Vote: Swiss finally accept the abolition of rental value

Swiss 2025 Vote Results: 59%, Citizens Vote to End Rental Value. A major fiscal shift, marked by a strong Röstigraben.

A dramatic turn of events took place in Switzerland this Sunday: after several popular defeats, the last of which was in 2012, citizens finally accepted the abolition of rental value, the fictitious tax paid by house and apartment owners. According to provisional results, nearly 591,000 voters voted in favor of the project, which was supported by Parliament. A majority of cantons was also required: with 12.5 out of 26 cantonal votes, the threshold has already been crossed.

A Divided Switzerland: The Return of the Röstigraben

Although a majority emerged at the national level, the results map highlights a deep linguistic and cultural divide.

All the French-speaking cantons said no. In the canton of Vaud, the discharge reaches approximately 64%, at Geneva near 66%, and at Neuchâtel As in the Jura, the no vote reached 61%. The same scenario in Valais (60.3%) and in Fribourg, where the refusal was narrow (50.8%). In German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, on the other hand, the object largely passed, with the exception of Basel-Stadt. The record for yes votes goes to Appenzell Innerrhoden, where 75.1% of voters supported the abolition of this tax.

A reform after seven years of debate

The bill ends the taxation of rental value, i.e., the theoretical income a property owner could earn by renting out their property. This abolition applies to both primary and secondary residences.

In return, mortgage interest and maintenance costs will only be partially deductible, resulting in tax losses for several cantons, particularly those with a high proportion of second homes. To compensate, Parliament has provided for the possibility of introducing a special tax on second homes.

Participation and issues

The participation rate is 46.4%.

The abolition of rental value, which has been demanded for decades by homeowners' associations, marks a major fiscal turning point. It will redistribute the burden between taxpayers and cantons, while accentuating regional contrasts in the Swiss political landscape.