Today, it takes an average of 140 days from planning application to building permit – 56 days more than in 2010, according to the Zurich Cantonal Bank.
The scarcity of new homes is forcing up rental prices, says Credit Suisse.
Building permits for rental properties have decreased by 1,500 compared to the previous year, while immigration has increased by one-third over the same period, the bank warned in a recent report.
Economics Minister Guy Parmelin convened a round table of experts on Friday to examine ways to improve the situation.
More
More
Switzerland faces shortage of 51,000 homes, says study
This content was published on
Switzerland is heading towards its biggest housing shortage in 30 years, according to the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper.
Parmelin acknowledged that the participants have a “big job ahead of us” as a plethora of noise, water and landscape protection rules have slowed construction to a dribble compared to demand.
The initial round table will be followed by a series of smaller meetings to thrash out potential solutions.
The Swiss Association of Cities will also participate in the project to unblock construction. Vice-President Corine Mauch said regulations in Zurich are blocking attempts to build more affordable housing.
However, different parts of Switzerland will need different solutions to meet housing needs, the roundtable meeting heard.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
November 24, 2024 votes: the results from across Switzerland
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Swiss authorities release right-to-die activist in Sarco ‘suicide capsule’ case
This content was published on
A right-to-die activist has been released after more than two months in police custody over the reported first use of the Sarco “suicide capsule”, after prosecutors ruled out the possibility of an intentional homicide.
Switzerland demands immediate halt to hostilities in Syria
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, it declared via the social media platform X on Tuesday.
Poll: right-wing Swiss People’s Party enjoys growing support among population
This content was published on
If national elections had been held in Switzerland last month, the right-wing Swiss People's Party would have won, and increased its share of votes by 2% compared to the 2023 federal elections.
This content was published on
Swiss Black Friday revenues failed to live up to retail expectations. But sales throughout the week proved more successful.
This content was published on
The Swiss army will have CH 530 million more than expected for armaments investments after a parliamentary chamber approved the increase.
This content was published on
Swiss citizens could have access to an e-ID from 2026 as parliament has agreed to the idea in principle despite still having to iron out some minor issues.
How an experimental housing model pushed communal living to the limits
This content was published on
A hundred years ago a Swiss 'Free Village' was seen as a testing ground for an ideological third way between socialism and capitalism.
This content was published on
People in Switzerland have been looking for bigger or second homes during the coronavirus pandemic, fuelling housing shortages and pushing prices up.
Homeless to hip: How Swiss housing cooperatives developed
This content was published on
Many of the cooperatives set up to alleviate the urban housing shortage following the First World War celebrate their 100th anniversary this year.
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.