Answers · current to September 2026

Who may buy a home in Switzerland.

Lex Koller decides it by passport and permit, not by money. Swiss, EU and EFTA residents and C permit holders buy freely. A non EU resident on a B permit buys the home they live in. Everyone else buys a holiday home with a permit, or nothing.

In short, current to September 2026

  • Swiss citizens, EU and EFTA citizens living in Switzerland, and C permit holders of any nationality buy any home freely, under the federal act on the acquisition of real estate by persons abroad (BewG).
  • A non EU or EFTA national living in Switzerland on a B permit may buy the one home they actually live in, without authorization. Buying to let, or a second home, is another matter.
  • Anyone else counts as a person abroad and needs cantonal authorization for a holiday home, granted only in the communes the canton designates and within an annual quota, 1,500 units a year across the country.
  • A holiday home is capped at 200 square meters of living space and 1,000 of land as a rule, up to 250 and 1,500 where a greater need is shown. A family may own only one, it cannot be let all year, and it cannot be bought through a company.
  • Offices, shops, hotels and other business premises are free for any buyer. Residential property bought to rent out is not.
  • Separately, the Second Homes Act stops any commune where second homes already pass 20% of the housing stock from approving new ones, whoever the buyer is. Sources: BewG, SR 211.412.41; BewV, SR 211.412.411, articles 8 and 10; Zweitwohnungsgesetz, SR 702.

Source: the Patrician.ch board, an original ranking of 100 residence addresses across 48 countries and territories. Tax rates, thresholds and routes are sourced. Cost, safety, schools, sun and beauty are Patrician.ch editorial indices. Figures current to September 2026. Updated . Cite as: Patrician.ch, Lex Koller: who can buy a home in Switzerland, 2026, patrician.ch/answers/lex-koller-who-can-buy-a-home-in-switzerland/, September 2026.

Status by status

What each buyer may buy.

BuyerThe home they live inA holiday homeBusiness premises
Swiss citizen, living anywhereFreeFreeFree
EU or EFTA citizen living in SwitzerlandFreeFreeFree
C permit, any nationalityFreeFreeFree
B permit, non EU or EFTAFree, one home, lived inCantonal authorizationFree
Anyone living abroad, EU citizens includedNot applicable until they moveCantonal authorization, designated communes, quotaFree

Lex Koller (BewG, SR 211.412.41) governs who may buy a home in Switzerland. Swiss and EU or EFTA citizens living in Switzerland, and holders of a C permit, buy freely. A non EU or EFTA national living in Switzerland on a B permit may buy the one home they live in, without authorization. Anyone else needs cantonal authorization, which a holiday home receives only in the communes a canton designates and only within its annual quota.

The Swiss addresses on the board.

Where the rule meets the 10 Swiss addresses. Each page carries the commune rates and the route in.

01
Lugano 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 9 of 10, schools 7 of 10
32%
02
St. Moritz 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 6 of 10
32%
03
Zug 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 8 of 10
20%
04
Gstaad 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 8 of 10
36%
05
Zermatt 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 5 of 10
32%
06
Verbier 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 6 of 10
32%
07
Lucerne 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 8 of 10
32%
08
Montreux 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 10 of 10, schools 8 of 10
36%
09
Zurich 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, safety 10 of 10, schools 9 of 10
32%
10
Geneva 🇨🇭 Switzerlandeffective tax on $1M, lump sum available, safety 9 of 10, schools 9 of 10
36%

A lump sum resident from outside the EU usually lives on a B permit, so the home they live in is open to them: Swiss lump sum tax vs Italy flat tax. The communes around Zurich, by rate: the cheapest municipalities around Zurich.

Sources: BewG, SR 211.412.41; BewV, SR 211.412.411, articles 8 and 10; Zweitwohnungsgesetz, SR 702. The quota is set by the Federal Council under BewG article 11 and divided between the cantons. Current to September 2026. Confirm a purchase with a Swiss notary or counsel before relying on it.

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Questions

The short answers.

Can a foreigner buy property in Switzerland?

Yes, with limits set by passport and permit. EU and EFTA citizens living in Switzerland and C permit holders buy freely, and a non EU resident on a B permit may buy the home they live in.

A buyer living abroad needs cantonal authorization for a holiday home, granted only in designated communes and within an annual quota of 1,500 units nationwide.

Can an American buy a house in Switzerland?

Once living in Switzerland on a B permit, yes, the one home they live in. From abroad, only a holiday home with cantonal authorization.

With a C permit the limits fall away entirely. Business premises are open at any time.

Can an EU citizen buy property in Switzerland?

Yes, freely, once living in Switzerland.

An EU citizen living abroad counts as a person abroad and needs authorization for a holiday home like anyone else.

How big can a holiday home bought by a foreigner be?

200 square meters of living space and 1,000 of land, as a rule.

Up to 250 and 1,500 are granted where a greater need is shown. One holiday home per family, spouse and children under 18 included.

Can I buy a Swiss holiday home through a company?

No. A holiday home must be bought in the buyer's own name.

Business premises can be bought through a company without authorization. Residential property held to rent out needs authorization, which is not granted for investment.

What is the Lex Weber?

The Second Homes Act, which stops any commune where second homes already pass 20% of the housing stock from approving new ones.

It applies to Swiss and foreign buyers alike, so in many resorts a foreign buyer's holiday home is an existing one.

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The general case, ranked: Where should high earners live in 2026 · Best country to live in if you are rich · Best countries for high earners after tax · Europe · United States · Americans moving abroad · Tax calculator · Keep Index 2026

Tax figures use a simplified marginal model with indicative 2026 brackets for a non-US single filer, ignore social contributions, most deductions, wealth taxes, and treaties, and are not advice. Residence rules change often. Verify before acting.

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