Furnished apartments in Switzerland solve one specific problem: your transferee must live somewhere before a permanent home can be found, signed and handed over. This page explains what the market offers, how to match a format to an assignment, and which decisions drive the final cost.
It is written for the HR or mobility manager who sets the policy. It does not replace the long-term search, which is covered in the apartment search guide.
Why furnished housing comes first
A permanent lease in Switzerland is rarely signed from abroad on the first attempt. Landlords and property managers (régies, Verwaltungen) ask for a full application file, and many prefer to meet or at least verify the applicant. Your employee will usually need a bridge.
Furnished housing also protects the start date. Your transferee can begin work without waiting for a lease, a delivery of household goods or a handover date.
The bridge has three jobs:
- give your employee a fixed address for registration and mail;
- keep the family housed while the permanent search runs;
- avoid a rushed lease signed only because the hotel bill is rising.
The main formats
Terminology varies by operator. The categories below describe how the product works, not any named provider.
Serviced apartments
A serviced apartment is a furnished flat with hotel-style services, such as cleaning and a reception. It suits short stays and single transferees. The all-in rate is simple to budget, but it is usually the highest per night.
Furnished flats on a standard lease
Some landlords let fully furnished flats directly, with a contract close to an ordinary tenancy. This is often better value for a longer bridge. The trade-off is less flexibility: notice terms follow the contract, not your assignment calendar.
Corporate housing
Corporate housing is a block of furnished units leased by a provider and sublet to companies. Your company contracts once and can rotate employees through the units. The model is covered in detail in corporate and temporary housing for assignees.
Sublets and room rentals
A private sublet can be cheaper, but the legal position depends on the main lease and the landlord's consent. Treat it as a higher-risk route for a transferee who has just arrived and does not yet know the system.
Hotels and aparthotels
A hotel is the fastest option for the first days. It rarely works as a bridge for a family, because it offers no kitchen, little space and no basis for a residential address.
Matching format to assignment
The right format follows the assignment profile, not the budget line alone.
| Assignment profile | Typical fit | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Single employee, short project | Serviced apartment | Cost per night |
| Couple, open-ended start | Furnished flat on a standard lease | Notice terms |
| Family with school-age children | Larger furnished flat or corporate unit | Space and school catchment |
| Group move, several arrivals | Corporate housing block | Availability at peak times |
How the process runs
A temporary housing request follows a repeatable path. The diagram shows the sequence your team can build into the policy.
Collect the household facts first. Dates, family size, pets and the commute decide most of the shortlist. The temporary housing service describes how that brief is handled once you submit a request.
Lease length and notice
Furnished contracts differ more in notice terms than in headline price. Check four points before your employee signs:
- the minimum term, and whether it is fixed or open-ended;
- the notice period and the date from which it runs;
- what happens if the assignment is cancelled or the permanent home is ready early;
- whether the contract allows registration at the address.
Do not assume a short stay carries short notice. A furnished flat on a standard tenancy can bind your employee for longer than the bridge requires. Ask the landlord or provider to state the terms in writing and have your legal or mobility adviser review them.
Cost drivers
Your policy controls a handful of variables. Everything else is market conditions.
- City and district. The central areas of the large cities are the most expensive. A commute by public transport from a nearby town can lower the rent.
- Size. Each additional room raises the price, so define a size band in policy.
- Length of the stay. Providers often price longer stays differently from short ones. Ask for the rate structure, not only a total.
- Services. Cleaning, linen, utilities and internet may be included or billed separately.
- Season and demand. Peak relocation periods tighten supply.
- Booking lead time. Late requests have fewer options.
For context on the permanent market, the average net rent for tenant households in Switzerland was CHF 1,485 per month in 2024, excluding utilities (FSO). Furnished and temporary units are priced above ordinary unfurnished rents, so use this figure as a baseline for the permanent home, not as a price for the bridge. For city-level detail, see how much it costs to rent in Switzerland.
Responsibilities: employer or employee
Decide in advance who contracts, who pays and who is liable. The three common models are:
- Employer contracts and pays. The simplest for the employee, but the company carries the contract risk.
- Employee contracts, employer reimburses. The employee carries the contract, and the company sets a cap.
- Lump sum. The employee organises everything within a fixed allowance.
Each model has tax and payroll consequences that depend on the case, so your tax adviser should confirm the treatment. The hidden costs of a failed assignment shows why a weak temporary housing plan can lead to expensive early returns.
Immigration and registration
Admission rules depend on nationality. Switzerland has two regimes: nationals of EU/EFTA states under the free movement agreement, and nationals of third states (SEM). The temporary address matters in both cases, because it is where your employee will be registered.
On arrival, residents must register with the municipality (Gemeinde) within 14 days, with identity document, residence or work permit and proof of health insurance (ch.ch). The deadline can vary by municipality or canton, so confirm it locally. A furnished contract that does not allow registration creates a practical problem on day one.
