How to Buy Property in Montreux: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Define your criteria and legal eligibility

Before beginning your search, clarify your criteria: budget, property type (apartment or house), area, size, view requirements and intended use (primary residence, secondary residence or holiday home). Equally important is establishing your legal eligibility to purchase. Swiss nationals and C permit holders can purchase any property without restriction. EU/EFTA residents with a B permit can purchase a primary residence. Non-resident foreign buyers require a Lex Koller authorisation to purchase a holiday home in a designated tourist municipality such as Montreux.

If you are a non-resident foreign buyer, confirm your eligibility and the availability of Foreign Buyer Eligible properties before investing significant time in your search.

Step 2 — Engage a specialist agent and begin your search

In the Montreux market, working with a specialist local agent is essential. The best properties — particularly in the prime and luxury segments — are often sold off-market, and access to these opportunities requires an established relationship with an agent who is trusted by property owners.

Your agent will present properties that match your criteria, arrange viewings and provide market context. Be clear about your priorities and budget from the outset — this allows the agent to focus on genuinely suitable properties rather than showing you everything available.

Step 3 — Due diligence and offer

Once you have identified a property you wish to purchase, conduct thorough due diligence before making an offer. Review the land register extract (extrait du registre foncier), the building plans, the PPE regulations (for apartments), the service charge accounts and any known defects or legal encumbrances. For older properties, consider commissioning a building survey.

When you are satisfied with the due diligence, make a written offer to the seller through your agent. In Switzerland, offers are not legally binding until a notarial deed is signed — but a written offer signals serious intent and begins the negotiation process.

Step 4 — Reservation agreement and notary appointment

If the seller accepts your offer, a reservation agreement (contrat de réservation) may be signed. This is a private agreement — not a notarial deed — that records the agreed price and conditions and typically involves a deposit of 10 percent of the purchase price. The reservation agreement is not a guarantee of completion, but it demonstrates commitment from both parties.

The notary (notaire) is appointed to prepare the purchase deed. In Vaud, the notary is typically chosen by the buyer. The notary verifies the legal status of the property, prepares the deed, ensures all conditions are met and registers the transfer in the land register.

Step 5 — Signing the deed and completion

Both buyer and seller sign the notarial deed (acte de vente) in the presence of the notary. The purchase price is transferred to the notary's escrow account before signing. The notary then registers the transfer in the land register and releases the funds to the seller.

Key handover typically takes place on the day of signing or shortly thereafter, as agreed between the parties. From this point, the buyer is the legal owner of the property.

Key points

• Establish legal eligibility (Lex Koller) before beginning your search
• Specialist local agent essential — best properties are often off-market
• Thorough due diligence before making an offer: land register, PPE, building condition
• Reservation agreement (10% deposit) follows accepted offer
• Notarial deed signed by both parties — transfer registered in land register