Homegate

homegate.ch

Homegate is Switzerland’s largest online real estate portal and one of the most trusted platforms for finding apartments, houses, and properties to rent or buy. Whether you're relocating to Switzerland for the first time or returning after years abroad, Homegate offers a comprehensive overview of the housing market across all Swiss cantons. With listings for everything from urban studios in Zürich to family homes in the countryside, the site caters to a broad spectrum of housing needs. The platform also includes essential tools like rent calculators, mortgage estimators, and moving checklists—making it more than just a property search site, but a full-fledged relocation resource.

Why It’s Useful:
Finding a place to live in Switzerland can be one of the most daunting parts of relocating—especially in competitive markets like Geneva, Zürich, and Lausanne. For returning Swiss citizens who may not be familiar with recent market trends or rental expectations, Homegate offers a transparent and user-friendly starting point. The platform includes listings from both private landlords and professional agencies, ensuring a wide selection of available properties. Importantly, it also reflects the typical requirements of Swiss tenancy agreements, such as needing a debt clearance statement or proof of income—helpful details for those who may be unfamiliar with the nuances of renting in Switzerland.

Beyond just the listings, Homegate provides insight into average rental prices in different regions, helping you plan your budget accordingly. Its filters also let you tailor your search to your specific needs: pet-friendly apartments, proximity to public transit, elevator access, and furnished or unfurnished options. There’s even a tool to calculate expected commuting times, which is great if you’re also using a job portal like jobs.ch to plan both your work and living situation. Overall, it’s a one-stop shop for getting oriented to the Swiss housing market with a practical, no-nonsense layout.

How to Use/Tips:
Start by visiting homegate.ch and selecting either "Rent" or "Buy," depending on your needs. Enter the location (a city, postal code, or canton), price range, and property type (apartment, house, etc.). You can use additional filters to narrow your search by number of rooms, square footage, availability date, and amenities like balconies, laundry access, or garages. The results will show property listings with pictures, rental prices, size, contact information, and in many cases, virtual tours or floor plans.

Clicking on a listing reveals more details, such as heating costs, deposit requirements, neighborhood information, and contact forms to schedule a visit or apply. Homegate often lists whether the listing is managed by a private landlord or agency, and includes links to download the official application forms. If you’re unfamiliar with renting in Switzerland, the site also offers articles and guides (some in English) that explain things like tenant rights, how to prepare your documents, and what to expect during the approval process.

Homegate also has a free account feature that lets you save your favorite listings, create search alerts, and track application statuses. If you’re not fluent in a Swiss national language yet, many of the listings are in German, French, or Italian—but the platform is easy to navigate and can be translated using browser tools if needed.

If you're moving back to Switzerland after time abroad, especially from a country with a very different housing market, Homegate helps you understand what’s standard in Switzerland—from rent prices to lease structures—and gives you access to high-quality listings across the country. It’s an invaluable tool to help secure a stable, well-suited home base for your return.