Health insurance is also tied to the date of arrival. Anyone domiciled in Switzerland must take out basic health insurance no later than three months after taking up residence, and cover is then backdated to the arrival date (FOPH). Remind your employee to arrange it early. The wider process is outlined in the immigration support service.
Documents to prepare from abroad
- passport or identity card for every household member;
- the employment contract or assignment letter;
- a note from your company confirming who pays;
- details of any pets and their documents;
- the lease or reservation contract, saved in a form that can be shown to the municipality.
Keep copies in one shared folder, so that HR and the employee see the same file.
Common pitfalls
- Choosing a flat before confirming that the contract allows registration.
- Booking a short stay for an open-ended assignment.
- Ignoring the commute to the office or school.
- Leaving inventory and condition checks until the end.
- Accepting a deposit arrangement without written terms.
When your employee moves out, the handover rules are summarised in moving in and out.
Planning checklist
- Confirm the arrival date and the length of the bridge
- Set the size and budget band in policy
- Decide who contracts and who pays
- Check notice terms in writing
- Confirm the contract allows municipal registration
- Plan the inventory check on arrival
- Start the permanent search in parallel with the bridge
- Remind the employee about health insurance
If you want a specialist to review the brief, use the request at the bottom of the page or go to request relocation support.
Frequently asked questions
Are furnished apartments in Switzerland easy to find?
Availability depends on the city and the season. The large cities have the most choice but also the highest demand. Start the request as soon as the arrival date is known, so that your employee has several options.
How long can an assignee stay in temporary housing?
It depends on the contract. Serviced apartments and corporate units are built for flexible stays, while a furnished flat on a standard lease follows its own terms. Check the minimum term and the notice period before signing.
Is furnished housing more expensive than a normal lease?
Generally yes. You pay for furniture, services and flexibility. The permanent market average, CHF 1,485 per month in 2024 (FSO), is a useful baseline, but it does not describe furnished units.
Who should sign the contract, the company or the employee?
Both models exist. A company contract gives the employer control but also the liability. An employee contract with reimbursement keeps the company at a distance. Choose in advance and record it in the policy.
Can my employee register at a furnished address?
Often yes, but not always. Registration with the municipality is due within 14 days of arrival (ch.ch). Ask the landlord or provider to confirm in writing that the contract supports registration.
What documents does the municipality ask for?
Generally an identity document, the residence or work permit and proof of health insurance (ch.ch). Requirements can vary by municipality, so check the local website before arrival.
Does the temporary address affect the permit?
The permit process is separate. Which regime applies depends on nationality: EU/EFTA or third state (SEM). The address is used for registration after arrival, and your immigration adviser should confirm the sequence.
Do we need to arrange health insurance during the temporary stay?
Yes. Basic health insurance is required within three months of taking up residence, and cover is then backdated to the arrival date (FOPH). Early enrolment avoids a surprise bill.
Is a hotel enough for the first days?
For a few days, yes. For a family or a longer bridge, a flat with a kitchen is usually more practical and gives a more suitable base for registration.
What is a serviced apartment?
It is a furnished flat with hotel-type services such as cleaning and reception. It suits short stays and single transferees, and the rate usually covers services in one price.
What is corporate housing?
It is a set of furnished units rented by a provider to companies. Your company deals with one contract and can place several employees in the same building. See the corporate housing guide.
Can a family use furnished housing?
Yes, if the unit is large enough and close to the chosen school. Define the size and location criteria in policy before the search starts.
Are pets allowed in furnished flats?
It depends on the landlord or provider. Ask before booking and obtain the answer in writing.
What should the inventory include?
A list of furniture, equipment and the condition of each item, signed by both parties on arrival. Photograph the flat on the day of the handover.
Is a deposit required?
Often, but the arrangement varies by contract. Ask what it covers, where it is held and when it is returned. Never agree to a deposit without written terms. For ordinary leases, see rent deposit in Switzerland.
Are utilities and internet included?
Sometimes. Serviced apartments tend to include them, while furnished flats on a standard lease may bill them separately. Check the contract line by line.
When should the permanent search begin?
As early as possible, in parallel with the bridge. The rental application file takes time to assemble, and your employee will need a stable address to submit it.
What if the permanent home is ready earlier than expected?
The notice terms decide. This is why the cancellation clause matters more than the headline price. Ask for flexibility in writing before signing.
Can we use a lump sum for temporary housing?
Yes. A lump sum gives the employee control within a fixed allowance. It works best when the employee is experienced with the market, and less well for a first move to Switzerland.
What does your team do for temporary housing?
The service connects you with relocation companies in Switzerland. Depending on the request, we put you in touch with the one that fits the need. Submit the request at the bottom of the page to start.