No. Squatting is illegal in Switzerland under the Swiss Criminal Code (Art. 186), with penalties including fines and imprisonment. Civil law (Art. 641 Civil Code) reinforces property rights, while local authorities enforce evictions under cantonal regulations. Recent 2026 compliance shifts tighten penalties for unauthorized occupation of residential and commercial properties.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Switzerland
- Criminal Liability (Art. 186 SCC): Unauthorized occupation of property constitutes “housebreaking” (Hausfriedensbruch), punishable by up to three years imprisonment or fines. Aggravating factors (e.g., damage, violence) escalate penalties.
- Civil Eviction (Art. 641 CC): Property owners may seek immediate eviction via cantonal courts without prior notice. Cantonal police forces execute removals under civil procedure codes (e.g., Zurich’s SchKG).
- Cantonal Variations: Some cantons (e.g., Geneva, Vaud) impose stricter enforcement, including preemptive property monitoring by municipal authorities. Zurich’s 2025 pilot program mandates landlord reporting of vacant properties to deter squatting.
Local authorities, such as the Service de la sécurité publique in Geneva or Stadtpolizei Zürich, collaborate with cantonal courts to prioritize swift removals. The 2026 revision of the Ordonnance sur les infractions à la propriété further criminalizes accessory acts (e.g., utility tampering), aligning with EU anti-squatting directives. Property owners must proactively secure vacant premises or face accelerated legal proceedings.