Zurich Relocation Guide
Moving to Zurich is not one decision. It is a series of decisions that change as your situation develops.
Maybe you are still deciding whether Zurich is the right place for you. Maybe you already have a job and need an apartment. Maybe you have been searching for weeks and keep getting rejected.
Start with the question that matches where you are right now:
02 - I’m Moving to Zurich. What Should I know?
03 - Where Should I Live in Zurich?
04 - How Do I Find an Apartment in Zurich?
01. Should I Move to Zurich?
You are still deciding whether relocating to Zurich makes sense for you, your career, your family and your lifestyle.
Before looking at apartments, understand what life in Zurich actually costs, what salaries can buy you and how your current lifestyle might change after the move.
Explore:
→ What is a Typical Salary in Zurich?
→ What Salary Do You Need in Zurich?
→ How much Does It Cost to Live in Zurich?
→ How to Find the Best Relocation Company to Zurich?
→ Why Most People Contact a Relocation Company Too Late
02. I'm Moving to Zurich. What Should I Know?
You've decided to move. Now you need to understand what the move actually involves.
Your employment situation, budget, family situation and timing will affect almost every other decision you make, from where you live to how you approach the apartment search.
Explore:
→ Should You Find a Job or Apartment First?
→ 10 Things to Know Before You Start Your Apartment Search
→ Do You Need German in Zurich?
→ School System in Zurich Explained for Expat Families
03. Where Should I Live?
Once Zurich is the destination, the next question is where.
Zurich city and the surrounding municipalities offer very different combinations of rent, apartment size, commute, neighbourhood character, schools, green space and access to the city.
The right location is not necessarily the cheapest or the most central. It is the one that works for your budget and the way you actually live.
Explore:
→ Best Neighborhoods in Zurich for Expats and Families
→ Finding the Right Neighborhood in Zurich for Your Lifestyle
→ Rent in Zurich: What Can You Expect?
04. How Do I Find an Apartment?
Now you have a location, a budget and a reason to move. It is time to start searching.
Zurich's rental market can be unfamiliar and highly competitive, particularly for newcomers who do not yet understand how the market works or what landlords expect.
Before you start applying, understand where to search, what to prepare and how long the process can realistically take.
Explore:
→ How to Find an Apartment in Zurich
→ How to Rent an Apartment in Zurich: A Guide for Expats
→ Before You Start Your Apartment Search in Zurich: 10 Things You Need to Know
→ How Long Does It Really Take to Find an Apartment in Zurich?
05. Why Am I Not Getting an Apartment?
You have started searching. You are viewing apartments and submitting applications, but you are not getting selected.
At this point, simply applying to more apartments may not solve the problem. Your budget, search criteria, timing, documents and overall applicant profile can all affect your chances.
This is where understanding the application process becomes critical.
Explore:
→ Zurich Apartment Application Process Explained
→ How to Improve Your Chances of Getting an Apartment in Zurich
→ Why Zurich Landlords Reject Applications
→ Applying for Apartments in Zurich but Getting Rejected? Here's What May Be Wrong
→ Why Expats Fail to Find Apartments in Zurich
→ Why Most People Contact a Relocation Company Too Late
→ Furnished Apartments in Zurich: Smarter Choice for Expats
If you have already been searching independently without success, this is also the point where professional support can make a meaningful difference.
06. I've Secured My Apartment. What's Next?
Getting the keys is a major milestone, but your relocation does not end there.
You may still need to register, arrange health insurance, open a bank account, organise internet and insurance, register children for school or childcare and get settled into everyday life in Switzerland.
Explore:
→ What to Do in Zurich for Fun: A Local Social Calendar
→ Mandatory Health Insurance Explained
→ School System in Zurich Explained for Expat Families
→ Do You Need German in Zurich?
→ How Much Does it Cost to Live in Zurich?
→ What are the taxes in Zurich?
→ How to Register, Open a Bank Account and Handle Paperwork in Zurich
Why Trust This Guide
Relocating to Zurich involves much more than simply finding an apartment: it means understanding a new housing market, choosing the right neighbourhood, setting a realistic budget and navigating unfamiliar administrative processes.
Every recommendation in this guide is based on practical experience helping people relocate to Zurich, not just online research.
