Let’s not mince our words – finding an apartment in Geneva is probably the worst fucking experience to go through. It is extremely hard to find an apartment, and is probably the biggest hurdle you’ll run into when you relocate here. It is not uncommon to hear people looking for a few months before landing an offer. Geneva has an extremely competitive housing market, where demand outweighs the supply, which means apartment hunting is basically a bloodbath. Being the center of global diplomacy and home to many international organizations and corporations, and also being consistently ranked in the top 10 list of best cities to live in the world, it’s no wonder that everyone wants to live in Geneva. 

The usual disclaimer: We are not legal or housing experts. However, we want to share our personal experiences to those that are starting their apartment hunt and want some insights and tips, what the whole process looks like, and some common scams and tips. Hopefully our experience can help you know what to expect in your own search.

Here is what you need to know about…

• Your housing options
• The different neighbourhoods in Geneva
• The average rental costs in Geneva
• Searching for apartments
• Preparing the dossier (required documents) for application
• Your application getting rejected
• Accepting an apartment
• Common scams while apartment searching

Your Housing Options

Your housing options really depend on your current situation:

1. If you don’t have a valid visa or are still waiting for visa approval…finding an apartment is near impossible and you are jumping the gun. You need a valid permanent residence to apply for an apartment.
   
   
2. If you haven’t arrived in Geneva…it’s almost impossible to find a long-term apartment if you’re not physically in the country. This is also when common scams occur (more on that later). No rental management companies or regiés (as commonly known in Geneva) will offer virtual tours or things of that nature nor will they wait for you to arrive and get your ducks in order. The local demand is just too high. Apartments will be offered to people in town with their documents ready to go. Your best bet is to find a temporary accommodation when you arrive, and then begin your search. It’s important to find a temporary accommodation where you can register the address, as you will need an address for all the correspondence with the Geneva Canton, and other things like insurance, utilities etc.
   
   
3. If you’re looking for temporary/short-term accommodations…Most people will stay at a temporary accommodation when they first arrive, be it through Airbnb, hotels, or short-term rental agencies. They are usually always furnished, which makes moving-in easy and convenient. They are usually always very expensive as well, almost 50% more than the market prices. Once you have a move date to Switzerland set, you should start looking for temporary accommodations, which can be booked way in advance.
   
   
4. If you’re looking for long-term accommodations…This is the holy grail for expats that are planning to stay in Geneva for a year or longer. They are hard to get because everyone is looking for apartments. If you’re unemployed, a student, have a short-term work contract, or not physically in Geneva, it will be near impossible to secure accommodations. Furnished apartments are very rare and often marked up. Apartments usually come empty, no light fixtures, no curtains and no appliances. Keep in mind that your rent should lie between 12% and 22% of your annual family income.

Neighborhoods in Geneva

Disclaimer: Before we moved to Geneva, we did a lot of research on all the different neighborhoods to see which would be the best fit for us. After our 3rd month of apartment searching, location became a 2nd, 3rd priority on our list simply because of the limited supply of apartments available. Geneva is a small city that is well connected by public transportation. Getting around by foot or bike is also very easy and accessible. It’s also a very safe city; there may be ‘unsavoury’ areas but generally speaking, you don’t need to worry too much about crimes in any of the neighbourhoods. 

Right Bank

• Pâquis – Pâquis is a centrally located, super vibrant and multicultural neighborhood near the train station. It has a slightly shady reputation because there is a tiny red light district that’s really contained to one street (and believe us it’s barely even noticeable). Personally I (Jessica) am biased since I live here, but I like Pâquis a lot because it has so much character. There are tons of shops and restaurants, the lake is just a short walk away, and the proximity to Cornavin makes travel so convenient. Certain streets and corners (where there are bars) can be loud and rowdy, so it’s important to visit in person to gauge the vibes. Other streets in the area can be very quiet.
  
  
• Servette – Servette is just above Cornavin, and definitely has a more residential vibe. It’s well connected, feels more down-to-earth and much less pretentious and overtly affluent compared to other neighborhoods. There are lots of local shops and small businesses, and green spaces. 
  
