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…
KREA
KREA, Key Real Estate Advisory, is specialised in commercial real estate in Geneva. The company advises owners and tenants of industrial, administrative, and commercial surfaces, providing them with in-depth knowledge of the local market and optimisation strategies adapted to each project.
View listingAffinity Prestige
Affinity PrestigeAffinity Prestige is a luxury and charming real estate agency based in Geneva, also operating in the canton of Vaud and the Swiss Alps.The agency offers exceptional and characterful properties — estates, châteaux, private mansions, lofts, charming apartments.
View listingBeaver Immobilier SA
Beaver Immobilier SA, founded in 2016 and directed by Florence Alexandra Prini Saggio, specialises in real estate asset management in Petit-Lancy. It offers complete services in management, financing, and advice to owners.
View listingJulliard Immobilier
Julliard Immobilier is a real estate consulting and brokerage company based in Chêne-Bougeries. It supports clients in their residential and patrimonial transactions, emphasising discretion, respect, and trust.
View listingCAP HOME Sàrl
CAP HOME Sàrl is a real estate agency based in Veyrier, offering brokerage services and exclusive promotion of real estate properties. Recently founded, it supports its clients in the purchase, sale and development of residential projects in the canton of Geneva and French-speaking Switzerland.
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.