What regulations have been amended by the Federal Council?

The Federal Council approved an amendment to the Ordinance on the Federal Inventory of Swiss Settlements to be Protected (OISOS) and the Ordinance on Territorial Planning (OPT). This decision, taken during the session of 18 September 2026 by the Federal Department of the Interior, makes it possible to clarify the application of the ISOs and to simplify and speed up the processing of numerous planning and construction projects throughout Switzerland.

When will the new provisions come into force?

The new provisions will come into force on 1 November 2026. At the same time, the new surveys relating to the Canton of Graubünden will also come into force, which include the settlements of Hinterrhein, Jenaz and Vals-Platz, while the settlement of Roveredo has been formally removed from the federal inventory. From the same date, the updated data will be accessible on the official geoportal of the Confederation map.geo.admin.ch and on gisos.bak.admin.ch.

What are the subsequent objectives and deadlines of the reform?

The primary objective is to remove bureaucratic obstacles that slowed down procedures in the Municipalities and Cantons, finding a better balance between the protection of cultural heritage, quality centripetal development, the construction of new housing and the energy transition. By the end of 2028, the Federal Department of the Interior will submit an official evaluation report to verify whether the objectives of simplification and acceleration of procedures have been fully achieved.

The Federal Council improves the application of ISOs (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 21 September 2026

OISOS and OPT amendments approved by the Swiss Federal Council

Approve the changes to OISOS and OPT by the Federal Council to simplify and speed up building projects in Switzerland from 1 November 2026.

Context

In a nutshell

Amendments approved on 18 September 2026
New provisions in force from 1 November 2026
Expected impact report by the end of 2028

Key facts

What: Edit OISOS and opt Date: September 18, 2026 Entry into force: 1 November 2026 Competence: Federal Department of the Interior

At its meeting on 18 September 2026, the Federal Council approved an amendment to the Ordinance on the Federal Inventory of Swiss Settlements to be Protected (OISOS) and the Ordinance on Spatial Planning (OPT). This decision makes it possible to clarify the application of the ISOs and to simplify and speed up the processing of numerous planning and construction projects throughout Switzerland. At the same time, the federal executive has adopted the latest updates of the ISOs in the Canton of Graubünden. With this intervention, the Federal Council offers a concrete response to the practical problems encountered so far in the application of the requirements regarding the protection of settlements. The new provisions aim to make planning and authorisation procedures simpler and faster, without disproportionately limiting the protection of cultural heritage and historic settlements. The executive highlighted how the primary objective is to remove bureaucratic obstacles that slowed down procedures in the Municipalities and Cantons.

The path of public consultation

The proposed changes to OISOS and OPT

Operational details

The amendments approved by the Federal Council respond to the fundamental need to reconcile the rigorous protection of historical settlements of national importance with the current challenges of urban and energy development. To date, the application of protection regulations often generated administrative delays and legal uncertainties in cantons and municipalities during the review of construction projects. With the revision of the ordinances, a better balance is established between the protection of cultural heritage, quality centripetal development, the urgent need to build new housing to meet housing demand, and the strategic objectives linked to the energy transition. This regulatory evolution offers real estate operators, designers, and local administrations clearer rules for managing urban densification projects and the energy retrofitting of existing buildings located within protected perimeters.

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Key points

The operational phase following the approval of the amendments involves constant monitoring of the impact of the new rules in the field. The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) has been tasked with monitoring and evaluating the actual impact of the provisions in the daily practice of local authorities and operators. By the end of 2028, the FDHA will present an official evaluation report to the Federal Council to verify whether the objectives of simplifying and accelerating procedures have been fully achieved without compromising the protection of Swiss architectural heritage. For planning professionals, municipalities, and property owners involved in construction projects in protected areas, the immediate deadlines concern the entry into force set for November 1, 2026, the date from which the new interest-weighting criteria and updated provisions for the Canton of Graubünden will apply.

Planning tools and resources

To learn more about issues related to spatial planning, building regulations, and real estate management in Switzerland, you can consult the official federal portals and dedicated guides on residency and the national real estate market. For a complete picture of housing costs and the dynamics of the Swiss real estate market, it is advisable to consult the in-depth analyses on the cost of living via cost of living.

Source: admin.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What regulations have been amended by the Federal Council?: The Federal Council approved an amendment to the Ordinance on the Federal Inventory of Swiss Settlements to be Protected (OISOS) and the Ordinance on Territorial Planning (OPT). This decision, taken during the session of 18 September 2026 by the Federal Department of the Interior, makes it possible to clarify the application of the ISOs and to simplify and speed up the processing of numerous planning and construction projects throughout Switzerland.
When will the new provisions come into force?: The new provisions will come into force on 1 November 2026. At the same time, the new surveys relating to the Canton of Graubünden will also come into force, which include the settlements of Hinterrhein, Jenaz and Vals-Platz, while the settlement of Roveredo has been formally removed from the federal inventory. From the same date, the updated data will be accessible on the official geoportal of the Confederation map.geo.admin.ch and on gisos.bak.admin.ch.
What are the subsequent objectives and deadlines of the reform?: The primary objective is to remove bureaucratic obstacles that slowed down procedures in the Municipalities and Cantons, finding a better balance between the protection of cultural heritage, quality centripetal development, the construction of new housing and the energy transition. By the end of 2028, the Federal Department of the Interior will submit an official evaluation report to verify whether the objectives of simplification and acceleration of procedures have been fully achieved.