With a valid Swiss residence permit international property buyers can purchase homes in Switzerland. I will guide you through this process.
The acquisition by persons abroad of single-family dwellings or apartment houses, owner-occupied flats and building land intended for constructing such accommodation is subject in principle to authorisation requirements. Exceptions to this are main residences by foreigners with a valid residential permit, secondary residences for cross-border commuters from EC or EFTA Member States and dwellings that may be purchased in exceptional circumstances in conjunction with commercial real estate. All citizens of the EC and EFTA Member States enjoy the same rights as Swiss citizens with regards to purchasing real estate in Switzerland. They can purchase a property without authorization, whether it is for their own use, as a second residence or vacation home, or for speculation.
More stringent restrictions are being applied to non European citizens. You are allowed to purchase a residential property for your main residence, grant-free. However, the purchase of a second residence, a vacation home or a lot of land is subject to authorization.
May 23, 2011, World Radio Switzerland: For non-Swiss thinking about building that dream house or a second summer home on the lake, the federal law on the acquisition of real estate by foreigners, also know as the “Lex Koller,” may be of particular interest. The law requires persons abroad to obtain permits from the appropriate cantonal and federal authorities before buying real estate.
January 6, 2014, swissinfo.ch – Investing in Switzerland: In the most practical terms, investing in Switzerland can mean simply owning a holiday home, starting a business or buying stocks. Here’s what you should know.