  
• Petit-Saconnex & Grand-Saconnex – I put the two Saconnex because they are next to each other and have similar offerings. Petit-Saconnex and Grand-Saconnex are situated north of the city center and are right next to all the international organisations and embassies, which is why it is a popular neighbourhood for expats with families that work in the international sector. Both are quiet and very residential and have bigger apartments and an abundance of green spaces. Another bonus is that it’s close to the airport.
  
  
• Saint-Jean – Saint-Jean sits on the west of the city center, bordering the Rhône River. It’s a more neighborhood that is becoming more popular, given its more lively, hipster vibe to it. Saint-Jean has a lot of cool, local shops and the proximity to the Rhône means a lot of recreational activities, especially during the summer. 
  

Left Bank

• Old Town – No place more central than old-town! Most of the apartments are in older, more traditional buildings. There aren’t many apartment listings for the old town, but there’s tons of shops, restaurants, and tourists! I always feel like living in Old Town is wonderful in my mind but in practicality, you can’t really drive into old town easily and it is hilly and cobblestoned. 
  
  
• Eaux-Vives – Every expat and their mom wants to live in Eaux-Vives, given its proximity to the lake, nice parks like Parc de la Grange, and a lot of boutique shops, trendy bars and restaurants. The rents also tend to be higher given its popularity. If you’re commuting to work on the right bank, the commute via bus or car can be a drag with the traffic, but otherwise, a great place to live.
  
  
• Plainpalais – Plainpalais is situated south of the city center, and is well known for the Plaine de Plainpalais, an open space that hosts the famous flea market and other events. It’s a very lively, urban neighborhood, with many bars, restaurants, and cafés, as well as the campus of the University of Geneva. 
  
  
• Champel – Champel is further up from Eaux-Vives, and it has a reputation of being an affluent and primarily residential area. It’s much more quiet and is home to many prestigious schools, private clinics, and hospitals. Very popular with families and professionals that want to live in a place with residential vibes. The rent is usually much higher as well. 
  
  
• Carouge – Carouge is known as ‘little Italy’, with its colorful buildings, pedestrian streets and vibrancy. There are tons of cute artisan shops, independent boutiques, and lots of restaurants and cafés (some are even open on Sundays!). I (Diana) personally love this area as I live here. Carouge feels like a completely different neighborhood to the others in Geneva. It sits south of the city center and it’s slightly further from the rest of town. 
  
  
• Cologny – Cologny is the most prestigious neighborhood in Geneva, sitting along the left bank. It has amazing lake views, vineyards, and large villas. If you’re looking for a house or high-end apartment, and have a deep pocket, Cologny is for you. There are some bus routes available but generally, the commute is longer given its location. 

France

Wait, is it possible to live in France? It depends.

Housing and general living costs are lower in France, and many people chose to live in France and commute into Geneva every day (called frontaliers). You can live in France if you are a EU citizen or hold a visa/permit that allows you to live in France. It’s best to consult with your HR or government agency to check your rights but having a Swiss residence permit doesn’t automatically give you the right to live and work freely in France. There will be other things to consider should you choose to live in France, like taxation (there are double taxation agreements in place), your healthcare, the commute and more.

Ferney-Voltaire and Annemasse are both popular neighborhoods for Geneva commuters. Ferney-Voltaire is popular with the international community given that it sits on the north side, is great for families, and has all the amenities. Annemasse is situated in the south of Geneva, and is definitely more lively, urban and, how to put this delicately…rough around the edges compared to Geneva?

Other cantons

Is it possible to live in other cantons and commute to Geneva? It depends (again) on what permit you hold. Generally, if you are European (EU/EFTA citizen) and hold a valid Swiss residence permit, you can live in other cantons. While you have the right to live in another canton, you have to register your change of address with the authorities in your new canton. If you’re non-EU and hold a B permit that’s issued from the Geneva canton, that means you can only live in the Geneva canton. If you’re looking to move to a new canton, that canton would need to approve your residency. Most often, you’d need to find a new employment to maintain your residency rights.

