If something unites almost all of us who have been in Switzerland for a while, it is the experience of looking for an apartment. It doesn't matter if you speak four languages, have a decent salary and impeccable references: the rental market remains one of the most tense in Europe and in 2026 it has not improved. The housing vacancy rate, that is, the percentage of available apartments out of the total, is at historically low levels, especially in large cities. In Zurich and Geneva, finding a rental apartment under reasonable conditions is a test of psychological endurance rather than a rational process. Demand clearly exceeds supply and prices have been rising for years without significant pauses. A three-bedroom apartment in an average city like Bern, Lausanne or Basel can easily cost around 2,000 to 2,500 francs per month. In Zurich or Geneva the figure rises much higher. To this we must add the security deposit, which in Switzerland can reach three months' rent, the first month in advance and, in many cases, the need to justify income that triples the monthly rent. What many newcomers do not calculate is time. Finding a suitable apartment can take months, and during that period you must have intermediate solutions planned: shared rooms, sublets or temporary accommodation. The most used platforms are Homegate, ImmoScout24 and Comparis, although for the best apartments in stressed cities it is also worth checking the notice boards of large institutional owners such as Losinger Marazzi, Implenia or housing cooperatives, which do not always publish on the usual portals. And yes, being on cooperative waiting lists can make sense if you plan to stay long-term, although the wait can be measured in years. ---
Finding an apartment in Switzerland in 2026: welcome to the most frustrating sport in the country
Community guide based on recent and verified experiences.