Can You Buy a Second Home in Montreux?

The two laws that apply

Any buyer considering a second home in Montreux must navigate two separate legal frameworks. Lex Weber determines what can be built and what stock is available — in Montreux, no new secondary residences can be constructed. Lex Koller determines who can buy — non-resident foreign buyers require cantonal authorisation and must purchase a Foreign Buyer Eligible property.

Swiss nationals, C permit holders and EU/EFTA residents in Switzerland are not subject to Lex Koller and can purchase any existing secondary residence in Montreux. They are, however, subject to Lex Weber in the sense that no new secondary residences can be built for them either.

What is available to buy

The available stock of second homes in Montreux consists entirely of existing properties — apartments, chalets and villas that were classified as secondary residences before Lex Weber came into force. No new secondary residences have been built in Montreux since 2016, and none can be built in the future.

For non-resident foreign buyers, the available stock is further limited to those properties that carry Foreign Buyer Eligible status under Lex Koller. This is a subset of the total secondary residence stock — not all secondary residences in Montreux are eligible for foreign purchase.

The market implications

The combination of Lex Weber supply constraints and consistent international demand has created a resilient market for second homes in Montreux. Prices for existing secondary residences — particularly those with lake views, modern finishes and Foreign Buyer Eligible status — have held firm and in many cases appreciated.

Buyers should expect a competitive market with limited inventory. Properties that meet the criteria for foreign purchase are particularly sought-after and may not remain available for long.

Practical steps

Buyers seeking a second home in Montreux should engage a specialist agent who has access to both on-market and off-market inventory. Confirming Foreign Buyer Eligible status (if applicable), verifying Lex Weber classification, and checking Lex Koller quota availability are all steps that should be completed before making an offer.

The notary will manage the legal aspects of the transaction, including any Lex Koller authorisation application. Buyers should allow four to eight weeks for authorisation processing in addition to the standard transaction timeline.

Key points

• No new second homes can be built in Montreux under Lex Weber
• Available stock is limited to existing secondary residences
• Non-resident foreign buyers must purchase Foreign Buyer Eligible properties
• Supply constraints support values for existing second homes
• Engage a specialist agent with access to off-market inventory