In Switzerland, the right to purchase property depends primarily on your nationality, your residence permit, and the intended use of the property (primary residence, holiday home, or investment property).
The C Permit (Settlement Permit) allows foreign nationals to live permanently in Switzerland. It is generally granted after several years of legal residence, provided that certain integration requirements are met, including compliance with Swiss law and, in some cases, language proficiency.
C Permit holders enjoy the same property ownership rights as Swiss citizens and are generally not subject to the restrictions of the Swiss Lex Koller Act.
They can:
✔ Purchase a primary residence
✔ Purchase a holiday home (subject to the same regulations that apply to Swiss citizens)
✔ Buy an apartment or house
✔ Purchase an investment property
✔ Buy building land
✔ Develop a real estate development project
✔ Purchase commercial or mixed-use property
Although the C Permit is typically issued for five years and renewed periodically, it grants permanent settlement rightsin Switzerland. Unlike the B Permit, which is a renewable residence permit, the C Permit provides long-term residence status and almost identical property ownership rights to those of Swiss citizens.
✔ Can Buy Property: Yes
✔ Primary Residence: Yes
✔ Holiday Home: Yes (under the same conditions as Swiss citizens)
✔ Investment Property: Yes
✔ Building Land: Yes
✔ Subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act: No
The B Permit (EU/EFTA) is a residence permit issued to citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) who move to Switzerland to live or work. It is generally valid for five years, provided the conditions of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons are met.
B Permit holders from the EU/EFTA enjoy property ownership rights that are very similar to those of Swiss citizens, provided they are officially resident in Switzerland.
They may:
✔ Purchase a primary residence
✔ Buy an apartment or house
✔ Purchase building land
✔ Buy an investment property
✔ Purchase commercial or mixed-use property
✔ Undertake a real estate development project
In general, EU/EFTA B Permit holders who are domiciled in Switzerland are not subject to the restrictions of the Swiss Lex Koller Act.
The B Permit (EU/EFTA) and the C Permit provide very similar property ownership rights. The main difference lies in the immigration status:
For most property purchases, this distinction has little practical impact, provided the B Permit holder is officially domiciled in Switzerland.
Many expatriates mistakenly believe they must wait until they obtain a C Permit before buying property. In reality, EU/EFTA nationals with a B Permit can generally purchase property under the same conditions as Swiss citizens, as long as they reside in Switzerland.
✔ Can Buy Property: Yes
✔ Primary Residence: Yes
✔ Holiday Home: Yes (under the same conditions as Swiss residents)
✔ Investment Property: Yes
✔ Building Land: Yes
✔ Subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act: No (provided the permit holder is domiciled in Switzerland)
The B Permit (Non-EU/EFTA) is a residence permit issued to nationals of countries outside the European Union (EU)and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) who are authorised to live in Switzerland for professional, family, or business reasons.
In general, Non-EU/EFTA B Permit holders who are officially domiciled in Switzerland may purchase a property to use as their primary residence without requiring authorization under the Swiss Lex Koller Act.
However, significant restrictions apply to certain types of property acquisitions.
✔ Purchase a primary residence for their own use
✔ Buy an apartment or house as their primary residence
✔ Renovate or extend their primary residence, subject to the required planning and building permits
✖ Purchase a holiday home for private use
✖ Purchase property solely as an investment, except in specific situations permitted by Swiss law
✖ Freely acquire certain types of property that remain subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act
To purchase property in Switzerland as a Non-EU/EFTA B Permit holder, you must generally:
✔ Hold a valid B Permit and be officially domiciled in Switzerland.
✔ Purchase the property as your primary residence.
✔ Comply with the restrictions that apply to investment properties, holiday homes, and other acquisitions covered by the Swiss Lex Koller Act.
Because Swiss property regulations can vary depending on your individual circumstances, some situations require a case-by-case legal assessment.
✔ Can Buy Property: Yes, subject to certain conditions
✔ Primary Residence: Yes
✖ Holiday Home: Generally not permitted
✖ Investment Property: Generally not permitted
✔ Building Land: Yes, provided it is intended for the construction of your primary residence
✔ Subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act: No for a primary residence, although certain acquisitions remain subject to the Act
The L Permit is a short-term residence permit issued to individuals who come to Switzerland for temporary employment. It is generally granted for fixed-term employment contracts and is often the first step before obtaining a B Permit.
The answer depends primarily on your nationality and residency status.
For EU/EFTA nationals legally residing in Switzerland, purchasing property may be possible in certain circumstances, particularly if the property will be used as their primary residence.
For Non-EU/EFTA nationals, the rules are much more restrictive. An L Permit does not generally grant the right to purchase residential property in Switzerland, except in specific situations provided for under Swiss law.
As every situation is different, each case should be assessed individually before proceeding with a property purchase.
Because the L Permit is, by nature, a temporary residence permit, it may also affect your mortgage options. Some Swiss banks require additional guarantees or assess applications more carefully before approving a mortgage.
✔ Can Buy Property: Yes, in certain cases
✔ Primary Residence: Yes (mainly for EU/EFTA nationals legally residing in Switzerland)
✖ Holiday Home: Generally not permitted
✖ Investment Property: Generally not permitted
✖ Building Land: Generally not permitted (except in specific cases relating to an authorised primary residence)
✔ Subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act: Yes, depending on the buyer’s nationality and individual circumstances
The G Permit is issued to cross-border commuters who work in Switzerland while maintaining their primary residence in a neighbouring country, such as France, Italy, Germany, or Austria. G Permit holders generally return to their home abroad at least once a week.
