How to find a home in Switzerland 🇨🇭For physiotherapists

Moving to Switzerland for work is exciting, but one of the first challenges many physiotherapists face is finding a place to live. Fortunately, with the right approach and preparation, it’s easier than you might expect.

In popular cities like Zürich, Luzern, and Bern, the housing market can be competitive. Many professionals start with temporary rentals, studios, or apartments just outside the city center. Thanks to Switzerland’s excellent public transport system, commuting is quick and convenient even from neighboring towns.

Having a work contract before you start makes a big difference, landlords want to see stable income. Some practices even assist with housing or provide temporary accommodation for your first weeks in the country.

Popular websites for finding housing 🏡

• Homegate.ch 
• Flatfox.ch 
• Immoscout24.ch 
• WGZimmer.ch  (shared apartments / rooms)
• Ronorp.net  (temporary rentals and rooms)

Joining local Facebook or WhatsApp groups can also be a great way to find temporary rentals or sublets.

Community & Support

Once you’re placed through PhysioMatch, you’ll automatically be added to our WhatsApp community for physiotherapists in Switzerland. Here you can ask questions, get tips about housing, and connect with colleagues who have already made the move. This way, you’re never on your own and always have direct support from people who know the system.

What to Keep in Mind

Landlords in Switzerland typically require:

• a work contract
• a copy of your passport or ID
• sometimes proof of income or residence permit

You’ll usually also need a deposit of 2–3 months’ rent. While this might seem high, salaries in Switzerland are proportionally higher too.

How our colleagues at PhysioMatch did it themselves:

“I stayed with a friend for the first couple of weeks and then started actively looking for a place myself. I went to viewings together with my employer, and eventually got the apartment assigned to me. It was a really great experience to be involved in the process and see how everything works.”

“During the COVID period, I searched for a place to live, mainly online after I had signed a contract. I looked on various websites and social media. I had several viewings via video calls, and eventually, I found an apartment in the center of Lucerne! I found a place within 2 months.”

“When I moved to Switzerland, it wasn’t an easy period to find accommodation. I moved during the COVID period, so it was quite difficult at the time to arrange something permanent quickly. What I did back then was contact all the Airbnbs in the region where I would be working to ask if I could stay there for the first few months at a monthly rate. In the end, I was able to rent a place for three months this way. This made it affordable and gave me time to get through the initial period. The advantage was also that I was already in the area. From there, it was easier to calmly continue searching for permanent housing. Eventually, I found a permanent home through the former employer of my then-girlfriend. He had some properties he rented out himself, and through him we could rent a place at a very reasonable price.“

Tip: you don’t always have to pay 2–3 months’ rent upfront; this can be arranged via a deposit insurance (Kautionsversicherung). We have useful tips on how to do this, contact us if you want to know more.

Tip: properties just outside major cities are often much more affordable and/or spacious.

Many physiotherapists find that their initial stress about finding a home was higher than necessary 😉 Once you’re in Switzerland and able to respond quickly to available properties, things usually fall into place faster than expected.

Curious about working and living in Switzerland as a physiotherapist? Check out our vacancies and stories from other physios.