Securing a Swiss Base From Abroad: The Remote Search Guide (2026)

The standard advice for moving to Switzerland is discouraging: "Book an Airbnb for two months, arrive, and then start looking."

For a senior executive or a family with children starting school in September, this uncertainty is unacceptable. You need a set of keys waiting for you, not a hotel reservation.

However, the Swiss rental market is hostile to remote applicants. If you apply to a standard listing on Homegate from a London or New York IP address, saying you cannot attend the viewing, your email is deleted.

Why? Because in a market with 0.06% vacancy, the landlord has 40 people standing in their hallway. They have no incentive to accommodate a Zoom call.

Here is how experienced professionals bypass this barrier and secure homes from abroad.

Strategy 1: The "Proxy" Viewing

If you cannot be there, someone trusted must be there for you. Swiss landlords need to know a human has vetted the property.

• The Relocation Agent: This is the most reliable path. A hired agent acts as your legal proxy. They attend the viewing, inspect the property for defects, and—crucially—put their reputation behind your application.
• The Trusted Colleague: If your company has a local office, HR can sometimes send a representative. Note: A friend is less effective than a professional agent in the eyes of a landlord.

Strategy 2: The "Bridge" Apartment (Furnished)

The most stress-free approach is to decouple your arrival from your "Forever Home" search.

The market for Business Apartments (furnished, short-term) operates differently.

• Digital-First: These providers are set up for remote booking.
• Permit-Ready: They provide the necessary "Wohnungsnachweis" (Proof of Residence) so you can register at the municipality (Kreisbüro) immediately upon arrival.

By securing a 3-month bridge lease, you arrive in Switzerland stress-free. You then enter the long-term market as a "Local Candidate"—with a Swiss permit, a Swiss bank account, and the ability to attend viewings in person.

Strategy 3: Access the Off-Market (Remote-Friendly)

This is the "Secret Weapon."

While public landlords hate remote applicants, Off-Market landlords often prefer them.

Why?

1. Incoming Executives are Solvent: If you are being relocated by a multinational, you are a low-risk tenant.
2. Timing Matches: A departing expat needs someone to take over their lease on a specific date (e.g., April 1st). If you are arriving April 1st, you are the perfect match, even if you are currently in Singapore.

Platforms like Offlist facilitate this connection. Our partner agencies are accustomed to conducting FaceTime walk-throughs and handling digital contract signing (E-Signature) for verified international professionals.

The "Digital Dossier" Checklist

If you are applying from abroad, your paperwork must be flawless to compensate for your physical absence.

1. Cover Letter: Explain why you are moving, your job title, and confirm your move-in date is fixed.
2. Employment Contract: Do not black out the salary.
3. Debt Extract (Special): Since you don't have a Swiss debt history, order a specialized extract for expats or provide a credit score report from your home country (e.g., Schufa in Germany, Experian in UK/US).
4. Visa/Permit Proof: A letter from your HR department confirming they are sponsoring your B-Permit application.

Conclusion

Renting from abroad is not impossible; it just requires leaving the public market. Public landlords have the luxury of demanding physical presence. Private networks and relocation agencies have the luxury of prioritizing quality tenants, regardless of where they currently sleep.

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About the Author

Benjamin Amos Wagner

Founder of Expat-Savvy.ch & Offlist | Connecting Expats with Homes