An authorisation to purchase must be obtained from the Cantonal Authorities and from the Federal Department of Justice and Police, through a Notary (in Switzerland they are Public Officers). The non-Swiss may only buy one property of maximum 200 square metres of habitable space per family in Switzerland : family defined as husband and wife and/or under-age children. Under Swiss Law, an owner or his family may occupy their apartment for up to six months per year. (Twice three months) The accommodation cannot be rented on an annual basis (maximum 11 months and one week) as an owner is supposed to use his property for at least three weeks of the year. No authorisation is required for the purchase of a principal residence if the buyer has a B-permit. EU citizens with a residence permit B and all foreigners with a residence permit C can buy as many properties as they want. They are considered in this respect equal to Swiss citizens.