History of the Swiss cadastral system

Tithe maps were already being produced in the 17th century for the collection of taxes (or tithes, as they were called). In the short-lived Helvetic Republic, the idea of a nationwide cadastral survey was initially conceived at the political level in approximately 1800. The necessary legal bases were created in 1912. This led to the changeover from a tax-based to a legal-rights-based cadastre. Since then, the Swiss cadastral system has been characterised by methodological freedom, digitalisation and various additions. Today, it not only secures landownership, but also generates reliable geodata that can be used in a broad variety of ways.

1650 to 1840: The early days of the Swiss cadastral system

The earliest cadastral maps were produced for tax collection purposes. Until the middle of the 19th century, surveys were carried out differently from canton to canton.

From 1920: Methodological freedom to facilitate a comprehensive cadastral survey

Technological developments gave rise to methodological freedom and digitalisation in the cadastral survey. The aim was to achieve comprehensive coverage through the national survey programme.

From 2019: Additions to the Swiss cadastral system

A supply lines cadastre is to be added to the Swiss cadastral system alongside the cadastral survey, land registry and PLR Cadastre.

1841–1923: From surveyors concordat to federal land register survey

With the aim of protecting landownership, the federal government and the cantons assumed joint responsibility for the cadastral survey, which was originally organised at the cantonal level.

From 1993: New basis for the cadastral system

With the new legal provisions, the cadastral survey was now to be based on georeference data, for the protection of landownership and many other purposes.