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…
Alkimia SA
Alkimia SA is a Geneva company that combines asset management expertise and real estate support. It assists its clients in the purchase, sale and financing of properties, with recognised mastery of the Geneva and Vaud markets.
View listingRessources Immobilières
Presentation of Ressources Immobilières Based in Versoix, Geneva, Ressources Immobilières is a real estate agency directed by Roland Schleer, offering brokerage and real estate sales services since 1989.
View listingAlliance Immobilière Genevoise
Alliance Immobilière Genevoise is a human-sised agency founded in 2010 and based in Châtelaine. With over twenty years of cumulative experience by its team, it specialises in the sale and management of all types of real estate in the canton of Geneva and on the Lake Geneva Arc.
View listingBien en Viager
Bien en Viager is the viager specialist in Switzerland, active in Geneva since 2005 (and in the canton of Vaud since 2004). Based in Petit-Lancy, the agency supports sellers and buyers in viager transactions, leveraging in-depth expertise in this specific market.
View listingSwiss Livin'
Swiss Livin' is a real estate agency established in Geneva, active in the purchase and sale of residential real estate. Recently founded, it offers targeted support to individuals and investors seeking properties on the Geneva market.
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.