Looking for a home in Switzerland from another country is hard to do well. You cannot walk into a viewing on a Tuesday afternoon, and local landlords often want a complete file before they will even reply. A home search service exists to close that gap. This page explains what such a service usually covers, what you can still do yourself, and how to decide which route fits your move.
Relocation Swiss does not search for homes itself. We connect you with the relocation companies that do this work every day, and, depending on your request, we put you in touch with the one that matches your needs.
What "home search" usually means
The phrase covers a chain of small jobs. A provider may take on all of them or only some:
- Clarifying your needs: number of rooms, area, commute, school, pets, budget.
- Finding listings, including ones that never reach public portals.
- Booking and attending viewings, sometimes with a video call so you can follow along.
- Preparing and submitting your application file (see the rental application file landlords expect).
- Reading the lease with you and explaining the Swiss terms.
- Handling the handover of the apartment and its condition report.
Some families hire the whole chain. Others only ask for help with viewings, or with the file. Both are normal.
How a search unfolds, step by step
Here is the usual order, from your home country to the keys.
Notice that nothing here needs you to be in Switzerland until the end. That is the main reason people hire help.
With a provider or on your own
Neither route is better for everyone. The table below shows how they differ in practice.
The cost line is deliberately general. Fees differ by provider and by scope, so ask for a clear written description of what is included before you agree to anything.
What you can safely do alone
You do not need a service for everything. Many people handle these parts themselves:
- Browse public listings to get a feel for neighborhoods and rents.
- Use the rental file check to see whether your documents are complete.
- Read our guide to renting your first home.
- Compare towns with the city comparator.
To set a realistic budget, it helps to know the national picture. The average net monthly rent for tenant households, excluding utilities, was CHF 1,485 in 2024 (Federal Statistical Office, FSO). This is only an order of magnitude: rents in big cities and popular lakeside towns are often different, so treat it as a starting point.
When help makes sense
Think about a service if one or more of these sounds like you:
- You start work soon and cannot travel for viewings.
- You are moving with children and the home must fit a school plan (see school search).
- You are arriving from far away, for example from Japan or from Singapore, and the time difference makes calls with landlords hard.
- Your employer is relocating you and wants a single point of contact.
- You do not yet know the local rental culture and fear missing a step.
Example: a couple moving from Toronto with a toddler has two weeks of leave. They cannot spend it traveling between viewings. A provider shortlists places near a daycare, attends the viewings, and sends photos and notes each evening, so the couple can decide together over a call. This is a fictional example, but it shows the idea.
Timing and the steps after you find a home
Finding the apartment is only part of the story. After you arrive, you must register with the municipality. The usual deadline is 14 days after arrival, and you typically bring an ID, your residence or work permit and proof of health insurance (ch.ch). The exact rules can vary by municipality or canton, so confirm with yours.
Health insurance matters as well. Anyone living in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance no later than three months after taking up residence (Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH). If you meet that deadline, cover is backdated to your arrival date.
If you need somewhere to stay while the search continues, read about temporary housing. Once you have the keys, settling-in help can cover the first weeks.
Questions to ask a provider
- Which steps exactly are included, and which are extra?
- Who attends the viewings, and do I get a written report?
- Do you search only public listings, or other sources too?
- How do you handle the application file and my personal data?
- What happens if no suitable home is found within the period we agreed?
- Who is my contact person, and how fast do they reply?
A good provider answers these plainly. Our guide on how to choose a relocation agency goes deeper.
How the match works here
You describe your move in the request at the bottom of the page. We read it, work out which type of help fits, and put you in touch with a relocation company that suits your situation. Then you have a first conversation and decide whether to go further. Nothing is decided for you, and the authorities, not providers, grant permits. For the permit side, see immigration support or the permit finder.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find a home in Switzerland before I arrive?
Yes, many people do. With a good file and someone attending viewings for you, a signed lease before arrival is possible, though it depends on the market and the landlord.
Do I need a permit before I can rent?
It depends on the landlord and the canton. Some ask for proof of your right to live in Switzerland, others accept a work contract. A specialist can look at your situation.
What does a home search service not do?
It does not decide for you, grant permits or guarantee a result. Landlords choose their tenants, and the final choice is always yours.
Is the service the same as a moving company?
No. A home search service finds and secures the place. Moving your belongings is a separate service, although some providers offer both.
Can I join viewings by video?
Often yes. Many providers use live video so that you can ask questions during the visit. Ask this at the first conversation.
What documents will a landlord expect?
Usually an ID, proof of income or an employment contract, and a debt collection extract. See the rental application file for details.
Can the service also help with schools?
Some providers combine both. Others handle only housing. A separate school search exists for families who need it.
Should I look at buying instead?
Buying is possible for foreigners but follows different rules. Read buying a home as a foreigner before deciding.
Can I use the service if I only need a few viewings?
Yes. Scope is flexible with many providers. Say clearly that you only want help with part of the process.
How do I start?
Send the request at the bottom of the page, or begin with the request page. Tell us about your household, your timeline and your preferred area.