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…
BARNES Geneva
BARNES GenevaBARNES is an international luxury real estate house with an agency serving Geneva and its region.The agency offers exceptional apartments, houses and properties throughout the canton, and is also a specialist in off-plan sales, with a portfolio of new real estate projects in the region.
View listingFGP Swiss & Alps
FGP Swiss & AlpsFGP Swiss & Alps is a luxury real estate agency operating in Geneva, the Lake Geneva region and the Alps.The agency handles the purchase and sale of prestige houses, villas, apartments and chalets, as well as new developments.
View listingJoëlle Ettinger Relocation
Joëlle Ettinger Relocation is a Geneva activity specialised in relocation services and apartment search. It supports international and local clients in all stages of their installation, combining real estate expertise and personalised support.
View listing2Bimmo
2Bimmo is a real estate agency based in Geneva, offering residential and commercial brokerage services. It supports its clients with a modern and personalised approach in their real estate projects.
View listing105 Immo
105 Immo is a Geneva agency whose core values are people and trust. Specialised in the sale of all types of real estate and personalised research, it supports its clients with an attentive and professional approach.
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.