Host State Act (HSA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 16 Acquisition of land and buildings
1 Institutional beneficiaries within the meaning of Article 2 paragraph 1 may acquire land and buildings for the purposes of their official activities. The area of the property concerned must not exceed what is necessary for those purposes. 2 The acquirer must submit an application to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (the Department) and a copy of the same to the relevant authority in the canton concerned. 3 The Department shall consult the relevant authority in the canton concerned and verify that the acquirer is an institutional beneficiary within the meaning of Article 2 paragraph 1, and that the acquisition is for official purposes. It shall then issue a ruling. Approval of the application is conditional on the necessary authorisations, i.e. building permits and safety clearance being obtained from the competent authorities. 4 Entry in the land register of an acquisition of land or buildings within the meaning of paragraph 1 above is conditional on approval having been giv
Art. 17 Definitions
1 The acquisition of land and buildings is understood to be any acquisition of a title to a building, part of a building or a piece of land, a right of habitation or a usufruct to a building or a part thereof, or the acquisition of other rights which confer on the holder equivalent status to that of owner, such as a long-term lease of land or buildings if the terms of such lease go beyond the scope of practice in civil matters. 2 A change of use is deemed an acquisition for these purposes. 3 Land and buildings for official purposes are buildings or parts of buildings together with the curtilage thereof which are used for the purpose of carrying out the official activities of the institutional beneficiary.