Swiss Property Market Continues to Grow

Expats in Switzerland are continuing to feel the benefits of Switzerland’s healthy property market as it enters it’s tenth year of consecutive growth.

London, UK (Pryce Warner International) May 4th, 2011 – IPD, Switzerland’s Annual Property Index, reported that in 2010 the value of properties in Switzerland grew by 1.4%, cementing the country’s reputation as a reliable location for property investment.

Switzerland has proven to be the most durable of Europe’s housing market’s through the global recession, delivering an improved annual total return of 6.1% last year, 60 basis points ahead of 2009’s 5.5% and matching the return of 2008.

The Swiss property market has a long history of stability, driven primarily by limited supply and institutional investors that opt for long-term strategies. With few people aiming to play the market purely as an investment, Switzerland has managed to maintain a steady and stable growth, without the boom and bust conditions of so many other nations.

The study showed that Zurich and Lausanne were the top performing regions for residential properties, while Geneva was the strongest performing region for office properties.

Another study found that interest in the Swiss property market has risen by over 174% in the past two years, no doubt due to the stable market conditions and Switzerland’s reputation as a tax friendly country.

Expats in particular are seeking to relocate in greater numbers to Switzerland, no doubt due to the above factors.

It is a particularly good country to relocate too not only for the stable property market, but also because there are numerous opportunities to reduce tax burden and set up preferential overseas pensions.

David Harra, a Senior Market & Investment Analyst with Pryce Warner International Group, a Respected Financial Services Group who are specialists in the Provision of Pension Plan & Asset Management for Expatriates Worldwide commented: “The Swiss property market has shown remarkable resilience considering the relative strain Spain and France have felt due to the global recession. Expats considering moving or retiring abroad would do well to consider Switzerland, as in addition to the strong property market Expats are also eligible for tax wrappers like QNUPS & QROPS that can potentially greatly reduce their tax burden.”

Pryce Warner International Group provide International Asset & Investment Management, Independent Financial Advice & QROPS Overseas Pensions.

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By: Aneil Fatania
Financial Editor
Pryce Warner International Group
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