
Federal government conducts consultation on location promotion
The Federal Council has opened the consultation process for the 2028–2031 location promotion message. The aim is not only to reduce the administrative burden on SMEs, but also to promote their access to international markets. The federal government is making around CHF 400 million available for

First consultation on location promotion
The Federal Council has opened the consultation on the 2028-2031 Dispatch on the Promotion of Switzerland as a Business Location and is planning CHF 392 million for this purpose. The focus is on easing the digital burden on SMEs, improving export opportunities and strengthening the economies of all

Solar project combines own electricity and regional investment
The Schloss Turbenthal Foundation is building a solar power plant on the roofs of its village for deaf people. Interested parties can participate in the plant, which has over 150 solar modules, via the solarify.ch platform. It is expected to generate 66,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per

Society for affordable housing aims to create permanently affordable living space
The new Gesellschaft für erschwingliches Wohnen AG (GEW) has been founded in Schlieren. The aim of this non-profit organisation is to create and maintain affordable housing in Switzerland on a long-term basis using an economically viable

Transformation programme proves effective at access technology specialist
Dormakaba, a company operating in the locking technology sector, will see declines in total revenue and profit in the first half of the 2025/26 financial year. However, organic growth will be generated and margins will also increase. The forecast therefore remains

Startup accelerates engineering simulations with AI
Fainite AG has received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to develop a physics-based AI engine that significantly accelerates engineering simulations. The aim is to automate complex, computationally intensive analyses, thereby reducing development costs and bringing products to market

Orientation in a tight property market
The Swiss property market remains characterised by scarcity, rising prices and bubble concerns. At the same time, the need for reliable advice is growing. In its latest ranking, the business magazine Bilanz has recognised 125 "Top property experts in Switzerland 2026", providing guidance for

Timber construction as an investment
Timber construction not only scores points ecologically, but increasingly also from an investor's perspective. It offers cost certainty, shorter construction times and reduces regulatory and market-related risks, despite higher construction and life cycle costs in some

PropTech Switzerland 2025
Small, highly specialised and fast-growing. The Swiss PropTech scene is one of the most innovative technology fields in the property industry in Europe. With strong roots at ETH and EPFL, a growing volume of funding and clear sustainability goals, an ecosystem is developing here that is

Direct real estate strategies for family offices and investors
The newly founded Blacklake Investment Partners AG will serve as an interface between capital and real estate investments within the Blacklake Group. It will facilitate access to exceptional properties and off-market opportunities in the DACH

Rental prices rise only modestly in January
The Homegate rental index for advertised rents measures a 0.2 per cent increase in rents across Switzerland for January. Half of the cantons reported a negative rental trend for January. Rents also remained stable or fell in cities. Only Zurich saw prices rise in

Swiss speciality chemicals drive expansion in the sealant market
Sika plans to acquire Turkish adhesive and sealant manufacturer Akkim. The Zug-based specialty chemicals company wants to expand its supply chains in the adhesive and sealant trade. The additional distribution channels will also be used to expand its online

Defect rights and builders’ liens – important changes
On 1st January 2026, a partial revision of warranty law in the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) will come into force, strengthening the rights of builders and property buyers. At the same time, the building contractor's lien will be clarified in the Swiss Civil Code



Housing promotion at federal level
The National Council's Economic Affairs Committee wants to continue the federal government's tried-and-tested housing subsidy programme. The Fonds de Roulement and contingent liabilities are to be extended and slightly strengthened, but the new cost-rent model remains




Growth strategy in the building technology market continues
The Burkhalter Group has acquired Enplan AG, a building services engineering company based in Herisau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Elektro Gasser AG, an electrical and telecommunications company based in Lalden, Valais. These two acquisitions will enable the Group to expand its market share in

Technology fund supports AI-based energy optimisation
The technology fund has provided a guarantee for the Zurich-based start-up Scandens. The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich offers software solutions for energy-related property analyses. These show which renovations are worthwhile in terms of returns and the

Swiss companies start the year on a more optimistic note
The business situation in the Swiss private sector improved noticeably at the start of 2026. Companies are more confident about the coming months than they were at the beginning of 2025. The upturn is being driven primarily by the manufacturing industry, but the construction, financial, retail and

Lucerne invests 300 million in its location
With a package of measures worth CHF 300 million a year, the Cantonal Council wants to secure the quality of the location, cushion the consequences of the OECD minimum taxation and at the same time strengthen the population and companies. The focus is on innovation, availability of space and tax

Densification of housing stock is unpopular with the population
According to a survey by Comparis, almost two-thirds of people in Switzerland feel the housing shortage. Experts believe that taller buildings in cities could provide a solution. However, women in particular reject this idea. Overall, 68 per cent are against increasing the density of the housing


Chief Financial Officer temporarily takes over operational management
Urs Neuhauser stepped down from his position as CEO of Griesser, a brand active in the sun protection sector, on 12 January 2026. Stefan Leitner, previously CFO of the Griesser Group, has taken over as interim CEO. The search for a new CEO has

Antitrust law with scope for cooperation
During its 2025 winter session, Parliament passed the revision of the Cartel Act. The aim is to protect competition, but economically sensible cooperation should no longer be subject to general suspicion. For planning offices and the construction industry, the amendment brings greater legal


