The luxury Alpine resort of Andermatt in Switzerland has received a surprising surge in American investment this year, with the Financial Times reporting that the surge is linked to a change in the political situation. JAV – With Donald Trump back in office, wealthy Americans began looking for safer ways to protect their assets.
In the face of political tension, the road to the mountains
From January to early April 2025, Andermatt developers received more than 1260 inquiries from US citizens about purchasing real estate. During this period alone, Americans purchased or made down payments on properties here worth 14,2 million Swiss francs (about 17,4 million US dollars) - almost double the amount spent in the entire previous year.
Much of this buying took place before Easter, a period when the Trump administration's decisions caused considerable anxiety in financial markets, as investors began to look to Switzerland as a symbol of stability.
Resort with an exception – an opportunity for the elite
Andermatt is one of the few places in Switzerland where special exemptions allow foreigners to buy real estate without the usual restrictions, a move that is increasingly being taken up by wealthy Americans. One New York millionaire admitted that Trump's return to power was "one of the main factors" in his decision to invest in Switzerland.
The resort is being developed by businessman Samih Sawiris and his company Orascom. The project, worth 1,8 billion francs, includes hotels, restaurants, a golf course, all just two hours from Zurich.
Franc rises, dollar trembles
Russell Collins, commercial director of Andermatt Swiss Alps, says that interest from the US began to grow in 2022, when the project was taken over by American company Vail Resorts. But this year's activity is exceptional. "The statistics in recent weeks resemble a hockey stick graph - a sharp jump up," says Collins.
In turn, the Swiss franc has strengthened by 11% against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, which only further encourages Americans to choose this country as a safe haven for their capital.
While the US political scene is once again boiling with passion, the Swiss Alps are quietly becoming the new elite haven - a place where wealth and peace seem more guaranteed than anywhere else.
