Swiss Buyers' Info

Switzerland
France
Austria

Property Types in Switzerland

Are Swiss properties "freehold"?

What are the different types of property foreigners can buy in Switzerland?

What does first home mean?

Can I buy a plot of land and build a chalet in Switzerland?

Can I change a first home into a second home in Switzerland?

What does second home mean?

Can I live in a second home full-time?

Are there many second homes for sale in Saas Fee?

Are there any new build second homes for sale in Saas Fee?

Which flexible rental property should I buy in Saas Fee?

What is a professionally rented / managed property?

What facilities and services do hotel serviced apartments have?

What are the advantages of buying a hotel serviced apartment?

Can foreigners buy a hotel serviced apartment in Switzerland?

How many weeks can I use a hotel serviced apartment?

Property Restrictions for Foreigners

Can a foreigner buy property in Switzerland?

Can a foreigner buy a property in Zurich or Geneva?

What restrictions are there for property buyers at a national level in Switzerland?

What restrictions are there for property buyers at a regional/local level in Switzerland?

Can a foreigner buy a new apartment or build a new chalet in Switzerland?

Can a foreigner buy more than one property in Switzerland?

Are there restrictions on reselling a property in Switzerland?

If a foreigner already owns a residential property, are they permitted to inherit a second property?

Can a foreigner buy a property in Switzerland in the name of a company?

Purchase Process and Costs

What is the purchase process when buying a property in Switzerland?

What are the purchase costs when buying a property in Switzerland?

What construction guarantees are there?

Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Switzerland?

How do I find a Swiss Notary?

Are foreigner purchase permits ever refused?

When I sell my property in Switzerland when will I receive the sales proceeds?

Buying Off-Plan

What is the process of buying an off-plan Swiss property?

What building guarantees are there for new properties in Switzerland?

Mortgages

How much can I borrow from a Swiss bank?

How much will a Swiss bank charge and what are the interest rates?

Can I pay in pounds or dollars when buying a Swiss property?

Buying in the Name of a Company

Can I purchase a property in the name of a company in Switzerland?

Rental Income and Running Costs

How much can I expect to receive in rental income?

How easy is it to rent my Swiss property?

How much tax will I pay in Switzerland on the rental income?

What are the annual running costs of owning a Swiss property?

Do any Swiss properties guarantee a rental income?

Rental Obligations

Do I have to rent my property when I am not using it?

What does rental obligation mean?

Why do most new properties have a rental obligation?

What is the advantage of buying a property which has a rental obligation?

Can I change the rental agency?

Investment and Selling

Is Swiss property a good investment?

What taxes will I need to pay if I resell my Swiss property?

What are the notary fees for selling my Swiss Property?

How does inheritance work on properties in Switzerland?

Can I sell my property in Switzerland at any time?

Annual Property Taxes

What are the annual property taxes?

Staying in Switzerland and Swiss Residency

How long can I stay in Switzerland?

Can I become a resident of Switzerland?

Square Metre Calculations

How are floor areas calculated for Swiss properties?

When I sell my property in Switzerland when will I receive the sales proceeds?

When you sell your Swiss property to a foreigner the notary will only send you the sales proceeds when the sale has been registered in the land Registry. This currently takes several weeks. The notary must also retain 5% of the sales price to pay any outstanding taxes.

Information correct as of 1st January 2024. This may change as rules and regulations change often, so please contact us directly if you have any specific enquiries.

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