Legal aspects: purchase of real estate by persons abroad

Acquisition of real estate in Switzerland by “persons abroad” (non-Swiss nationals and other foreign entities) is restricted by law and may require a permit. However, the permit requirement basically applies only to the purchase of vacation homes and residential property that will not be used directly by the party in question. As such, foreign nationals actually resident in Switzerland may purchase residential or commercial properties.

The abolition of the law in question, viz. the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (also known as the “Lex Koller”), is currently being debated in the Swiss parliament (as of the first quarter of 2009). For now, the acquisition of real estate by persons abroad is still subject to the restrictions described below.