Average Rental Costs

These are just ballpark ranges, as rental costs vary widely based on the location, size, and condition of the apartment! As of April 2025, here’s an estimated average rental cost for different apartment sizes in central Geneva:

• 1 Bedroom Apartment: CHF 1,500 – 2,500 per month
• 2 Bedroom Apartment: CHF 2,200 – 2,500 per month
• 3 Bedroom Apartment: CHF 3,000 – 5,500 per month

Charges: Oftentimes, rental prices don’t include monthly charges (acomptes de charges), which are things like heating, water, building maintenance etc. This can be an additional CHF 150-400 per month. Always double check what is included in the listed rent. 

Deposits: The maximum amount that landlords can request for the deposit is 3 months’ gross rent (rent before the charges). By law, the deposit is placed in a blocked bank account under the tenant’s name that is specific for rental deposits. Neither the landlord or tenant can access these funds without the agreement of both parties. The deposit is paid by the tenant after the lease has been signed but before the keys are handed over. Once the lease is terminated, the deposit will be returned to the tenant (within a few weeks), on the conditions that: all the rent has been paid, there’s no property damage beyond normal wear and tear, and all other charges are settled. 

Alternative to cash deposit: There is a thing called rental guarantee insurance (caution de loyer sans dépôt bancaire). You can pay an annual premium to an insurance company, who acts as a guarantor for the deposit. This means your money isn’t tied up but the premium isn’t refundable. Landlords aren’t legally obligated to accept this form of guarantee, so it’s better to double check what is accepted.

How to look for apartments

Apartment search websites:

• Immobilier.ch
• Homegate
• Immoscout 24
• ImmoStreet.ch
• RealAdvisor
• Glocals
• Home Sweet Home

Facebook groups:

Be careful. Facebook is a great resource to find apartments but there are also a lot of scams. 

• GENEVA – Housing, Apartments, Rooms, Sublets
• Geneva EXPATS
• Housing in Geneva – Logements à Genève

Word-of-mouth (WOM): 

Let friends, family, colleagues, classmates, any local connections know that you’re searching for apartments, they might know of available places or friends that are planning to break their lease. Many companies have internal marketplaces or message boards, which are a great resource for listings that are not yet public. If you’re a student, your school should have student housing or other resources available for new students.

Real Estate Agent 

You can hire an agent to assist with your job search in Geneva. An agent can help you put together your dossier, schedule viewings (or view on your behalf), and assist with the rental contract. If you’re brand new to Geneva and don’t speak French, it can be quite helpful to have someone help navigate the relocation process. Agents usually only charge if they successfully help you sign an apartment, one month rent is standard. 

There are really good agents and others that are pretty useless. From our experience, many of the agents in Geneva are good for the administrative tasks but are less helpful to find listings that are not already on the market nor have much sway with the regiés. Find reputable agents, through reviews or recommendations, and never pay for any agent fees upfront.

The dossier & application

Now, let’s talk dossier prep…

Required documents includes:

1. Application 
2. Scan copies of your Swiss Permit ID (both sides)
3. Scan copies of salary statement, (last 3 months)
4. Scan copies of criminal records (less than 3 months of application) 

Pro tip! Swiss régies love order. Like, label-your-socks kind of order. So do yourself (and them) a favor:

📎 Scan every required document and combine them into ONE clean, neatly organised PDF
Not five attachments. Not a zip file. Just one beautiful, polished PDF that screams: “I’m responsible, I pay rent on time, and yes, I know how to use a scanner.”

Because in the land of punctual trains and pristine recycling bins, presentation matters.

So, how do you beat the system and get your dossier on top of the pile?
This is Switzerland, babe—there’s no cutting the line here. No secret handshake. No magic password. But don’t lose hope just yet!

If you’ve got a little extra budget to spare and want to up your chances, consider hiring a relocation agent or well-connected property whisperer. These pros know the régies, speak the lingo, and—let’s be honest—can make a few strategic phone calls that might gently nudge your dossier toward the top. No guarantees, but hey, it’s better than having your application stuck in a pile.

Rejection

Unless you’re extremely lucky, most likely you will receive many, many apartment rejections. And that’s ok, rejection is just a part of life. Like many European cities, Geneva has an insanely tough and competitive housing market. Even if you meet all the criteria (decent salary, good job, no criminal records etc), there are 50 other people in line that also fit the bill.