Yes, but the possibilities are limited.
Unlike Swiss residents or C Permit holders, G Permit holders are not considered domiciled in Switzerland. As a result, they remain subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act, which regulates property purchases by individuals domiciled abroad.
In practice, a G Permit holder may purchase a property for personal use if it is located close to their place of work and all legal requirements are met. However, purchasing property for investment purposes or as an income-producing asset is generally not permitted.
Many cross-border commuters assume that working in Switzerland gives them the same property rights as Swiss residents. This is not the case.
A G Permit allows you to work in Switzerland, but it does not change your tax residence or your legal status under the Swiss Lex Koller Act.
Before signing a purchase agreement, it is essential to confirm that your property purchase complies with the applicable Swiss regulations.
✔ Can Buy Property: Yes, in certain cases
✖ Primary Residence in Switzerland: No (your primary residence must remain abroad)
✔ Property Near Your Place of Work: Yes, subject to certain conditions
✖ Holiday Home: Generally not permitted
✖ Investment Property: Generally not permitted
✖ Building Land: Generally not permitted
✖ Subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act: Yes
A non-resident is a person who is not domiciled in Switzerland. This may include a foreign national living abroad, an international investor, or a Swiss citizen residing outside Switzerland who wishes to purchase property in Switzerland.
Unlike Swiss residents, non-residents do not have unrestricted access to the Swiss residential property market. Their right to purchase property is governed by the Swiss Lex Koller Act, which regulates real estate acquisitions by persons domiciled abroad.
Yes, but only in the situations permitted under Swiss law.
In most cases, non-residents cannot freely purchase property intended as a permanent residence or for investment purposes.
However, they may be allowed to purchase a holiday home in certain designated tourist resorts, provided they obtain the necessary authorisations and comply with all legal requirements.
Property purchases by non-residents are restricted to specific tourist municipalities authorised by the cantons.
Some of the best-known destinations include:
Not every tourist destination is open to foreign buyers. In addition, each canton applies its own regulations and, in many cases, an annual quota of purchase authorisations.
Authorisation is generally granted for the purchase of a holiday home intended for personal use.
The main rules are:
✔ The living area is generally limited to 200 m², although exceptions may apply depending on the project.
✔ The land size is generally limited to 1,000 m², with certain situations allowing up to 1,500 m².
✔ The property must be located in an authorised tourist municipality.
✔ Several cantons operate an annual quota system for purchase authorisations.
✖ The property cannot be purchased as a traditional investment property.
✔ Can Buy Property: Yes, subject to certain conditions
✔ Holiday Home: Yes, in certain authorised tourist municipalities
✔ Holiday Apartment or Chalet: Yes, subject to authorisation
✖ Primary Residence: Not permitted
✖ Investment Property: Generally not permitted
✖ Free Access to the Swiss Property Market: No
✔ Subject to the Swiss Lex Koller Act: Yes
Every property purchase is unique.
Before reserving a property in Switzerland, it is essential to verify whether the municipality is open to non-resident buyers, whether purchase authorisations are still available, and whether the property complies with the requirements of the Swiss Lex Koller Act.
Seeking professional advice before making an offer can save time, avoid unnecessary costs, and ensure that your purchase complies with Swiss regulations.
The Lex Koller is a Swiss federal law that regulates the acquisition of residential property by individuals who are not domiciled in Switzerland. Its primary objective is to protect the Swiss residential property market by limiting certain purchases by foreign buyers.
However, the law does not apply to every buyer or every type of property. The applicable rules depend on factors such as your residence status, nationality, residence permit and the intended use of the property.
Understanding the Lex Koller is one of the most important steps for any foreign buyer considering purchasing property in Switzerland.
No. Unlike in some countries, purchasing real estate in Switzerland does not automatically grant you a residence permit or the right to live in Switzerland.
Swiss residence permits are issued under immigration law and depend on factors such as your nationality, employment, family situation and other legal requirements.
Buying property should therefore be viewed as a real estate investment rather than a pathway to Swiss residency.
Yes. In general, the rules governing commercial real estate are more flexible than those for residential property. In many cases, foreign investors can purchase offices, retail premises, industrial buildings or certain commercial properties without being subject to the same restrictions that apply to residential real estate.
However, if a property includes a significant residential component or has a mixed-use purpose, additional legal considerations may apply and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Every project is different, so obtaining professional advice before purchasing commercial property is strongly recommended.
Yes. Many Swiss banks offer mortgages to expatriates, provided they meet the lender’s financing criteria. Banks will typically assess your income, employment stability, available down payment, residence status and the type of property you intend to purchase.
The financing conditions may vary depending on your nationality, residence permit, employer and financial profile.
Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval before starting your property search is often the best way to understand your purchasing budget and strengthen your position when making an offer.
Property purchase costs vary from one canton to another. They generally include property transfer taxes, notary fees, land registry fees and various administrative charges.
In many cantons, buyers should budget approximately 3% to 5% of the purchase price, although the exact amount depends on the property’s location and the applicable cantonal regulations.
In addition to the purchase costs, buyers should also consider financing expenses, potential renovation costs, annual property taxes and ongoing ownership expenses.
No. Unlike in some countries, purchasing real estate in Switzerland does not automatically grant you a residence permit or the right to live in Switzerland.
Swiss residence permits are issued under immigration law and depend on factors such as your nationality, employment, family situation and other legal requirements.
Buying property should therefore be viewed as a real estate investment rather than a pathway to Swiss residency.
Every situation is different. Contact our team for tailored guidance on Swiss property regulations, financing and investment opportunities.
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