Property prices in Switzerland

Switzerland has one of the most stable economies in the world and real estate prices demonstrate long-term growth.

In 2013, property prices in Switzerland increased 4.6% against 2012, although in 2014 the growth dropped to 0.4% and finally perked up, increasing 2.6% in Q1 2015 vs Q1 2014 according to Knight Frank. The average square metre costs €8,800.

The most expensive apartments are found in Geneva where a square metre costs approximately €14,000. Mansions start at €2M, almost twice as high as the average national property prices. The most expensive villa on the market so far was in 2013 and had a price tag of €57.7M. Geneva and other lake towns attract a lot of tourists and the top three nationalities visiting Switzerland are the French, British and Russians. The most popular areas of the Geneva canton are Old City and Champel as well as the towns of Collonge-Bellerive and Cologny.

Apartments in ski resorts like St. Moritz, Verbier, Zermatt and Gstaad are not cheap either. Prices exceed €11,000/sq m and prime real estate starts around at €27,000/sq m. Among the resorts, Gstaad is the most expensive and prices per square metre can reach €45,000. A two-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of town costs €3M, a chalet needing renovation is €8M and a ten-bedroom chalet is €16M. The luxury segment of Gstaad prime property sells for €20M–30M.

Tourists often go shopping in Lugano near the Italian border. This town and its surrounding area on the north side of the Lugano Lake are known for high-quality schools and pristine nature. The Milan airport is close by and has flights to most major European cities. A square metre in and around Lugano costs on average €4,000–6,000 and prime real estate prices are often three times more expensive.