The Myth of the Furnished Flat: Finding Luxury Turn-Key Rentals in Zürich (2026)

For executives relocating from London, New York, or Singapore, the first viewing of a Swiss apartment is often a shock.

You walk in. The parquet floors are stunning. The view of the lake is perfect. But looking up, you see bare wires hanging from the ceiling where a light fixture should be. You look at the bedroom, and there are no closets.

Welcome to the Swiss Standard Lease.

In Switzerland, "Unfurnished" means empty. When you rent a standard luxury apartment, you are renting the walls and the kitchen. Everything else—from the wardrobe to the washing machine (sometimes)—is your responsibility to install.

For a CEO arriving next week, this is a logistical nightmare. You need a "Turn-Key" solution. You need a Furnished Luxury Rental.

The Three Tiers of Furnished Housing

If you need to land with just a suitcase, you have three options. The quality and price vary drastically.

1. The Commercial "Serviced Apartment"

These are corporate providers (like VisionApartments or GLobal).

• Pros: Easy booking, cleaning included, billable to company.
• Cons: Sterile "Hotel" feel, often located in business districts rather than residential hotspots, extremely expensive (CHF 6,000+ for small units).
• Verdict: Good for the first month, bad for a home.

2. The "Airbnb" Market

• Pros: Fully equipped.
• Cons: In Zürich, regulations strictly limit year-round Airbnb rentals. Most listings are mediocre quality or short-term only. Prices are inflated for tourists.
• Verdict: Unreliable for executive living.

3. The "Shadow" Sublet Market (The Gold Mine)

This is where the gems are found. Many senior executives based in Zürich travel for 6–12 months for sabbaticals or foreign assignments. They wish to keep their beloved Seefeld penthouse but need to cover the cost.

• The Inventory: These are real, loved homes. Designer furniture (USM Haller, Vitra), high-end art, fully stocked chef's kitchens.
• The Access: These properties never go on Airbnb. The owners want a vetted professional, not a tourist. They list exclusively through Relocation Agencies and Off-Market Networks like Offlist.

Pricing Expectation: The "Convenience Tax"

If you decide to go the Furnished route, be prepared for the premium.

• Standard 3.5 Room (Unfurnished): CHF 4,500 / month.
• Furnished Equivalent: CHF 7,500 / month.

Why the gap?

1. Risk Premium: Shorter notice periods (usually 1 month instead of 3).
2. Amortization: High-end Swiss furniture is expensive.
3. Services: Usually includes internet, electricity, and Serafe (TV tax) in the flat rate.

The Strategy: "Bridge-to-Permanent"

Most of our private clients use a hybrid strategy.

1. The Bridge (Months 1-4): Secure a Furnished "Shadow" Sublet via Offlist. This gives you a beautiful, stress-free base upon arrival. You get a registered address immediately.
2. The Hunt (Month 3): Use your local presence to view unfurnished "Forever Homes."
3. The Investment: Once you secure the long-term lease, hire an interior designer to fit it out.

Conclusion

Finding a furnished luxury apartment in Zürich that feels like a home, not a hotel, is a challenge. The public market offers sterility; the private market offers character.

If you are looking for a turn-key home with soul, you need to look where the locals look: in the private networks of their peers.

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About the Author

Benjamin Amos Wagner

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