Should You Find a Job or an Apartment First When Moving to Zurich?
This guide covers
Can you rent an apartment without a Swiss job?
Can you search for housing before moving?
What if you're relocating with an employment contract?
What if you're still looking for work?
Temporary accommodation vs long-term rental
The best strategy depending on your situation
Introduction
One of the first questions we receive is: "Should I look for an apartment first or should I find a job first?" The answer depends on your situation:
If you're relocating with a signed employment contract, your apartment search usually starts before your first working day.
If you don't yet have a job in Switzerland, the process is different.
Understanding how landlords evaluate applicants can save you a great deal of time, money and frustration.
Scenario 1: You already have a job offer in Zurich
This is the most common situation for our clients. Once you have:
a signed employment contract
a confirmed salary
an expected start date
you can usually begin searching for long term accommodation. Your employment contract is one of the most important documents landlords use when assessing your application, together with your income and overall financial stability.
That doesn't mean finding an apartment will be easy.
Zurich's rental market remains extremely competitive and many applicants with excellent salaries are still rejected.
SwissNest Relocation Tip!
Receiving a job offer doesn't automatically mean you'll quickly find an apartment.
Many professionals underestimate how competitive Zurich's rental market is and only start preparing their application after they begin searching.
Preparing your strategy before your first viewing usually leads to a much smoother search.
Scenario 2: You're still looking for a job
This is where many people make expensive mistakes.
Signing a long-term lease before you've secured employment is often difficult.
Many landlords ask for:
proof of employment
regular income
financial stability
Without these documents, your application is generally less competitive. That doesn't mean relocating is impossible. It simply means your housing strategy should be different.
Many people choose to:
secure employment first
stay in temporary accommodation
search for a permanent apartment after starting work
Can you rent without a Swiss job? Sometimes.
For example if you:
are relocating within the same multinational company
have substantial financial resources
have a guarantor
receive corporate relocation support
However, these situations are the exception rather than the rule. Should you move before finding a job? There isn't a universal answer.
If you're an EU or EFTA citizen with strong savings and work in a high demand profession, relocating first may be realistic.
If your relocation depends entirely on securing employment, finding a job before committing to long term housing is usually the lower-risk approach.
What about temporary accommodation?
For many newcomers, temporary accommodation offers valuable flexibility. It allows you to:
start your new job
explore different neighbourhoods
understand commuting times
avoid committing to the wrong apartment
search with less pressure
Many SwissNest clients begin with a furnished apartment before moving into their long term home.
Which strategy is right for you?
If you already have a job
✓ Start preparing your rental application.
✓ Define a realistic budget.
✓ Begin your apartment search several weeks before your move.
If you're still looking for work
✓ Focus on securing employment first.
✓ Develop a relocation plan.
✓ Consider temporary accommodation once you receive an offer.
Key Takeaway
There isn't one correct order for everyone: The best strategy depends on your employment status, financial situation and relocation timeline.
The earlier you understand how the Zurich rental market works, the better prepared you'll be when the right opportunity comes along.
Planning your move to Zurich?
Whether you've already accepted a job offer or are still exploring opportunities in Switzerland, we'd be happy to discuss your situation.
Every relocation is different, and the right housing strategy depends on your timeline, budget and employment plans.
Book your free 20 minute consultation:
Or email us:
We'll help you understand the next steps and decide on the most practical approach for your move to Zurich.