We are Andy and Anna, the founders of SwissNest. Together we founded Comfort Apartments in 2019 and later SwissNest Relocation. Since then, we've helped professionals, executives, students and families relocate to Zurich while also building and managing our own portfolio of furnished apartments.
Working directly with relocation clients and property owners has given us insights into the Zurich rental market that go far beyond publicly available information. We understand how property management companies evaluate applications, what makes a rental dossier competitive and which strategies consistently help our clients secure apartments.
Anna Gruenwald
CEO & Co-FounderAnna has lived in Zurich since 2009 after previously living in 6 different countries. During that time she has lived in Kreis 11, Kreis 6, Kreis 4, Wollishofen and Enge, giving her first-hand experience of very different parts of the city. Before co-founding SwissNest, she worked in Product Mgmt and Marketing and holds an MBA. Expertise in Silver Coast of Zurich (Enge, Wollishofen, Kilchberg, Thalwil, Rüschlikon, Horgen).
Andy Ilan Gruenwald
CEO & Co-FounderAndy moved to Zurich in 2017 after previous professional experience in Berlin and Frankfurt. He specialises in apartment sourcing, negotiations and helping international professionals navigate Zurich's competitive rental market. Expertise in north Zurich districts such as Oerlikon, Wallisellen and outskirts like Baden, Lucerne.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Zurich has one of the most competitive rental markets in Europe. Popular apartments often receive dozens of applications within just a few days. Having a complete rental application, a realistic budget and local support can significantly improve your chances of securing an apartment.
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The answer depends on your lifestyle and household size. Many single professionals live comfortably with a monthly income between CHF 8’000 and CHF 12’000. Families usually require a higher household income due to housing, health insurance and childcare costs.
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Rental prices vary depending on the neighbourhood, apartment size and whether the apartment is furnished or unfurnished. A furnished studio typically starts around CHF 2’300 per month while larger family apartments often range from CHF 5’500 to CHF 8’500 per month.
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If you are relocating from abroad or planning to stay for less than one year, a furnished apartment is often the simplest and most cost effective option. If you already live in Switzerland and own furniture, an unfurnished apartment may be the better long term choice.
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Most apartment searches take between one and three months depending on your budget, preferred neighbourhood, household size and flexibility. Starting your search early gives you the best chance of finding the right home.
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Property owners and property management companies typically ask for a valid passport or ID, an employment contract, salary information, a completed rental application and, where applicable, a debt register extract and residence permit.
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No. Many international residents successfully rent apartments without speaking German. However, property owners and property management companies often communicate in German, so having local support can simplify the process.
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Yes. Foreign nationals can rent apartments in Zurich. Property owners usually focus on financial stability, employment and a complete rental application rather than nationality.
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Many furnished apartments allow official residence registration. Always confirm this with the apartment provider before signing your rental agreement.
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For traditional rentals, the deposit is usually between 2-3 months’ rent and is held in a Swiss rental deposit account. Some furnished apartments require a lower deposit or no deposit at all.
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Yes. Zurich is known for its excellent public transport, high quality healthcare, international schools, parks, playgrounds and outstanding quality of life. It is consistently ranked among the world’s best cities for families and professionals.
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Yes. We regularly support international professionals, executives and families before they arrive in Switzerland. Our services include apartment search, rental applications, communication with property owners and property management companies, relocation advice and practical support to help you settle into life in Zurich.
YOUR ZURICH APARTMENT SEARCH
Where are you moving from?
Tell us where you are now. We’ll show you how we can support your apartment search.
01 / OUTSIDE SWITZERLAND
Moving to Zurich from abroad
You need someone on the ground for apartment searches, viewings, applications and communication.
02 / IN SWITZERLAND
Moving to Zurich from elsewhere in Switzerland
You know Switzerland, but need local expertise to navigate Zurich's rental market and secure the right apartment.
03 / ALREADY IN ZURICH
Already in Zurich and still searching
The search is taking too long, viewings don't fit your schedule or your applications aren't getting selected.
Ready to find your Zurich apartment?
You do not need to have everything figured out before asking for help.
Whether you are still deciding whether Zurich is right for you, have just accepted a job, are starting your apartment search or have already applied unsuccessfully to several apartments, we can help you understand what makes sense for your situation.
SwissNest Relocation helps international professionals, executives and families relocate to Zurich with practical support based on the realities of the local housing market.