Swiss property, explained for expats
Practical guides on buying, financing and owning property in Switzerland as a foreigner.
Oct 19, 2026
Buying vs. Renting in Switzerland as an Expat: The Real Trade-Offs
Switzerland's unique rental culture and strict mortgage rules mean the buy-vs-rent decision looks different here than almost anywhere else.
Read more →Oct 12, 2026
Swiss Mortgage Affordability: Understanding the One-Third Rule
Swiss banks use a strict affordability test based on theoretical costs, not just your current mortgage rate — here's how it works.
Read more →Oct 5, 2026
The 20% Down-Payment Rule in Switzerland: What Equity You Actually Need to Buy Property
Swiss banks typically require 20% equity to buy a home, but the rules on what counts as equity are stricter than they first appear.
Read more →Sep 14, 2026
Lex Koller and Your Residence Permit: What Foreign Buyers Need to Know
Lex Koller restricts property purchases by non-Swiss residents, and the rules differ significantly depending on your Swiss residence permit.
Read more →Sep 7, 2026
Cantonal Differences That Matter When Buying Property in Switzerland
Swiss property rules vary sharply by canton—here's what expats need to check before buying, from taxes to foreign-ownership limits.
Read more →Aug 31, 2026
Imputed Rental Value (Eigenmietwert): What Swiss Homeowners Should Understand
Eigenmietwert taxes homeowners on a notional rental income from their own property—here's what expats need to know.
Read more →Aug 24, 2026
The Ongoing Costs of Owning a Home in Switzerland: What Expats Should Budget For
Buying a Swiss home is just the start—here's what taxes, maintenance, insurance and other recurring costs really involve.
Read more →Aug 10, 2026
EU/EFTA vs. Non-EU Expats: How Nationality and Permit Type Affect Buying Swiss Property
Swiss property rules depend less on your passport and more on your residence permit — here's how EU/EFTA and non-EU expats are treated differently.
Read more →Aug 3, 2026
Using Your 2nd and 3rd Pillar Pension for a Swiss Property Down Payment
How expats can tap Swiss pension savings (Pillar 2 and 3a) to help fund a home purchase, and the trade-offs involved.
Read more →Jul 27, 2026
Buying a Home in Switzerland as a Foreigner: A Step-by-Step Guide
A clear walkthrough of the permits, financing, and legal steps foreigners face when buying property in Switzerland.
Read more →Jul 13, 2026
Buying vs. Renting in Switzerland: What Expats Really Need to Weigh Up
Switzerland's rules on foreign ownership, financing and taxation make the buy-vs-rent decision more complex here than in most countries.
Read more →Jul 13, 2026
How Swiss Mortgage Affordability Is Calculated: The One-Third Rule Explained
A plain-English guide to how Swiss banks judge whether you can afford a property, and why the one-third rule matters.
Read more →Jul 13, 2026
The 20% Down-Payment Rule in Switzerland: How Much Equity Do You Really Need?
Swiss lenders generally require 20% equity for a mortgage, but the real number depends on your funds' source and other costs.
Read more →Jul 13, 2026
Lex Koller Explained: How Your Swiss Residence Permit Affects Your Right to Buy Property
A plain-English guide to how Switzerland's Lex Koller law treats B, C, L and G permit holders differently when buying property.
Read more →