You can try to ask for a reason for the rejection but most likely you won’t get a (good) response. Maybe you applied for a 3 bedroom apartment as a couple, they might want to prioritize a family with kids instead. Maybe you tried to negotiate the rent or complained about many things. You could have been rejected for a million and one different reasons. Try not to take it too personally, dry your tears, and start again.

Accepting an apartment

Pop the Champagne, you finally got that long-awaited reply from the régie about your apartment application. In classic Swiss fashion, it may have taken a week… or two… or let’s be real, maybe even two months. But hey, who’s counting? The important thing is: you got it!

So… what happens next?

Time for the inspection, darling.
Welcome to the meticulous world of Swiss real estate—where even the tiniest scratch on the wall or a slightly dusty window track can turn into a deduction from your deposit. Yup, régies here are very particular about how the apartment is handed over, and any issues that weren’t flagged at the start can quickly become your problem to fix (and pay for).

So here’s what you need to know once you say “yes” to the apartment:

1. Schedule the Inspection (état des lieux)
   This is your walk-through with the régie before moving in. Bring your eagle eyes, a flashlight, and maybe a friend for backup. Take photos. Lots of them. And make sure every crack, stain, or squeaky hinge is noted in the report.
2. Ask Questions, Even the “Silly” Ones
   Water heater? Radiator quirks? Garbage collection schedule? Washer and dryer situation? Now’s the time to ask. The more you know, the fewer surprises later.
3. Document Everything
   Seriously—photos, videos, notes. Treat it like a crime scene. This will save you from any future debates about what was “already there.”
4. Understand What You’re Responsible For
   In Switzerland, tenants are often expected to pay for small repairs, repainting, or professional cleaning when moving out. If you miss something now, you’ll likely be footing the bill later.

🎯 Pro Tip: If you’re not fluent in French or just want peace of mind, bring someone who knows the system—or consider hiring a relocation assistant or agent for this part. It’s worth it. Ready to move in? You’re one step closer to sipping coffee on your new Swiss balcony with a view of the Alps (or, let’s be honest, the neighbor’s laundry line). Either way, it’s time to enjoy your new digs!

Beware of common scams

When you have a competitive housing market and desperate renters, it becomes a hot breeding ground for scams. The primary goal of these scams are always for financial gains and/or identity theft. Here are some common scams and things to watch out for:

1. Fake Property Listings: Sometimes scammers will post ads for properties that don’t even exist and lure people in through low rents or not requiring all your documents. Sometimes they will have poor-quality or digitally altered photos on the listings. Always crosscheck with google maps or do a reverse image search when possible. 
   
   
2. Advance Payment Scams: Never pay someone online to view an apartment or for a deposit! Lots of scammers take advantage of expats that want a headstart on the apartment search before they even arrive in Geneva, and demand a “viewing fee” to see exclusive properties. This is NOT a common practice, you don’t not pay to view apartments in Switzerland. This scam is especially prevalent on those Facebook rental groups. Legitimate listings or agencies will always allow you to view property in person before any financial commitment. If you’re asked to pay anything via gift cards, cryptocurrency or money transfer services to an overseas account, major alarms should be going off in your head. If they say that the landlord is “abroad” and unable to show the property until after you’ve paid a deposit, it’s a scam.
   
   
3. Fake Rental Agreements: When possible, have any contract you’re about to sign reviewed by someone familiar with Swiss rental contracts, especially if you’re not a French speaker. All official contracts and paperwork are done in French, and scammers may give you a contract that lacks important clauses or has wording that isn’t legally binding in Switzerland. Never pay a rent or deposit until you have a signed contract from both parties. 
   
   
4. Identity theft: When you’re applying for an apartment, there are a lot of sensitive documents that you’re sharing. When possible, always censor and watermark your documents and only send documents after you have visited the apartment in person. Never just send your documentation before you’ve decided to apply for an apartment. 

Hopefully this is a good starting point for all you apartment hunters out there. Let us know in the comments below if there is anything else we missed. Good luck, we’re praying for you.