What are good strategies for finding an apartment in Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland?

Search apartments for rent in Switzerland

If you have recently moved to Geneva or Zurich, or maybe are planning to move there, it is helpful to understand the housing market in Switzerland. There are different ways to go about your housing search, and you may be asking “What are good strategies for finding an apartment in Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland?”. Here we give you some information and tips to make  your hunt for an apartment easier. 

The housing markets in Geneva and Zurich are currently pressured by a strong demand, and a shortage of supply. This means that there are much more people searching for apartments, and needing a place to stay, than there are available apartments on the market. For these two expensive cities in Switzerland, it is even harder to find a good place to live in a short time due to the high prices and level of competition. Even though there is high demand for apartments in Geneva and Zurich, these cities also have many international workers that only come to live for a shorter period, and as such apartments become available quite frequently, especially during the period between April to July when people relocate during summer and go on holidays.

The most important thing to remember for any housing hunt strategy is to be fast. Always contact an apartment you find interesting right away, it is usually best to call directly to the landlord or company and book a viewing. The housing market is very much controlled by real estate agents that manage properties for their owners. When dealing with professional companies it is recommended to have all your paperwork prepared so you can show a work or study permit, an overview of your finances and perhaps some references from previous landlords. Another strategy is to use local online housing portals, or international ones such as housingtarget.com where you get an overview of all available apartments on the market right now.