The OECD has put its finger on the sore spot in the Swiss housing market. In its country report dated 15 September 2026, it calls for a faster pace of construction and more delicate intervention regarding rents for existing properties. This is precisely where the real flashpoint lies for

Property remains a popular choice amongst the Swiss population within the second pillar. At the same time, the 2026 Pension Monitor reveals a worrying gap in financial security in old age. Many see little scope for saving, particularly when it comes to housing and

Zug is relaxing the rules in response to the severe housing shortage. The cantonal government is putting a partial revision of the Planning and Building Act out for consultation, linking increased density, faster procedures and new special zones to the provision of affordable

Aarau is attempting to break the deadlock in the protracted dispute over school premises. Ahead of the local council meeting on 16 November 2026, the town council is entering into a contractual agreement linking the Zelgli site to Telli, thereby making new building projects possible at both

China is radically tightening the rules on property sales. Since 28 August 2026, pre-sales may only commence once the structural work has been completed, and buyers’ funds and mortgages must remain in escrow accounts. This increases the pressure on private developers and shifts risks further into

According to UBS, Locarno in Ticino will continue to be regarded as a prime location for low-income households in 2026. However, the other end of the ranking is politically controversial. For middle-income households, the city now ranks only second, and for high-income households, third. This is

Bern is proposing a mandatory refurbishment scheme for energy-inefficient buildings. Anyone currently owning a property with a GEAK rating of E, F or G would be required, depending on the rating, to achieve at least a building envelope rating of D within 10, 15 or 20 years. This will increase the

Rental prices in Switzerland are either rising or falling, depending on the method used to measure them. Whilst the Homegate Rent Index for August 2026 shows a year-on-year increase of 1.8 per cent, a new study by newhome for July 2026 indicates a fall of 1.7 per

In the canton of Zurich, advertised rents have fallen by 3.3 per cent over the past year to 2,340 francs. This offers little relief, as the vacancy rate remains at just 0.48 per cent and, of all places, Geroldswil now tops the cantonal rent rankings due to expensive new-build

Switzerland’s largest battery storage facility is currently in operation in Gurtnellen. Axpo and energieUri have installed two large, adjacent batteries in the Plattischachen industrial park with a combined capacity of 58.4 megawatts. The facility can store excess electricity and feed it back

ETH Zurich isn’t just building a new physics building on the Hönggerberg. It’s constructing a controlled environment deep underground. The HPQ is designed to enable high-precision research in which even the slightest vibrations, magnetic fields, or temperature fluctuations can skew

The Horw Campus is entering a decisive phase. With the submission of the building permit application and the founding of Immobilien Campus Luzern-Horw AG, a long-planned vision is becoming a concrete construction project. The new campus brings together technology, architecture, and education. With

Building renovations offer an opportunity to make properties more energy-efficient, improve living conditions and sustainably increase value. The new white paper ‘Energy-efficient renovations’ shows readers how to go about it and highlights worthwhile strategies and

Basel has paved the way for one of its most striking urban development projects. The Grand Council approved the zoning change and development plan for Dreispitz Nord by a vote of 83 to 3, with four abstentions. The current commercial and parking lot area is set to be transformed into a development

Bern formally approved the rent control initiative on 13 August 2026. The initiative aims to link rents more closely to costs and returns, and to have them reviewed on a regular basis. For landlords, property managers and developers, this means, above all, increased regulatory pressure, whilst the

Gisikon has now completed the crucial planning stage. The Lucerne Cantonal Government has approved the comprehensive revision of the local development plan, even though an administrative appeal was partially upheld and led to amendments. For landowners and project developers, what matters now is

215 million Swiss francs of fresh capital, seven acquisitions, and yet no jump in returns. The Akara Diversity PK property fund maintained its investment return at 2.56 per cent in the first half of 2026 and expanded its portfolio to 3.32 billion Swiss

Lausanne is sticking to a policy of large-scale property purchases. The 2025 budget documents once again include a budget of 200 million Swiss francs for the right of first refusal for the period 2027 to 2031. Whilst this measure can help secure affordable housing stock, it does not, as a rule,

The Silbern site in Dietikon is a thriving business and shopping district in the heart of the Limmat Valley. For a long time, however, the site lacked coordinated dialogue between the various stakeholders. Whilst other business hubs in the region were catching up, Silbern was treading water. Now,

18 percent of the Zurich city flats inspected exceed the income threshold, but under current law, any consequences will not be felt until later. This is precisely where two motions tabled on 19 August 2026 come in. They call for higher rents for higher earners and an end to the 15 per cent

Borrowing costs in the US are rising again, and the effect is already evident in the market. The average interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 6.71 per cent at the start of September 2026. At the same time, the number of pending sales in August fell compared with the previous

Uri does not intend to introduce a canton-wide property tax on second homes following the abolition of the imputed rental value. Instead, each municipality is to be able to decide for itself whether it needs such a tax. Andermatt, in particular, is thus taking centre stage in the tax

Bern is driving forward the debate on a mandatory refurbishment requirement for inefficient older buildings. On 2 September 2026, the Federal Council approved a report outlining binding deadlines for achieving GEAK Class D via cantonal energy laws. Whether this will amount to more than just a

In Zurich’s 6th district, a pending case before the Federal Supreme Court is holding up a project for 42 social housing flats. The case touches on a sensitive issue in urban development, as affordable housing, mature trees and stricter tree protection measures clash directly on the same

Innovation does not happen by chance. It requires space, proximity and a location that does more than simply set out good intentions. This is precisely where Schlieren comes in. Through the Innovation and Young Entrepreneurs Centre (IJZ), the town provides young firms and existing SMEs with

Winter has long shaped the construction industry. Now, the summer heat is putting architecture and the real estate sector to a new test. Even sustainable wood-frame buildings require a precise interplay of location, materials, thermal mass, shading, ventilation, and

In 2027, Switzerland will not be traveling to Belgrade with a traditional exhibition. Instead, it aims to get people moving, facilitate encounters, and make the future a shared experience. The Swiss Pavilion is being designed by the Zurich-based creative agency JEFF in collaboration with Bellprat

Heat pumps are considered key to the energy transition. But starting in 2027, a system’s sustainability will depend on more than just its efficiency. Refrigerants are also taking center stage. New Swiss regulations are further restricting climate-impacting substances, thereby changing planning,

Thun Nord was set to evolve from an industrial and military area into a diverse neighborhood. Now, the federal government is setting a new guideline: the military base’s land will remain reserved for the army and national defense. The space that was expected to be used for civilian development

The Swiss construction industry gained momentum in the first half of 2026. Building construction is growing strongly, driven by residential construction and public projects. But behind the positive figures lies a structural problem. Contracts are in place, but planning, permits, objections, and