Can I Invest in UK Property as a Swiss Resident?

If you’re a British expat or non-UK resident living in Switzerland and wondering, “Can I invest in UK property from here?”

The short answer is Yes. If you'd like to hear more about how we have helped Swiss-based clients buy UK property, book a 30-minute discovery call with our team.

The slightly longer (and more useful) answer is: Yes, but there are a few hoops to jump through, mainly on the lending side.

The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. We help clients in Switzerland navigate this every day, and we’re pretty good at it (check out our testimonials).

We dive into the things that always come up for our Swiss clients here, as well as questions on Pillar 3a usage, tax implications, lending issues and other fun topics.

This is your Swiss Resident's Guide To Investing in UK Property. Let's get into it.

Why UK Property Still Attracts Swiss Residents

Despite the Swiss Alps in your backyard and a famously stable economy, many Swiss-based British expats are drawn to the UK property market for one big reason: strong rental yields combined with long-term capital growth potential.

Want to see what rental returns you could get? Download our free rental returns calculator here.

According to the UK Office for National Statistics, average UK house prices rose by 1.9% year-on-year (as of early 2025), even amid cooling post-pandemic. Meanwhile, rental demand has surged, especially in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Liverpool & Leeds.

We cover the best areas to invest as an expat in another article, but spoiler alert: it’s often not London.

The Lending Hurdle: What You Need to Know

The biggest challenge for Swiss residents isn’t buying the property, it’s getting the mortgage. Many UK lenders apply stricter criteria for non-residents, including:

• Proof of foreign income

  
  

• More hoops to jump through

  
  

• Fewer lender options, meaning slightly higher rates

  
  

But don’t panic. Specialist expat mortgage brokers exist, and we can introduce you to the best (check out our detailed article on how to get a buy-to-let mortgage as an expat).

We also have a Ltd Company Formation Service if you’re considering purchasing through a limited company which is something increasingly popular for tax reasons (see our guide on limited company vs. personal name).

Do You Need a UK Bank Account?

Not necessarily. Many lenders and letting agents will pay into your Swiss account, but having a UK bank account can make life easier.

Just make sure your address on your bank statements matches your current home address. If it doesn't, make this change ASAP as this is a key road block for lenders.

We explain the pros and cons in Do You Need a UK Bank Account to Buy Property as a Non-UK Resident?.

Swiss Taxes, Pillar 3a, AML, and Other Fun Stuff

Taxes are where things get interesting. You’ll want to understand the non-resident landlord scheme, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax rules.

We walk you through it all in our Expats’ Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Property, from sourcing, to financing, to working with a UK solicitor (see our piece on how to find a solicitor while living overseas).

Stamp Duty Land Tax is an important thing to know about. You can calculate the exact amount of Stamp Duty that you will pay here.

Currency Considerations (GBP vs. CHF)

Switzerland runs on the Swiss franc (CHF), while the UK runs on the British pound (GBP). Sounds obvious, but the implications are often underestimated.

• Exchange rate fluctuations: The CHF is historically a strong and stable currency, often seen as a “safe haven” during economic turbulence. The GBP, on the other hand, has seen more volatility, especially around Brexit, the pandemic, and political shifts.

  
  

• For you, this means any profit or capital gain you make in GBP could fluctuate significantly once converted back to CHF. Gains can shrink or grow depending on the exchange rate at the time you repatriate funds. If you keep the funds in the UK, you don't need to worry about this.

  
  

• Transfer costs: International transfers come with fees. Swiss banks are known for robust services, but they often charge higher-than-average international transfer fees. Consider using specialised currency transfer services (like Wise or Revolut) when moving large sums to reduce costs. I use Wise - you can use our referral code here.

Swiss Tax Reporting Obligations

Even if your property and tenants are in the UK, you must declare overseas property income on your Swiss tax return. Key points:

• Worldwide income: Switzerland taxes residents on their global income and assets, including foreign rental income and foreign property values.

  
  

• Wealth tax: Switzerland has a wealth tax, levied at the cantonal level. Your UK property’s value (converted to CHF) is included in your net wealth calculation, potentially nudging you into higher wealth tax brackets depending on your canton (e.g., Zug vs. Geneva have very different rates).

  
  

• Double taxation agreements (DTA): Luckily, Switzerland and the UK have a DTA. This means you won’t pay tax twice, but you must still report everything accurately. You’ll generally pay income tax in the UK first (via corporation tax or the non-resident landlord scheme) and then declare it in Switzerland, where Swiss tax authorities will credit foreign taxes paid.

  
  

For detailed guidelines, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) provides resources: https://www.estv.admin.ch/estv/en/home.html

Mortgage Options for Swiss Residents

Unlike EU residents, Swiss residents are non-EU foreign nationals, a detail some UK lenders flag in their risk assessments. Here’s how it typically plays out:

• Some UK lenders will only work with Swiss residents if you have British citizenship or strong UK ties. Others are open but may require enhanced due diligence.

  
  

• You’ll likely need to provide detailed income documentation, ideally in English, and often certified translations if your paperwork is in German, French, or Italian.

  
  

• Swiss-based income (especially if paid in CHF) may be assessed conservatively due to perceived currency risk, even though CHF is stable.

  
  

• Be prepared for a higher interest rate due to “non-resident risk loading.”

Legal & Regulatory Landscape in Switzerland

Although there are no Swiss capital controls preventing you from buying abroad, Swiss residents should be aware of the Lex Koller law. While Lex Koller mainly restricts foreign nationals from buying Swiss real estate, it sometimes causes confusion.

To be clear: Lex Koller does not restrict you from buying property in the UK.

However, Swiss residents with regulated professions (like bankers or fiduciaries) may face enhanced internal compliance checks when moving large sums offshore, especially post-2018, after tightening anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

It’s worth checking with your Swiss bank’s compliance team in advance if you plan to send large property purchase funds abroad, to avoid triggering unnecessary red flags or transfer delays.

Pension Considerations (Pillar 3a & Beyond)

Swiss residents often ask whether they can use their pension funds (especially Pillar 3a) to invest in UK property. The answer is: no, not directly.

Pillar 3a (and 2nd pillar) funds can generally only be used for owner-occupied Swiss real estate, not foreign investment property. So while your UK investment can support your broader retirement strategy, you cannot unlock Swiss pension assets to fund it.

Special Tip: From personal experience, you may be able to lend money in Switzerland on a personal loan and use this to renovate a property in the UK if needed. Check with Comparis.ch to see if you're eligible.

How We Help Swiss Residents Like You

At Expat Property Investments, we specialise in hands-off investment services. That means we handle the whole process: from bespoke investment property sourcing (tailored to your goals) to property analysis & opinion reports, location selector data models, and even scenario analysis for expats and non-residents.

Dan, our in-house expat property expert, splits his time between Switzerland and the UK. He personally oversees each case to make sure you’re not just buying a property, he makes sure you’re buying the right one.

If you want to explore how we can help, contact us anytime for a no-pressure chat.

“I have been extremely happy with the service that has been provided by Expat Property Investments. Dan From Expat Property Investments treated my UK property investment like it was his own, ensuring that I was making the right choices."

British Client Based in Zurich

Final Thoughts

As a Swiss resident, you absolutely can invest in UK property. There are some added lender hurdles and tax considerations, but with the right team, they’re entirely manageable.

Whether you want us to handle everything or just guide you through key decisions, we have tools, services, and human expertise ready to help.

Curious? Ready? Just want to brainstorm with Dan? Contact us here and let’s explore what’s possible for you.