If you are planning a move from London, Chicago, Mumbai or Singapore, the first practical question is often simple: where will we sleep when the plane lands? Temporary housing in Switzerland answers that. It is a furnished home, rented for a limited period, that gives you a base while you look for something longer.
This page explains what temporary housing means here, how it differs from a normal lease, what you can arrange on your own and when a relocation company can help. Relocation Swiss is a matching service: we do not rent homes ourselves. We pass your request to a relocation company that fits your situation.
What "temporary housing" means in Switzerland
Most Swiss rentals are unfurnished and come with a long lease. Temporary housing is the opposite: furniture, bedding, kitchen items and often internet are already there, and the contract is short and flexible.
Common forms include:
- Serviced apartments, run like a small hotel with cleaning and a front desk.
- Furnished studios and apartments let by private owners for a defined period.
- Corporate housing, arranged through an employer for a relocating employee.
- Short-term sublets, usually shorter and more informal.
For a closer look at the furnished option, see furnished and temporary housing for your first weeks.
Why newcomers choose it
Picture a family of four arriving from Toronto. The parents have jobs lined up, the children will start school, and nobody has seen a Swiss apartment in person. Viewings, applications and rental files take time. A furnished base removes the pressure to accept the first flat that appears.
Other reasons people give:
- Their belongings are still on a ship or in storage.
- A child needs to start school while the family looks at neighborhoods.
- One partner arrives first, the other follows later.
- They want to test a city before committing to a lease.
The rhythm of a typical stay
Official steps that start the moment you arrive
A temporary address still counts as where you live. Arrival registration with the municipality is generally due within 14 days, and you usually bring an identity document, your residence or work permit and proof of health insurance (ch.ch). The exact rules can vary by commune and canton, so the local office confirms the details.
Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence. If the deadline is met, cover is backdated to the date you took up residence (FOPH). Because these dates run from arrival, many people line up their furnished base first and handle paperwork in the days that follow.
Whether a short-term place is accepted as a registration address can depend on the commune and the contract. Ask the municipality before you sign.
Doing it on your own or with a relocation company
Many people search alone, and that is a reasonable choice. The table below sets out the main differences in practice.
If your plans are uncertain, a company can also bundle other help, such as a home search service or an orientation visit to see the city first. For a wider view of what is on offer, read about relocation services for people, and use the guide on how to choose a relocation agency.
What temporary housing costs, in general terms
Prices depend heavily on city, size, season and length of stay, and we do not quote them. For context on the longer-term market, the average net monthly rent for tenant households in Switzerland was CHF 1,485 in 2024, excluding charges (Federal Statistical Office, FSO). Furnished and short-term places are typically priced differently from that average, so treat it only as a reference point for lasting leases.
To compare options fairly, ask what the monthly price includes: utilities, internet, cleaning, bed linen, parking and a deposit.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is the place furnished with everything a household needs, or only basics?
- What is the minimum and maximum stay, and can it be extended?
- Can the address be used to register with the municipality?
- What notice is needed to leave early?
- Are utilities, internet and cleaning included?
- Are pets or children accommodated?
- How is the deposit handled and returned?
- Who do you contact if something breaks?
Use the rental file check to see how ready your paperwork is for the lasting lease that follows.
How the request works here
- You describe your move on the form at the bottom of the page: city, dates, household and budget range.
- Your request is read and matched to a relocation company that handles temporary housing in that area.
- That company contacts you for a first conversation, where you can ask about options, terms and next steps.
You decide whether to go ahead. Authorities, landlords and companies make their own decisions, so nothing here is assured in advance. For the bigger picture, the sample timeline and the relocation calendar show where a temporary stay sits in the whole move. If you are weighing cities, the city comparator helps, and families can look at support for your partner and family.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in temporary housing?
It depends on the contract. Some places let by the week, others by the month, and many allow extensions if the unit is free. Ask for the minimum and maximum stay before booking.
Is temporary housing furnished?
Usually yes. Furniture, bedding, a kitchen set and often internet are included, but the exact list varies, so check the inventory.
Can I register with the municipality from a furnished rental?
Often, but it depends on the commune and the contract. Registration is generally due within 14 days of arrival (ch.ch), so ask the local office early.
Does temporary housing change when I need health insurance?
No. Basic health insurance is compulsory within three months of taking up residence (FOPH). A temporary address does not move that date.
Is a short-term rental cheaper than a normal lease?
Not usually. Furnished and flexible stays are priced for that flexibility. A relocation company or the landlord can explain what is included.
Can my family and pets stay too?
Some places welcome children and pets, others do not. Confirm this in writing, along with any extra deposit.
Do I need to be in Switzerland to book?
Many people arrange it from abroad using photos, floor plans and video calls. A company can help with this when you cannot visit.
Is temporary housing only for people with a job in Switzerland?
No. Employees, partners, retirees and students all use it. Your permit situation is a separate question handled by the authorities, and the immigration support page explains how help is arranged.
Can I start my apartment search from a temporary home?
Yes, that is the usual purpose. You can attend viewings, learn neighborhoods and prepare your file. See home search for the steps.
What happens when the temporary stay ends?
You hand back the keys, settle the final bill and move into your new address. Some people also use settling-in help for the changeover.
How do I begin?
Send the short request at the bottom of the page. The first step is a conversation with a matched relocation company.