Why was the change in the Lex Friedrich advantageous for foreign property buyers?
In June 2002 the Lex Friedrich (Mention Epiney) was altered slightly: It has now become possible for a foreign buyer to purchase a Swiss property from a foreign seller without any subscription to the Legal Service for the purchase authority. This therefore means that there is no time delay. Previously, foreign buyers were not entitled to purchase properties with a liveable surface area of more than 100 square metres. Now that the Lex Friedrich has changed, foreigners are able to purchase properties with a liveable surface of up to 200 square metres. The annual quota allowing foreigners to buy has remained the same: 310 per year in the canton of Le Valais. This quota is now due to disappear, it is just a question of months.
