer to rent in the meantime (short fixed-term contract)
- If purchase: max budget 250-300 k€, EUR loan, French bank
- Deposit: save 20-30 k€ minimum
Case 2: G permit, permanent contract, family, contribution 80 k€
Profile : engineer, salary 7,500 CHF net, permanent contract for 4 years, wife civil servant France, 2 children
Recommendation :
Recommendation :
- Excellent borrowing conditions (permanent contract, seniority, dual income)
- Budget: 550-650 k€ possible
- Option 1 : EUR loan (security, no currency risk)
- Option 2 : CHF loan (lower rate, but risk if you lose your job in Switzerland)
- Choice according to risk appetite
Case 3: B permit, Geneva resident, purchase in France (investment)
Profile : executive, salary 9,000 CHF net, resident of Geneva for 3 years
Recommendation :
Recommendation :
- Can buy in France (rental investment) OR in Switzerland (main residence)
- For purchase in France: French loan EUR or CHF depending on strategy
- High borrowing capacity (B status valued by banks)
- Budget: 700-900 k€ accessible
Practical advice to optimize your file
Before looking for a property
- Consolidate your professional situation : wait for a minimum of 12-24 months of seniority if you have a recent G permit
- Make a deposit : minimum 10-20% of the target price
- Clean up your accounts : no overdrafts, visible regular savings
- Consult a specialized broker : borrowing capacity simulation
During the research
- Define your realistic budget : include notary fees (7-8%), guarantee fees, application fees
- Favour well-served municipalities : proximity to CERN/Geneva enhances the value of the property
- Anticipate resale : even if you think you'll stay 20 years, life changes
At the time of borrowing
- Compare EUR vs CHF : Simulate both with your broker
- Read ALL : Terms & Conditions, Insurance, Warranties
- Negotiate : rates, application fees, creditor insurance
- Secure your job : trial period ended before signing the deed
Are you a cross-border worker and thinking of buying in the Pays de Gex? Contact a local real estate professional specialising in supporting cross-border workers to benefit from advice adapted to your status (G or B licence) and to be put in touch with brokers who know the specificities of your case.
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Posted on 01/04/2026 by
Antoine Lanfranchi
Votre expert immobilier dans le Pays de Gex
Je mets mon expertise du marché immobilier du Pays de Gex au service de vos projets, avec une approche rigoureuse, personnalisée et orientée résultats. Ma parfaite connaissance du territoire et de ses spécificités me permet de vous accompagner efficacement à chaque étape, de l’estimation à la concrétisation de votre projet.
J’interviens sur :
Mon objectif est de vous offrir un accompagnement transparent et efficace, en valorisant votre bien et en sécurisant chaque étape. En me confiant votre recherche ou la vente de votre bien, vous bénéficiez d’un réseau solide, d’une expertise éprouvée et d’une connaissance fine du marché local.
Je mets mon expertise du marché immobilier du Pays de Gex au service de vos projets, avec une approche rigoureuse, personnalisée et orientée résultats. Ma parfaite connaissance du territoire et de ses spécificités me permet de vous accompagner efficacement à chaque étape, de l’estimation à la concrétisation de votre projet.
J’interviens sur :
- la transaction (achat et vente de biens immobiliers)
- les programmes neufs
- le conseil juridique immobilier
Mon objectif est de vous offrir un accompagnement transparent et efficace, en valorisant votre bien et en sécurisant chaque étape. En me confiant votre recherche ou la vente de votre bien, vous bénéficiez d’un réseau solide, d’une expertise éprouvée et d’une connaissance fine du marché local.
