Lausanne Property Market and Real Estate Guide

(Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland)

The beautiful Swiss city of Lausanne lies roughly 60 km / 37 miles north-east of Geneva and is the home of the International Olympic Committee, as well as over 140,000 residents. As with most other Swiss cities, Lausanne has a high quality of life, although along with that comes a relatively high cost of living.

The system of public transportation in the city is incredibly effective, meaning that residents, whether permanent or short-stay, do not need to own a car to get around the city. This can be an attractive option financially, for although Lausanne property prices are less than other Swiss cities, such as Zurich and Geneva, most homes are still expensive.


The Swiss normally rent rather than buy and, as a result, serviced apartments are plentiful in Lausanne. The wide range of prices offered by competing companies makes renting a highly popular alternative to paying a mortgage for the majority of foreigners who move here.

Renting Serviced Apartments

There has been a rapid increase in the number of both serviced apartments and apartments in general since 2004, mainly because demand had begun to exceed supply. This recent development has resulted in the construction of over 5,000 properties available for lease, although not all are fully-furnished or have the desired amenities which many foreigners require.

More serviced apartments on the market has led to a levelling out of costs, meaning that it should not prove difficult to find an affordable apartment within the city limits. As in other Swiss cities, be prepared to spend up to two months' worth of rent in order to get a key to your home. This includes the first month's rent and a fully-refundable security deposit.

Buying Apartments and Houses

The biggest obstacle to purchasing a home anywhere in Switzerland is the high price of available property. Laws promoting home-ownership make this a reasonable option for foreigners who will live here for two years or more.

The Swiss government has made a concerted effort to keep interest rates low for home purchases in order to encourage sales and purchases. However, if you decide to buy, you will pay at least ten percent of the value of the property in closing costs and other fees. In terms of financing, Switzerland offers several avenues through which to acquire finance outside the normal realm of bank loans.

Real Estate Agents

The number of real estate agents in Lausanne has been on the increase since 2004, and there are now many which canto help with finding a new home or serviced apartment.

Check out the following Lausanne real estate agents:

CGI Immobilier
Address: Avenue de la Gare 1, Lausanne, CH-1001, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 641 6690
Email: cgivaud@cgi.ch
Website: www.cgi.ch
CGI Immobilier has locations throughout Switzerland and this particular branch can help you find the serviced apartment or home of your choice in Lausanne.

Immo-Lausanne
Address: Avenue de Rhodanie 2, Lausanne, CH-1007, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 340 7000
Email: info@immo-lausanne.ch
Website: www.immo-lausanne.ch
Immo-Lausanne specialises in finding homes for foreigners in this Swiss city.

Naef Immobilier
Address: Place Chauderon 16, Lausanne, CH-1002, Switzerland, CH
Tel: +41 021 318 7777
Email: lausanne@naef.ch
Website: www.naef.ch
Naef can help you in your quest for a serviced apartment or home in this part of Vaud.