Third-country nationals require prior authorization to purchase residential property in Switzerland. The federal government sets an annual quota for permits for foreigners. The conditions for issuing permits are determined at the canton level, with some of the cantons limiting the maximum value of the property available for purchase.

Similar restrictions apply to foreign companies (including companies registered in Switzerland, but with more than 30% foreign participation), which are also prohibited from acquiring real estate without permission.

Real estate transaction costs include: attorneys, notaries, registration fees, taxes, agency fees.

Property Transfer Tax. It is installed in each canton and ranges from 0.2% to 3.3% of the value of the property.

Registration fee - 0.25% of the value of the property.

Notary fees also vary from canton to canton. Usually this amount is determined in the amount of 0.10% of the value of the property.

Agency fee - 3% - 5% (+ 7.6% VAT)

Sale of business (companies) as a whole is carried out in accordance with the applicable charters of the business structures. However, it should be borne in mind that the Federal Tax Service charges the so-called “stamp duty” from certain financial services. This is a peculiar form of value added tax, which, first of all, is related to securities trading.

Stamp duties are levied on each purchase and sale of shares, bonds, structured and investment products, ETFs and other securities.

The amount of the fee is automatically deducted by the bank or broker. The stamp duty depends on where the shares are traded: on a Swiss or foreign stock exchange.

The stamp duty on Swiss shares is 0.075%, on foreign - 0.15%.