Advisory Guide
Holiday homes in designated Swiss tourist zones represent the principal route through which non-resident foreign nationals may acquire residential property in Switzerland. This guide explains the conditions, restrictions and key locations.
Advisory disclaimer: This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules, quotas and zone designations change. Always obtain independent legal advice from a qualified Swiss notary or lawyer before proceeding with any property acquisition.
Under Lex Koller, the acquisition of a holiday home in a designated Swiss tourist zone is the primary — and in most cases the only — route through which a non-resident foreign national may acquire residential property in Switzerland.
This route is available only in cantons and communes that have been formally designated as tourist zones by the relevant cantonal authority. Not all Swiss cantons have tourist zones. The major cantons with designated tourist zones are Valais, Vaud (Alpine areas), Graubünden, Bern (Bernese Oberland), Ticino and Uri.
Even within tourist zone cantons, not every commune is designated. The designation applies to specific resort and tourist areas — typically Alpine ski resorts, lake resort areas and established holiday destinations.
Location in a designated tourist zone
The property must be located in a commune that has been formally designated as a tourist zone by the relevant cantonal authority. This designation is specific to the commune, not the canton as a whole.
Cantonal authorisation required
The buyer must obtain authorisation from the competent cantonal authority before the purchase can be completed. The notary handling the transaction typically manages this process.
Annual quota availability
Authorisation is subject to the annual cantonal quota. If the quota for the relevant canton has been exhausted, no further authorisations can be granted until the following year.
Living space: approximately 200 m²
The usable living area of the property should not substantially exceed approximately 200 m². This is a guideline applied in cantonal authorisation practice.
Land plot: approximately 1,000 m²
The land plot associated with the property should not substantially exceed approximately 1,000 m².
Holiday use only
The property must be used as a holiday home. It may not be used as a primary residence. Commercial rental may be subject to restrictions depending on the canton and commune.
Weber Act compliance
The property must comply with the Weber Act (Lex Weber), which limits second homes to 20% of total housing stock in any commune. In communes that have already reached this threshold, new second home construction is not permitted.
Acquisition of a holiday home outside a designated tourist zone
Acquisition of a holiday home in a canton with no tourist zone designation (e.g. Geneva, Zurich, Basel)
Acquisition of a property exceeding the approximate size limits without specific justification
Use of the property as a primary residence
Acquisition of a second holiday home in Switzerland (generally only one authorisation per person)
Acquisition of a residential investment property for rental income
Acquisition in a commune where the Weber Act 20% cap has been reached (for new construction)
The following communes are among the principal designated tourist zones in Switzerland where foreign holiday home acquisition may be possible subject to authorisation and quotas. This is not an exhaustive list. Final confirmation of zone status and quota availability must be obtained from the relevant cantonal authority and notary.
Verbier (Bagnes)
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
One of Switzerland's most prestigious ski resorts.
Zermatt
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Car-free Alpine resort at the foot of the Matterhorn.
Crans-Montana
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / chalet
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Plateau resort with panoramic views.
Saas-Fee
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Car-free glacier resort.
Nendaz
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Part of the 4 Vallées ski area.
Champéry
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Part of the Portes du Soleil ski area.
Leukerbad (Loèche-les-Bains)
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Thermal spa resort.
Grimentz / Zinal (Anniviers)
Valais (VS)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Val d'Anniviers.
Villars-sur-Ollon
Vaud (VD)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Established international ski resort in the Alpes Vaudoises.
Les Diablerets (Ormont-Dessus)
Vaud (VD)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Glacier 3000 ski area.
Leysin
Vaud (VD)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Sunny south-facing resort.
Château-d'Oex
Vaud (VD)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Traditional Pays-d'Enhaut village.
Montreux
Vaud (VD)
Property type
Eligible holiday residence / apartment / villa
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Swiss Riviera.
St. Moritz
Graubünden (GR)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / chalet
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Ultra-prime international resort.
Davos
Graubünden (GR)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / chalet
Authorisation
Required
Known for
World Economic Forum.
Klosters
Graubünden (GR)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Discreet, traditional Alpine resort.
Arosa
Graubünden (GR)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / chalet
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Car-accessible high-altitude resort.
Flims-Laax
Graubünden (GR)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Freestyle skiing and snowboarding destination.
Pontresina
Graubünden (GR)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / chalet
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Upper Engadin resort adjacent to St.
Gstaad (Saanen)
Bern (BE)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Ultra-prime international resort.
Grindelwald
Bern (BE)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Eiger North Face.
Wengen
Bern (BE)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Car-free resort above Lauterbrunnen valley.
Adelboden
Bern (BE)
Property type
Holiday home / chalet / apartment
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Traditional Bernese Oberland resort.
Ascona
Ticino (TI)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / villa
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Lake Maggiore.
Brissago
Ticino (TI)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / villa
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Lake Maggiore.
Lugano
Ticino (TI)
Property type
Eligible holiday residence / apartment / villa
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Financial centre of Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Andermatt
Uri (UR)
Property type
Holiday home / apartment / hotel residence
Authorisation
Required
Known for
Major new resort development by Orascom.
For full commune-level details including typical restrictions and authorisation notes, see the commune-by-commune guide.
In This Section
Advisory
Swiss Private Group advises international private clients on Swiss holiday home acquisition in resort areas including Verbier, Crans-Montana, Gstaad, St. Moritz and Ascona.
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