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The Swiss property market attracts many international investors due to its stability, quality of life and breathtaking landscapes. Central Switzerland in particular, including the canton of Lucerne, is known for its attractive location and high standard of living. However, foreign investors are often faced with the question of whether and how they can acquire property in Switzerland. In this article, you will find out which requirements and rules apply to buying property as a foreign person.
In principle, foreign persons are allowed to buy property in Switzerland under certain conditions. A distinction is made here between different categories of buyers:
As a citizen of an EU/EFTA country and holder of a Swiss residence permit (B, C, L), you can purchase a property for your own use. This regulation applies regardless of whether you wish to purchase a property in Central Switzerland, such as in the canton of Lucerne, or in another region of Switzerland. There are no specific restrictions on the size or value of the property as long as it is your main residence.
Third-country nationals with a residence permit (B or C) can also purchase property in Switzerland for their own use. The regulations are similar to those for EU/EFTA citizens, but there may be cantonal differences. In the canton of Lucerne, these purchases are possible as long as the property remains your main residence.
Stricter regulations apply to persons who are not resident in Switzerland. The purchase of real estate by non-Swiss nationals who are not resident in Switzerland is generally only possible for holiday homes or properties used for tourism, and this is also subject to strict conditions. The canton of Lucerne, like other cantons, has a limited number of holiday homes that may be sold to foreigners.
In principle, foreign persons are allowed to buy property in Switzerland under certain conditions. A distinction is made here between different categories of buyers:
For Swiss residents, there are generally no restrictions as long as the property is used for residential purposes. The cantons of Lucerne and Zug in central Switzerland offer a wide range of properties, from modern flats in urban areas to idyllic houses in rural surroundings.
Foreigners without Swiss residency can purchase holiday homes in certain cantons, including Lucerne. However, these purchases are subject to an upper limit per year, which is set by the cantons. These are often attractive properties in tourist areas, such as Lake Lucerne.
The purchase of real estate for purely investment purposes, such as rental flats or commercial property, is not permitted in most cases for foreign nationals who are not resident in Switzerland. Foreign nationals resident in Switzerland are also subject to strict conditions.
The Lex Koller is the informal name of a federal law that regulates the acquisition of real estate by non-Swiss citizens. It was introduced to prevent too many properties in Switzerland from passing into foreign ownership. The regulations are named after Arnold Koller, who was a member of the Federal Council during the last major revision of the law in 1997.
Foreign nationals who are not resident in Switzerland may only acquire real estate under strict conditions, as already mentioned, usually only in the form of holiday homes within set quotas. For foreign nationals resident in Switzerland, the law prohibits the acquisition of residential property for rental purposes. This also applies to companies where the economic power of disposal lies in the hands of foreign persons. Only commercial investment properties or production and office locations are exempt from these provisions. The Lex Koller applies throughout Switzerland and only varies in certain cantonal interpretations of the acquisition preconditions.
Buying a property in Switzerland as a foreign person is possible, but depends heavily on your residence status and the type of property. There are few restrictions for Swiss residents, while stricter rules apply to non-resident foreign investors. Central Switzerland offers a wide range of opportunities, from urban properties in Lucerne and Zug to holiday properties in the mountains. However, it is important to be aware of local regulations and market conditions in order to make the best purchase.
