Lex Koller: what a foreigner can really buy in Ticino
B permit, principal residence, secondary, land, commercial property: the map of who can buy what, without clichés.
The principle
The Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (LAFE, known as Lex Koller) restricts real estate acquisition in Switzerland by non-residents. The historical purpose is to prevent territorial sell-off. Exceptions exist but are precise.
B-permit holders with effective domicile
May acquire the principal residence freely, even of high value, without prior authorisation, provided they actually establish their residence there. This is the master route for those moving to Ticino on the forfait.
Secondary residences
The purchase of a secondary residence by foreigners is subject to annual cantonal quotas and reserved to certain tourist locations. Ticino has quotas, but they are limited: planning requires time.
Building land
The purchase of undeveloped land is in principle excluded for non-residents. For B-permit holders with domicile, purchase is possible on condition that the principal residence is built within defined deadlines.
Commercial property
Purchase for commercial purposes (offices, hotels, rental income commercial property) is not subject to Lex Koller and is therefore freely accessible even to non-residents. An important distinction often ignored.
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