Swiss Riviera Properties for Sale and Rent

The Swiss Riviera stretches along the northern shore of Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Villeneuve, encompassing Vevey, Montreux and the surrounding hillside communes. Sheltered by the Alps and facing south across the lake toward the French Alps, the region enjoys one of the sunniest microclimates in Switzerland — a combination of natural conditions that supports vineyards, gardens and outdoor living throughout much of the year.

Montreux, the principal town of the Swiss Riviera, has long attracted private clients seeking a combination of natural beauty, cultural life and residential privacy. The town is home to the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Chillon Castle, Clinique La Prairie and a concentration of private schools, medical facilities and international infrastructure that makes it particularly well suited to families and individuals relocating from abroad.

Vevey, situated between Lausanne and Montreux, offers a quieter residential character while maintaining excellent connectivity to Geneva and Zurich via the Swiss rail network. Properties in Vevey and the surrounding hillside communes of Chardonne, Corseaux and Saint-Saphorin are rarely offered publicly and are typically introduced through private networks.

Properties on the Swiss Riviera range from historic Belle Époque villas and contemporary lakefront residences to hillside estates with panoramic views across the lake and the Alps. The off-market segment represents the majority of significant transactions in this region. Montreux Real Estate maintains relationships with private owners, family offices and legal advisors that provide access to properties that are never publicly listed.

For buyers considering a primary or secondary residence on the Swiss Riviera, Montreux Real Estate provides a structured advisory service from initial property identification through to acquisition completion. All introductions are made on a confidential basis and without obligation.

Switzerland operates a structured framework for residential property acquisition by foreign nationals, governed primarily by the Lex Koller legislation. The rules vary by canton, property type and the buyer's residency status, and it is important for international clients to understand the applicable framework before proceeding.

In Canton Vaud, which covers the majority of the Swiss Riviera, non-Swiss residents may acquire residential property in designated tourist zones subject to cantonal authorisation. The Swiss Riviera — including Montreux, Vevey and the surrounding communes — contains a significant number of properties that fall within these tourist zones and are therefore accessible to foreign buyers under the applicable conditions.

Secondary residences in tourist zones may be acquired by foreign nationals subject to a quota system administered at the cantonal level. The property must typically be used as a secondary residence and may not be let on a commercial basis without specific authorisation. The acquisition process involves a formal application to the cantonal authority, which is typically handled by the notary responsible for the transaction.

For foreign nationals who are resident in Switzerland — including holders of B and C permits — the restrictions are significantly reduced and in many cases do not apply. EU and EFTA nationals resident in Switzerland generally have the same acquisition rights as Swiss citizens.

Montreux Real Estate advises international buyers on eligibility, acquisition structures and the practical steps involved in purchasing property in Switzerland. We coordinate with local legal advisors and notaries throughout the acquisition process to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met efficiently and discreetly.

Montreux Real Estate has been active in the Swiss Riviera property market for more than fifteen years. The company has extensive experience assisting international buyers, entrepreneurs, family offices and cross-border buyers seeking residential property in Switzerland.

Through continuous monitoring of public listings and selected private opportunities, Montreux Real Estate helps clients navigate the market efficiently and identify properties that match their objectives — whether a primary residence, a secondary property or an investment acquisition.

The firm maintains particular expertise across the following communes and localities on the Swiss Riviera: