Story perspectives

Switzerland Tightens Foreign Property Laws Amid Housing Crisis

4/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Swiss government will tighten foreign-property ownership laws under Lex Koller to address a housing shortage.
Foreign buyers must obtain government authorization before purchasing homes.
The measures primarily affect nationals from outside the EU and EFTA.
The government aims to curb foreign investment in residential property and reduce quotas for holiday-home purchases.
The revisions come after the rejection of the immigration-cap initiative and aim to limit ownership and speculation.

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Story summary

The Swiss government will tighten foreign-property ownership laws under Lex Koller to address a housing shortage.
Foreign buyers must obtain government authorization before purchasing homes.
The measures primarily affect nationals from outside the EU and EFTA.
The government aims to curb foreign investment in residential property and reduce quotas for holiday-home purchases.
The revisions come after the rejection of the immigration-cap initiative and aim to limit ownership and speculation.