Switzerland real estate sector faces new money laundering regulations

Switzerland's real estate industry faces significant regulatory changes following a revision of the Money Laundering Act (GwG), set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

For the first time, specific advisory activities related to real estate transactions will be explicitly brought under the scope of the Money Laundering Act. Previously, pure mediation and advisory roles in real estate were generally exempt unless they involved financial intermediary activities.

This legislative shift imposes new obligations on market participants, particularly independent real estate brokers, who must now implement stricter customer identification and documentation processes. Daniel Ittig of the Swiss Real Estate Academy noted that many market participants are currently unaware of these new legal requirements and the associated risks. Non-compliance may result in regulatory sanctions or criminal consequences.