Most expats start with renting a house or apartment when they first come to Switzerland. The requirements for buying a house in Switzerland mean that this option is not open to most expats for at least a few years.
However, the rental market in Switzerland has many options for expats. The guides in this section walk you through the necessities of renting in Switzerland, with information on rental contracts and deposits, subletting, student housing, and moving house.
The Swiss rental market is characterised by a vast range of prices for property. Although cheaper places are viable to live in for expats due to excellent public transport, most expats still choose to live near or in a city in Switzerland, where prices are higher, especialy in cities like Zurich, Bern, Basel, Geneva, and Lucerne.
Most rental properties include basic utilities as part of the total rent or as an additional fee.
In Switzerland, there are many different types of housing that expats can call home. If you are looking for a house or apartment in Switzerland, it is important to know what is available and what type of accommodation is best to suit your needs. Expats can choose between:
Note that you may see advertisements on housing websites for Bastelraum, WG or Parkplatz. Be advised that these are not housing types but rooms or parking spaces. Bastelraum and WG are rooms that can be rented out for hobbies or for working in, they cannot be lived in. A Parkplatz is a parking space; it is not uncommon for people in cities to rent out a parking space to others.
When looking for somewhere to rent in Switzerland, most people will probably already have a specific city or area in mind. To narrow down your search, you should consider the following factors:
If you only need accommodation in Switzerland for a short period of time, you could consider a short-term rental. These apartments do not require a long-term contract and can be accessed without a residence permit or specific visa. Short-stay accommodation is a convenient choice for shorter trips away, giving you the independence of your own home with the comfort of a hotel.
The Swiss system of renting accommodation places the responsibility of writing and agreeing to rental contracts solely on the landlord and the prospective tenant. When you are renting for the first time, it is important to know what to expect from your rental contract, know what obligations you have to the landlord, and what your rights are to cancel or terminate your rental contract.
In order to rent a house, apartment or room in Switzerland, you will almost certainly have to pay a rental deposit. This deposit is designed to cover any (potential) mistreatment of the property by the tenant, as well as cover any damage or maintenance that cannot be explained by regular wear and tear. Although most deposits are returned in full at the end of the tenancy, it is good to understand the circumstances in which your landlord can withhold your deposit, to try to avoid this happening.
If you plan to take an extended trip away from Switzerland, or you no longer need as much space, you can consider subletting. Subletting is where you accept a tenant to live in your house or in a room in your house for a fixed period of time. This can be a great way of making money on your property while you are not using it. Bear in mind that only some landlords will allow subletting, and it is vital that you know what your responsibilities as a subletter are.
Universities in Switzerland have built a reputation for high-quality education and student life. Many Swiss universities often break The Times top 100 rankings of universities in the world, with most also providing courses in English. If you are looking to come to Switzerland for education, student housing is available, with each type offering different levels of student community and privacy.
If you move house in Switzerland, it is vital that you inform your local authorities that you are moving. Our guide to changing address in Switzerland explains who you need to inform, and how to do it.