A shared apartment in Switzerland. For a lot of people, that immediately sounds like a student dorm. And if you don't know better, the comparison almost makes sense. But it really isn't. A Swiss WG (Wohngemeinschaft) is quite different from what you might picture.
Of all physiotherapists who move to Switzerland through takeoff, 70% choose a shared home. That's no coincidence.
You're not alone from day one
You arrive in a new country. You don't know your way around, you don't know where to do your shopping, and you don't have friends yet. Then it's really nice to have housemates from the start. People who can tell you how public transport works, where the good restaurants are, or which walking route you shouldn't miss.
You don't spend your first evenings alone in an empty apartment. There's always someone to chat with after your workday. And you build your social network almost automatically. Your housemates know other people, you end up at a drink or a walk together, and before you know it you feel at home.
And yes, sharing a home saves a lot of money
Of course, the financial side plays a role too. A private apartment in Zurich easily costs CHF 1,650 (around €1,875) per month. A room in a shared home runs between CHF 600 and CHF 900 (around €700-€1,000). That's a saving of CHF 750 to CHF 1,050 per month.
In Bern and Lucerne the gap is a bit smaller, but you still save considerably. You can often find a room there from CHF 650, while a studio or one-room apartment ranges from CHF 1,400 to CHF 1,500. Easily €500 to €800 in savings per month there too.
| City | Room in shared apartment | Own 1-room apartment | Savings per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 800-1,100 | CHF 1,650 | CHF 550-850 |
| Bern | CHF 650-900 | CHF 1,400 | CHF 500-750 |
| Lucerne | CHF 700-950 | CHF 1,500 | CHF 550-800 |
You can put that money toward extra savings, paying off your student debt faster, or more trips into the mountains. Want the full picture on housing costs? Read our article on the cost of living in Switzerland.
A shared apartment in Switzerland isn't a student house
A Swiss shared home is not a messy student place with crates of beer in the hallway and dishes stacked to the ceiling. You live with other working professionals. People of all ages choose this, from their early twenties to well into their 40s or 50s.
In Switzerland, living with others is simply normal. Your housemates are often international employees, Swiss professionals who actively choose this, or people who travel a lot and don't feel like living in an empty house. The atmosphere is calm and tidy. There are usually clear agreements about cleaning and using common areas. The Swiss value order, including at home.
What to watch out for when sharing a home
In most cases, utilities like gas, water, electricity and internet are included in the rent. Always check this carefully. Also useful: in many shared homes, basic kitchen staples are shared. Think oil, salt, sugar, tea, coffee.
The amount you pay depends on the location (city centre is more expensive), the size of your room, whether it's furnished, and whether you have your own bathroom. Most rooms are furnished, which saves you upfront buying costs.
Where to find a room in Switzerland
There are plenty of platforms where you can find rooms. You definitely don't have to search blind.
The most important websites
- **WG-Gesucht.de**: also covers Switzerland, by far the most used
- **Comparis.ch**: compares rooms from different platforms in one overview
- **Meinwgzimmer.ch**: a lot of listings, well organised
- **Flatfox.ch**: modern platform with messenger function
- **Wgzimmer.ch**: free platform with a wide range of listings
- **Weegee.ch**: aggregates listings from various platforms
Don't forget Facebook: many cities have their own groups. Search for "[city] WG zimmer", "[city] flatshare", or "[city] Wohnung". You'll often find rooms there that aren't listed anywhere else.
Tips for your search: start before you go to Switzerland. You'll get a feel for the market and what's realistic for your budget. Create a profile with a good photo and a short, personal intro. Not a copy-paste message, but something actually personal.
Reply fast: good rooms are often gone within a day. Many landlords are fine with a first introduction via video call.
At takeoff, we help you get started with your search. We point you to the right platforms and share what works. We don't do it for you, but we'll make sure you know where to go and how to go about it.
What do you need to arrange?
You usually get a sublease contract, where one person is the main tenant and you sublet through them. This is completely normal in Switzerland. Make sure everything is on paper: the rent, which costs are included, and the notice period (usually 1-3 months).
As with your own apartment, you normally deposit 1-2 months of rent in a blocked bank account in your name. You get this back with interest when you leave.
When you move in, make practical agreements with your housemates. Who cleans what and when? How are shared kitchen staples handled? What are the agreements about noise? Sort these things out upfront.
Is this for you?
A shared apartment fits you if you want to save money, make contact with people easily, and don't need to be alone all the time. It also gives you flexibility. After a year or two, you can always decide to find your own place once you know the country better.
It's less of a fit if you really need privacy, often have guests over, or have a lot of stuff. But many therapists who initially hesitated ended up happy with their choice. In practice, it's rarely as bad as they feared.
And after those first 1 to 2 years in a shared home? Most therapists have saved up considerably and got to know the country well. They know where they want to live and can choose their own apartment or move in with a partner. With that saved-up money, you can actually afford the dream studio with a mountain view.
We'll help you get started
At takeoff, we've already helped more than 90 physiotherapists move to Switzerland. We know what it takes to find your first home and are happy to think along. Whether you choose a shared home or a private apartment.
Ready to start your adventure? We help you with all the practical matters around your move to Switzerland, from the mandatory SRK recognition to finding your new home. See how we help you when moving to Switzerland.
