I am currently staying in the US. Working towards the dream of retiring someday maybe in Switzerland. I just want a general idea of how much it would cost to buy a waterfront home, but can’t seem to find much information. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

You are wise to begin researching your investment plans early and finding the immobilier who can truly assist you:

The federal law known as ‘Lex Friedrich’ that came into force on the 16th of December 1983, governs, regulates and restricts the acquisition of real estate for nonresidents in Switzerland. It has since been superseded by the "Lex Koller" and is the current ‘Federal Law Governing the Acquisition of Real Estate by Non-Residents’. The Lex Koller provides for certain restrictions with respect to the acquisition of real estate by persons living abroad. This law mandates the Federal Government issue a certain number of purchase authorizations every year that is then distributed to the individual cantons. The cantons with the highest density of tourist resorts receive the greatest proportion.

At the moment, the Lex Koller restricts property purchases for non-Swiss nationals, but on 1 November 2005, the Swiss Federal Council adopted a resolution whereby the Lex Koller will be eventually be repealed. By 2010, each canton will have the responsibility for its own foreign property acquisition laws. Looks like each commune will still have a set number of foreign purchase quotas, but the Swiss Government will not impose a number.

When a foreign national signs an offer to purchase real estate in Switzerland, the notary public must apply for an authorization to purchase on behalf of the buyer. Given the strong demand for Swiss real estate and clearly insufficient annual quotas, this has resulted in a waiting list that increases every year. In some resort areas, it can take several years before the authorization is granted. Some anticipate that the demand for Swiss homes will increase significantly as a result of this change, thereby creating strong capital appreciation in properties purchased prior to 2010, but I haven’t personally given it much thought or done any research, so I won’t speculate on that one…

For more on "how to buy", go to the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce website {www.amcham.ch} and:

1. using drop-down menu at bottom/left, select "LEGAL IN SWITZERLAND"
2. Click "Go"
3. Click "Legal" tab on left
4. Select "Real estate, incl. Lex Friedrich" tab

For a general idea of what waterfront properties in either Montreux (Lake Geneva) or Lucerne (Lake Luzern) are selling for, budget $8M – $21M USD

It is good to dream, and to make plans early in order to achieve them; I hope to have been of some help answering your question and bringing you just a little bit closer to yours.
Please don’t hesitate to ask more questions!!

Good Luck!!


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