The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Pandemic boosts Swiss market for villas and holiday homes

chalets
Quarantine is less painful in a room with a view. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

The demand for second homes and detached houses in Switzerland has been increasing since the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.  

Real estate professionals are seeing a renewed interest in chalets and other holiday apartments. The trend is benefiting smaller tourist destinations in particular. According to Wüest Partner, the price of second homes in Switzerland has risen by 3.6% over the past 12 months. 

 The demand for detached villas also increased this summer: 14% across the country and up to 25% in small and medium-sized towns such as Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Sion. 

The fear of a second wave seems to play a role with some Swiss seeking to avoid being confined in an apartment in the city centre. According to geographer Pierre Dessemontet, there is also a need for more space for teleworking and a garden or patio for leisure activities.  

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

House price rises accelerate

More

Swiss property prices continue to climb

This content was published on The prices of owner-occupied properties continued to rise in the first three months of 2025. But large regional disparities remain.

Read more: Swiss property prices continue to climb
The storm from the USA continues to sweep through the Swiss stock market

More

US storm continues to sweep through Swiss stock market

This content was published on The Swiss stock market continued to trade in the red mid-afternoon on Monday, following in the wake of the world's stock markets, which fell heavily as a result of the trade war launched by Donald Trump.

Read more: US storm continues to sweep through Swiss stock market
Swiss vote on e-ID likely

More

Swiss likely to vote on e-ID

This content was published on The referendum committee announced in Bern on Monday that it had collected more than 60,000 signatures against the e-ID project. The initials still need to be approved.

Read more: Swiss likely to vote on e-ID
Increase in offences committed by minors in Ticino

More

Crimes committed by minors increase in Ticino

This content was published on The number of offences committed by minors in canton Ticino, southern Switzerland, rose by over 20% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Read more: Crimes committed by minors increase in Ticino

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR