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…
Webissimo
Webissimo is a real estate agency based in Vernier. It offers brokerage and support services in residential transactions in the canton of Geneva, with an active presence in left bank municipalities and peri-urban sectors.
View listingJSRE - Estimation & Vente immobilière
JSRE - Estimation & Vente immobilière JSRE is an independent real estate agency founded in 2020 in Geneva. Specialised in estimation, sale, and personalised advice, it operates mainly in French-speaking Switzerland and provides certified expertise of the local market.
View listingMLL Legal
MLL LegalMLL Legal is a leading Swiss law firm with a tax practice group spanning Zurich, Zug and Geneva, advising private clients and businesses.The firm advises on real estate transactions and on Swiss ordinary and forfait taxation, negotiating advance tax rulings with the Swiss tax administrations.
View listingSPG Genève
About SPG La Société Privée de Gérance (SPG), founded in 1960, is one of Geneva's leading real estate agencies, offering a broad range of property services.
View listingPrivalia
PrivaliaPrivalia is an independent Geneva real estate agency covering sales, rentals, valuation and luxury real estate.Its Prestige division operates in strict confidentiality for a discerning local and international clientele, with a portfolio of lakeside properties, penthouses, character villas, mountain chalets and second homes.
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.