What is the Lex Koller law in Switzerland?

Lex Koller restricts the acquisition of residential real estate by persons abroad without Swiss residency, ensuring housing remains primarily for domestic residents.

What is Stockwerkeigentum (PPE) in Geneva?

PPE (propriété par étages) is the Swiss condominium ownership structure, requiring co-owners to contribute to a statutory renovation fund (fonds de rénovation).

Switzerland · CHF

Buyin Geneva

Real estate conveyancing in Geneva takes place before a Geneva civil notaire and is inscribed in the Registre foncier, governed by Swiss federal Lex Koller foreign purchase limits.

Zurich

Cantonal notary path

Lex Koller checked

3D map

Lex Kollerpermit regime for non-resident buyers

0% / ~3%transfer tax: Zurich vs Geneva

Reference ratethe mortgage rate that moves rents

20%Lex Weber cap on second homes per commune

What a purchase really costs

CHF 1'000'000 home in Geneva

Transfer tax (Handänderungssteuer) (3%): CHF 30'000
Notary & land-register (cantonal scale ≈0.5%): CHF 5'000
Cash needed at the notary: CHF 1'035'000

≈ +3.5% over the price. Lex Koller makes Switzerland the tightest foreign-buyer regime on this site: buyers without residence or establishment need cantonal authorization inside federal quotas, and some cantons add their own restrictions. Zurich levies no transfer tax at all — registry fees only — while Geneva charges around 3%. Notary scales are cantonal: confirm the canton’s schedule before wiring.

Rentals run on rules

The rent side, in three lines

Rent increases track the federal reference mortgage rate — a rate cut entitles tenants to a reduction claim.
Deposits cap at three months’ rent (art. 257e CO) and must sit in a blocked account in the tenant’s name.
Geneva and Vaud require the official form for the initial rent and every increase — no form, no increase.

Tenants are organised and the law favours them. Underwrite the reference rate and the form, not the asking rent alone.

Cities

Two cities, 26 cantonal rulebooks

Transfer tax, notary scale and foreign-buyer practice are cantonal. Zurich and Geneva share a currency and almost nothing else about closing a purchase.

The Canton of Geneva levies transfer duties (droits de mutation) of approximately 3% on the purchase price, plus notary fees (~0.5%) and land register registration charges (~0.2%).

Foreign nationals holding a Swiss B or C residence permit may purchase a primary residence without authorization; non-resident foreign purchases of residential property are restricted under Lex Koller quotas.

FAQ

What is the Lex Koller law in Switzerland?: Lex Koller restricts the acquisition of residential real estate by persons abroad without Swiss residency, ensuring housing remains primarily for domestic residents.
What is Stockwerkeigentum (PPE) in Geneva?: PPE (propriété par étages) is the Swiss condominium ownership structure, requiring co-owners to contribute to a statutory renovation fund (fonds de rénovation).

All markets: sivrce.com · Georgia marketplace: sivrce.ge · Prices and availability are published only when a verified listing exists. Market currency: CHF.