Swiss property, explained for expats
Practical guides on buying, financing and owning property in Switzerland as a foreigner.
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 →