Buying a Vacation Home in Switzerland as a Foreigner: The Complete Vaud LFAIE Guide

Dreaming of owning a chalet in the Swiss Alps or a sunny apartment by the Swiss Riviera? For non-Swiss residents, buying real estate in Switzerland is regulated by the LFAIE (Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad, commonly known as Lex Koller).

Because property acquisition is strictly regulated and quotas apply per canton, knowing where you are legally allowed to buy a secondary residence is the most critical first step.

To make your property search easier, I’ve broken down the exact communes in Canton Vaud where foreign buyers are permitted to purchase vacation homes.

🏔️ Canton Vaud: LFAIE Approved Communes

In Canton Vaud, vacation home permits (quotas) are managed regionally. Here are the permitted districts and communes:

• 1. Nord Vaudois: Yverdon-les-Bains, Bullet, Ste-Croix

• 2. Vallée de Joux: Le Chenit, Le Lieu, L'Abbaye

• 3. Lavaux-Riviera: Chexbres, Chardonne*, La Tour-de-Peilz, Puidoux, Vevey***, Montreux, Veytaux

• 4. Ollon: Ecovets, Chesières, Villars et Arveyes

• 5. Leysin

• 6. Ormonts Dessous

• 7. Ormonts Dessus: Diablerets

• 8. Pays d'Enhaut: Château d'Oex, Rougemont et Rossinière

• 9. Other Communes: Aigle, Avenches, Saint-Cergue, Bex (above 700 m), Corbeyrier, Villeneuve, and Chavannes (specifically the "Les Cèdres" district)

Restrictions apply:* Chardonne: Village & Plan-Dessus only.** Puidoux: Village only.*** Vevey: Existing buildings only.