Living in Zurich: an HR guide to relocating staff

Living in Zurich is, for most transferees, a first experience of Swiss life. The city is the seat of the canton of Zürich (ZH). It sits on a lake and on the Limmat river, and it is a major employment centre. For HR, the questions are practical: where will your employee live, which authority handles the permit, and how early should the file start?

This page is written for the person who has never lived in Zurich. It covers the setting, housing, schools, transport and the first days. Permit routes and costs are covered in more depth elsewhere on the site.

A city that is used to newcomers

According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), Zürich had a permanent resident population of 440,935 people in 2025. Of these, 150,726 were foreign nationals, or 34.2% of residents (FSO, STATPOP, 2025). Your transferee will not be unusual.

That matters in practice. Landlords, employers and public offices see international arrivals regularly. It does not mean the administration works in your employee's language. Ask the relevant authority which language it uses for correspondence and appointments, and prepare translations of civil-status documents accordingly.

Neighbourhoods and surrounding communes

Zurich is divided into districts (Kreise), each with its own character. Some are close to the old town and the lake. Others are quieter and more residential, further up the hillsides. Many employees also look at communes around the city, served by suburban trains (S-Bahn) and trams.

Where you choose to base a transferee depends on the workplace, the household and the school. Your mobility provider can compare options once a request is made. The city comparator will help when you are still choosing between Swiss locations.

Housing: a tight market

Housing is the main constraint on a Zurich move. The FSO reports a vacancy rate of 0.52% for the canton of Zürich on 1 June 2026 (FSO, vacant dwellings by canton). The city's own rate was not verified, so do not infer it from the cantonal figure. The point for your policy is simple: few homes are available at any time.

Average net rents give an order of magnitude. In the city of Zürich, the FSO structural survey for 2022-2024 gives an average net rent of CHF 1,739 per month across all sizes (FSO, 2022-2024 cumulated). The cantonal average for 2024 was CHF 1,768 (FSO, 2024). Net rent excludes service charges, which are billed separately.

The table below compares the city and the canton.

Average net monthly rent, city and canton

These are averages across existing tenancies (FSO). A lease signed today for a new arrival may differ, so treat the figures as a reference point and not as a quotation.

What to prepare from abroad

Landlords and managing agents (régies, Verwaltungen) usually ask for a complete application file. Your employee should be ready with:

a copy of the employment contract or offer;
an extract from a debt enforcement register, where one can be obtained;
identity documents and proof of the permit application;
details of everyone who will live in the home.

The rental file checker shows what a file normally holds. Many companies also use a home search service and short-term accommodation while the search runs.

Schools and childcare

Families often decide the location by the school. The canton of Zürich publishes a list of international and bilingual schools. It names the Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) in Zumikon, the Zurich International School (ZIS) in Wädenswil, Kilchberg and Adliswil, and the International School Zurich North (ISZN) in Wallisellen. The list covers the wider area, not only the city. It is dated November 2023, so check current details with each school.

Places, fees and admission rules differ by school, and they are not covered here. Public schools are the other route. The language of instruction, the catchment and the age of the child all matter. The school choice guide sets out the questions to ask.

Getting around and arriving

The principal airport is Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zürich). Journey times, rail links and travel passes were not verified for this page. Ask the operator and the national railway for current information before you book a transferee's first trip.

Most daily life in the city runs on trams, buses and trains. Many transferees live without a car. Check with your policy whether a travel pass is part of the allowance.

Permits and the migration office

Residence permits in the canton are handled by the cantonal migration authority, the Migrationsamt des Kantons Zürich. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) lists the cantonal authorities. The route differs by nationality. Citizens of EU and EFTA states and citizens of third countries follow different rules, and for third-country nationals the employer normally starts the process.

The authorities decide on every application. Nobody can promise an outcome or a date. Your employer's role is to supply the right documents early. For a first look at routes, use the permit finder. For a managed file, see immigration support.

A specialist will look at your employee's case. Personal advice on tax, law or insurance is not given on this page.

The first days on site

After arrival, an employee must register with the municipality. The authority will explain what it needs and in what order. A settling-in service can help with registration, bank accounts, health insurance and local orientation. The relocation calendar shows how the steps fit around a start date.

If your transferee might also be considered for another Swiss city, compare it with Geneva, Bern or Lausanne. To discuss a Zurich move, use the request at the bottom of the page. You can also read about requesting relocation support.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zurich a good place for international staff?

It is a common destination for international assignments. The FSO records that 34.2% of residents were foreign nationals in 2025 (FSO). Services for newcomers exist, though the administration still runs on local rules.

How hard is it to find a home in Zurich?

It is hard. The cantonal vacancy rate was 0.52% on 1 June 2026 (FSO). Start the search early and prepare a full application file before your employee travels.

What does a typical rent look like?

The FSO reports an average net rent of CHF 1,739 per month in the city of Zürich for 2022-2024 (FSO). This is an average of existing tenancies, not an offer for a specific flat.

Is the cantonal rent level higher than the city's?

The cantonal 2024 average for all sizes was CHF 1,768 (FSO). The two series cover different periods, so compare them with care.

Are service charges included in these rents?

No. The figures are net rents. Service charges are normally billed in addition, and the lease states how.

Which international schools are near Zurich?

The canton lists the Inter-Community School Zurich, the Zurich International School and the International School Zurich North. Several sites are outside the city. Check current availability with each school.

Who issues the residence permit?

The cantonal migration authority handles the file. For Zürich, this is the Migrationsamt des Kantons Zürich. The authorities decide, and no outcome can be assured.

Do EU and third-country employees follow the same route?

No. The rules differ by nationality. For a third-country national, the employer is normally involved from the start. A specialist can review the case.

Can my employee arrive before the permit is decided?

That depends on nationality, the type of stay and the authority's instructions. Ask the migration office or a specialist before travel is booked.

Which airport serves Zurich?

Zurich Airport (Flughafen Zürich). Check journey times and passes with the operators.

Can your team compare Zurich with other cities?

Yes. Use the city comparator or ask for a specialist review through the request at the bottom of the page.

Relocating employees to Zürich: housing, schools, permits and costs for HR