Swiss Property Foreclosure Auctions (SHAB / FOSC): Art. 126 SchKG & Canton Guide
Executive Summary · Direct Answer
Investor guide to Swiss debt-enforcement and bankruptcy real estate auctions across all 26 cantons (Zurich, Geneva, Vaud, Ticino, Zug): SHAB notices, Art. 126 SchKG coverage rule, Lex Koller, and FINMA bank guarantees.
Key Verification Points at a Glance
- 01All forced real estate auctions across Switzerland's 26 cantons are published officially in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SHAB / FOSC / FUSC).
- 02Under Art. 126 SchKG (Coverage Principle), there is no fixed percentage floor — the winning bid simply needs to exceed prior-ranking mortgage claims ahead of the enforcing creditor.
- 03Bidders must provide an immediate down payment via a FINMA-licensed Swiss bank cheque or advance wire transfer to the local Betreibungsamt / Konkursamt.
Understanding Swiss SHAB Auctions, Double Call (Art. 142 SchKG) & Lex Koller
Swiss auctions are conducted by municipal or district Debt Enforcement Offices (Betreibungsämter) and Bankruptcy Offices (Konkursämter). Ten days prior to the auction, the schedule of encumbrances (Lastenverzeichnis) and auction terms are opened for inspection.
Cantonal transfer taxes range from ~0.2% in Zurich and Zug to 2.2% in Vaud and 3.0% in Geneva. Non-resident foreign buyers acquiring residential property must verify Lex Koller (BewG) quota rules before bidding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How are Swiss foreclosure auctions priced without a 50% statutory minimum?
When a first-ranking mortgage bank enforces its claim (or in a second bankruptcy auction), the minimum coverage threshold can drop to administrative costs alone, enabling substantial discounts below official valuation.