If you're moving from abroad, brace yourself for a surprise: in Switzerland, an “unfurnished” apartment is genuinely empty. No sofa, obviously — but often no light fixtures, no curtain rails, and depending on the canton, sometimes not even a fitted kitchen. Here's what to know before you sign a lease.
What “unfurnished” really means in Switzerland
The vast majority of Swiss rentals are unfurnished. In practice, you get walls, floors and connections. Light fixtures and even bulbs are usually gone (departing tenants take them), and so are curtains and rails. In the French-speaking cantons, kitchens are almost always fitted (hob, oven, fridge); in German-speaking Switzerland, some older flats still come without full appliances, and the washing machine is often shared — in the basement, with a laundry schedule per floor.
Furnished flats: rare and expensive
Furnished apartments do exist, mostly in the big cities and through serviced residences, but they're a small slice of the market and priced accordingly: expect to pay 30–50% more than an equivalent empty flat, for furniture you didn't choose. For a stay of a few weeks, that trade-off makes sense. Beyond a few months, the rent premium quickly exceeds the cost of furnishing.
The third option: rent empty, furnish by rental
More and more expats combine the best of both: sign an unfurnished lease (more choice, normal rent, stability) and have rental furniture delivered. You pick the pieces, they arrive assembled, and when you leave, everything is collected — no fire-sale on classifieds, no container to organise.
| Furnished | Unfurnished + buying | Unfurnished + furniture rental | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice of apartments | Very limited | Wide | Wide |
| Upfront cost | Low | High (CHF 10,000–30,000) | Low |
| When you leave | Nothing to manage | Resell or ship | Collection included |
| Style | Imposed | Your own | Your own |
FAQ
Do Swiss apartments come with light fixtures?
Rarely. Departing tenants take their lamps with them — plan to install your own from day one (and remove them when you leave).
Is the kitchen equipped?
In French-speaking Switzerland, almost always. In German-speaking regions, check case by case, especially in older buildings.
How much more does a furnished flat cost?
Typically 30–50% more per month, with a much smaller selection of available apartments.
Swaap furnishes your empty apartment in days: delivery, assembly and collection included, from a 1-month rental.
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