

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

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

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

Air transport between growth and climate costs
Civil aviation in Switzerland generated direct added value of CHF 9.8 billion in 2024. Total added value amounts to CHF 24.8 billion. Zurich is the most accessible region in Europe. This is according to a report by INFRAS commissioned by the Federal Office of Civil

Senior citizens sell their homes late and downsize only slightly after moving out
The Zurich Cantonal Bank's real estate barometer has analysed voluntary moves out of owner-occupied homes. It is striking that moves usually involve couples, do not involve a change of location, and become more frequent from the age of 85 onwards. After moving out, the number of rooms per person

Regional strength compensates for weakness in the Asian market
Sika AG, a company active in the specialty chemicals sector, achieved preliminary sales of CHF 11.2 billion in the 2025 financial year. In local currencies, this corresponds to growth of 0.6 per cent. In Swiss francs, negative currency effects (-5.4 per cent) resulted in a decline of 4.8 per

Prices for detached houses and condominiums continue to rise
The Raiffeisen Transaction Price Index reports continued strong price momentum for single-family homes and condominiums. Prices for single-family homes rose by 0.2 per cent compared to the previous quarter, while condominiums cost 1.2 per cent more.

Winterthur introduces new guidelines for sustainable procurement
The city of Winterthur is changing its public procurement rules as of 1 July 2026. These rules are binding for all municipal departments for contracts worth CHF 50,000 or more and are intended to have a positive impact on the climate and the

Gray Energy Steep Pass for Tenant Protection
The debate about a sustainable building stock is at a crossroads. While the construction of energy-efficient buildings, energy-efficient renovation and the use of low-emission energy sources are now standard practice, the opinion-forming process on grey energy is still in full swing. Grey energy is

Real estate market in a state of tension
In 2026, the Swiss real estate market will continue to be caught between interest rate reversals, political uncertainty and declining construction activity. While residential properties continue to increase in value, the commercial market is coming under pressure. The latest SIV market report shows


Apartments are shrinking again
More and more people are living in less space. New-build apartments are becoming smaller for the first time in decades, while the living space per capita remains historically high. This trend is fundamentally changing planning, construction and energy policy and is turning space itself into a

Basel between regulation and reality
The mood in the Basel property world is tense, and rightly so. Anyone planning, redeveloping or investing in projects today feels the contradictions between political aspirations, economic reality and social expectations. Hardly any other economic region in Switzerland is currently as exemplary of

Swiss economy between a damper and confidence
The KOF Business Situation Indicator from ETH Zurich shows a mixed picture in December 2025. While the current situation in the Swiss private sector has declined slightly, expectations for the coming six months are rising for the fourth time in a row. The prospect of mild growth in the new year
