The Federal Council plans to tighten the rules on property purchases by foreign buyers
The Federal Council plans to impose stricter restrictions on the purchase of land by foreign nationals and has launched a consultation process on the matter. Among other things, it intends to make the purchase of residential property by third-country nationals subject to authorisation and to make it more difficult to buy holiday homes.
On 15 April, the Federal Council launched a consultation on the revision of the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (BewG). According to a press release, the consultation will run until 15 July. The aim is to further restrict access to the Swiss property market.
The Federal Council justifies the tightening of the so-called Lex Koller, among other things, with the strained situation on the housing market. Consequently, third-country nationals – that is, nationals of countries outside the EU and EFTA – will in future require authorisation to purchase primary residences in Switzerland. If they move away, they will be required to sell their property within two years.
Stricter rules are also planned for the purchase of commercial property. Whilst purchases for personal use will still be possible without a permit, purely financial investments – such as for letting or leasing – will no longer be permitted.
In addition, the Federal Council intends to further restrict the purchase of holiday homes and residential units in aparthotels by persons abroad. To this end, the cantonal authorisation quotas are to be reduced and, in future, all such transactions will count towards these quotas.
It is also proposed that persons abroad should no longer be permitted to acquire listed shares in residential property companies or regularly traded shares in property funds and property SICAVs.