Housing & Real Estate
Geneva's housing market is one of the tightest in Europe, with a vacancy rate consistently below 1% and a strong cultural preference for renting through established régies (property management agencies). For most newcomers, the first six months in Geneva involve some form of furnished or serviced accommodation before transitioning to a long-term unfurnished lease — a process that itself requires a residence permit, references, and proof of income equivalent to…
La Janinette SA Geneva
La Janinette SA La Janinette SA is a small hotel located on the Rue François-Versonnex in central Geneva, close to the lake and the main shopping streets. It offers accommodation in a compact and conveniently situated establishment.
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m3 IMMOBILIER Geneva
m3 IMMOBILIER m3 IMMOBILIER is a long-established real estate firm in Geneva, founded in 1950. It provides a full range of services including property sales, rentals, management, commercial real estate and project development.
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Hôtel Résidence Cité-Verdaine Geneva
Hôtel Résidence Cité-Verdaine Hôtel Résidence Cité-Verdaine is a hotel residence located in central Geneva, close to the Old Town. It offers comfortable furnished accommodation in a historic building.
View listingDébaravite Vernier
Débaravite Débaravite is a removals and clearance company on the Route de Peney in Vernier, serving Geneva and the surrounding region. The company handles house and office moves alongside clearance services.
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Régie Charles Besuchet Geneva
Régie Charles Besuchet Régie Charles Besuchet is a Geneva real estate agency with roots dating back to 1918. The company provides property management, sales, purchases and administration of residential and investment properties.
View listingPractical guide
Housing and real estate in Geneva
Geneva's housing market is one of the tightest in Europe, with a vacancy rate consistently below 1% and a strong cultural preference for renting through established régies (property management agencies). For most newcomers, the first six months in Geneva involve some form of furnished or serviced accommodation before transitioning to a long-term unfurnished lease — a process that itself requires a residence permit, references, and proof of income equivalent to roughly three times the monthly rent.
Buying property in Switzerland is subject to Lex Koller, the federal law restricting acquisition of residential real estate by non-residents. Holders of permit C can buy without restriction; permit B holders can buy a primary residence under conditions; non-residents are generally limited to holiday properties in designated zones and require cantonal authorisation. For higher-net-worth buyers, the path typically runs through a specialist prestige agency working alongside a Swiss notaire and, where relevant, a tax advisor.
This section covers the full housing journey: property management (régies) for long-term rentals and sales, furnished apartments for relocation and short stays, temporary housing including hotels and bed & breakfasts, and moving services for local and international removals.