Switzerland sees further drop in availability of housing

The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has released the latest data on vacant houses and apartments in Switzerland. The number of available homes has declined for a fifth year in a row.

Vacancy rate continues to fall in Switzerland

According to the FSO report, on June 1, 2025, there were 48.455 vacant homes in Switzerland, a 6,8 percent decrease (or 3.519 houses) compared to 2024. This is the fifth year in a row that the number of vacant homes has declined.

The report reveals that vacant homes make up just 1 percent of the total number of houses and apartments available in Switzerland, a drop of 0,8 percent compared to June 2024. 

Regional differences in number of apartments available 

There was also a decline in the availability of vacant apartments for sale across all parts of Switzerland. The biggest changes were in Ticino where the vacancy rate decreased from 2,08 percent to 1,92 percent compared to 2024, and the Lake Geneva Region (Geneva, Vaud and Valais), which declined from 0,96 percent to 0,83 percent.

The report found that the Swiss cantons with the lowest vacancy rates were Geneva (0,34 percent), Zug (0,42 percent) and Zurich (0,48 percent). The highest vacancy rates were in the cantons of Jura (3,03 percent) and Solothurn (2,05 percent). 

Fewer apartments and homes available to buy in Switzerland

The latest figures show that there are also fewer apartments available to rent compared to previous years. On June 1, there were 37.194 unoccupied apartments for rent, an 8 percent decrease compared to last year. 

The number of apartments that were either unoccupied or available to buy decreased by 2,5 percent compared to 2024, with 11.261 apartments available across the country. There were 3.959 empty new-build apartments available for long-term rent or purchase, 6 percent fewer compared to 2024. There were also 6.797 unoccupied or available to buy single-family houses, a slight decrease of 0,4 percent compared to the previous year.

In 2024, the Swiss government shared plans to tackle the housing crisis as rental costs and house prices have continued to rise. Despite this, the number of apartments and homes available in Switzerland continues to decline.