The Valais state has again witnessed a huge increase in the number of sales of chalets and apartments by foreigners : The number of sales has been limited ( max 1500 in Switzerland and 330 for the Valais state) per year.

On the 15th November, 1290 sales agreements were still on the waiting list, compared to 1121 at the end of 2006 despite the Moratoire in 2007.

Because of this situation and in order to try and prevent this increase in sales, the new law suggests :

A foreigner cannot buy a Swiss property before the Authorization has been granted.

From now on, the sales act to foreigners cannot be signed before the authoriazion has been granted for your property by the Swiss law.

Projects which guarantee a maximum of rental income will be treated as a priority.

Also, sales from a Swiss owner to a foreigner is no longer possible for existing properties.

A foreigner cannot sell his property before 10 years also.

However a foreigner can still buy a property from a foreigner.

For 2008, the maximum number of sales is limited to 330 :

Of which 165 are allocated to different areas in the Valais, of which 60% to new build constructions and 40% allocated for those already signed in order to lower the number on the waiting list ( 1292 currently)

165 granted to the Valais interest, ie Hotels, apartment blocks, residences

• Swiss nationals
• Swiss permit B holders or who are domiciled in Switzerland.
• Persons purchasing commercial developments.