Updated on 18 August 2026 — by the sales team of Michaud SA, a real estate agency in Verbier since 1966.
Since 1 January 2016, the Federal Law on Second Homes (LRS, known as "Lex Weber") prohibits the construction of new second homes in municipalities where they exceed 20% of the housing stock. The Val de Bagnes — and therefore Verbier — is well above this threshold. As a direct consequence, in Verbier, a second home is bought in the existing building. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
What is the Lex Weber?
The Lex Weber is the common name of the federal law on second homes, born from the popular initiative of the same name led by the ecologist Franz Weber and narrowly accepted (50.6% of the votes) on 11 March 2012. A second home within the meaning of the law is a dwelling that is neither occupied year-round by a person domiciled in the municipality, nor permanently assigned to tourist accommodation. Swiss municipalities must count their share of second homes every year: above 20%, the axe falls.
What does the Lex Weber say?
The LRS was adopted on 11 March 2012 and entered into force on 1 January 2016. It caps the proportion of second homes per municipality at 20%. In municipalities above the threshold, no new classic second homes can be authorised: new dwellings must be primary residences or dwellings assigned to qualified tourist accommodation.
What it changes in concrete terms in Verbier
The second home market in Verbier is now entirely based on existing housing. Chalets and apartments created before 11 March 2012 – known as "according to the old law" – remain freely usable as a second home: you can buy them, live in them at your own pace, rent them out or resell them without any restrictions on use linked to the LRS.
Why "old rights" assets are increasing in value
The supply of second homes is now frozen: there are hardly any more being created, while the demand for Verbier remains strong. This structural scarcity sustains the value of existing properties — a key point to integrate into your buying and selling thinking.
Investing in Verbier despite — or thanks to — the Lex Weber
For a real estate investment in Verbier, the law has paradoxically strengthened the attractiveness of the existing stock: the supply is capped in a resort whose international demand is not weakening. An old right apartment can be rented by the week or by the season without restriction, generate a rental yield and resell freely. In new construction, housing used for tourist accommodation offers a regulated alternative: it must be rented out on a long-term basis, generally via a professional operating structure.
And to build or transform?
Dwellings created under the old law may be renovated and, within certain limits set by law (around 30% of the main usable area), extended. Primary residences can still be built. Each project is evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the municipality — our team will guide you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still buy a second home in Verbier?
Yes — in the existing fleet. The Lex Weber prohibits the creation of new second homes, not the purchase or sale of pre-2012 housing, which makes up the bulk of Verbier's market.
Can a buyer domiciled abroad buy in Verbier?
Another law applies (LFAIE, known as "Lex Koller"): the acquisition of a holiday home by a person domiciled abroad remains possible in Verbier within the framework of cantonal authorisations and quotas. Each situation deserves personalized advice.
Does the Lex Weber apply to rentals?
No: renting an existing dwelling by the week or by the season is not affected by the LRS. It provides a framework for the creation of new housing, not the rental use of the existing stock.
Can you rent your second home in Verbier?
Yes, without any restrictions linked to the LRS: an old right dwelling can be occupied, lent or rented by the week or by the season. Our rental service takes care of everything, including tourist tax.
Can you buy a new apartment in Verbier?
Yes, but under conditions: new housing is either main residence (occupied by people domiciled in the municipality) or housing used for tourist accommodation, with the obligation to rent out on a long-term basis. For a classic second home, the market focuses on what already exists.
Are you planning to buy in Verbier?
Check out our properties for sale in Verbier and the Val de Bagnes, our FAQs on buying a property and our property valuation service. Since 1966, Michaud SA has been supporting buyers and sellers in this unique market.
Sources: Federal Law on Second Homes of 20 March 2015 (LRS, RS 702); Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE).