• The requirements for buying property or land depend, among other things, on your nationality and whether you are already a resident of Switzerland. For detailed information, please contact the municipality where you want to purchase property or land.
  
  
• Special conditions apply to individuals with privileged status. They are asked to contact the FDFA Protocol (bilateral) or the Protocol service of the Mission of Switzerland in Geneva (multilateral) for further information.
  
  
• The International Bern Welcome Desk has a network of actors in the real estate industry and can help you if you are interested in buying property.

• Homegate
  
• Comparis
  
• Immoscout
  
• Home
• Ron Orp has good offers in the areas of real estate, events, cooking etc. (including a newsletter)

We recommend that you have personally inspected the property, as the contract often cannot be terminated in the first 12 months. If it is not possible to inspect the property before your arrival in Switzerland, we recommend that you take a temporary, furnished apartment for the first few months.

• The best strategy is to set up a search alert so that you will receive regular offers (weekly, daily or as soon as the property is advertised) that match your criteria.
  
  
• Protect yourself from scams! Do not make any payments before you have had the offer verified and signed the contract.
  
  
• BWO: Brochure Living in Switzerland (in 19 languages)
• City of Bern: Flyer Rules for peaceful coexistence (in 12 languages)

Certain landlords of temporary rental properties issue a lease contract which enables registration with the city. Registration with the city is required to open a bank account or to sign a telecom contract.

• Mohnhaus: Centrally located furnished apartments in the old town. According to the size, suitable for 1-2 persons (plus 1 child) and for a stay of 1-2 months (in exceptional cases shorter or longer).
  
  
• Stay Kooook Wankdorf: In the neighbourhood Wankdorf, brand new and fully equipped studios for up to 5 persons. Minimum stay of 6 days.
  
  
• Stay Kooook Bern City: Brand new (open December 2022).
  
  
• Alpenblick Bern: Brand new business apartments with kitchenette, in the Breitenrain neighbourhood, close to Bea Expo. Ideal for 1-4 persons. No minimum or maximum stay.
  
  
• Harry's Home: Longstay apartments (incl. connectable apartments) in the new hotel opened in 2022. Just outside Bern right next to the train station (9 min direct train to Bern main station).
  
  
• Glandon: Modern serviced apartments in Gümligen and Wabern, ideal for 1-2 persons. Minimum duration: 1 month (no maximum duration of stay).
  
  
• B20: Modern serviced apartments in Bern-Brünnen, a five-minute walk from the Westside shopping center. The rental offer can be supplemented with various other services as desired in a modular way. Minimum length of stay is 1 month, maximum is 1 year.
  
  
• Lo52: Modern living in the Lorraine neighbourhood.
  
  
• UMS: Temporary furnished apartments and subleasing of your own apartment.

Landlords often require that you provide comprehensive information with your application. In addition to a detailed questionnaire, you must include an extract from the criminal registry, your salary statement and pay slips from the past months.

In the event of a termination, the period of notice must be complied with as well as other details stipulated in the contract (final cleaning, etc.)

• Landlords can demand a security deposit in the amount of a maximum of three months' rent.
  
  
• The deposit is usually deposited in a bank account or with an insurance company, which can be a challenge for foreign nationals (e.g. if they are not yet registered in Switzerland). Certain companies have developed solutions for newcomers from abroad. We recommend that you study the various offers and terms carefully.

Although liability and home contents insurance are not compulsory by law, many landlords require proof that the tenant has taken out such insurance because these insurance policies provide full coverage against the financial consequences of damage to people or third-party property.

• Insurance companies

In Bern, great importance is attached to the correct separation and disposal of waste.

In general:

• Paper and cardboard are recycled: They are collected from the sidewalk on a certain day, sometimes even at a certain time. Sometimes there are also containers.
• Glass & aluminum are taken to a recycling depot (forbidden to do so during the weekend and in the evening)^.
• Plastic bottles & coffee capsules are returned to the store.

💡 Please inform yourself well at which places, days and times you can dispose of your household waste. The requirements vary from district to district.

• Federal Office for the Environment: Guide to waste
• City of Bern: Important information about recycling and waste disposal (calender included)
• Interactive map to search for waste collection points

• If your place of residence is in the city of Bern: You can contact the Customer Service Center of the Energie Wasser Bern EWB utilities company to request a gas, water or electricity hookup or disconnection.
  
  
• Whether for your home or workplace, EWB offers the choice between convention electricity and green electricity. Bern is a model city when it comes to sustainability. Learn more about our "Energy City" label and Sustainability
  

💡 Did you know that entire bus networks in Bern and the surrounding area already run exclusively on electricity? Bern is a pioneering city when it comes to sustainability - find out more about the Energy City label and the topic of sustainability

• Household staff can be hired privately or through a cleaning company. If you do hire staff privately, they must be registered with the old-age and survivors' pension plan. Further information can be found on the SECO website.
  
  
• Special conditions apply to individuals with privileged status. They are asked to contact the FDFA Proocol (bilateral) or the Protocol service of the Mission of Switzerland (multilateral) for further information.

• Canton of Bern: Information for Pet Owners

• FOCBS: Relocating with Pets

• FSVO: Keeping of Pets and Wild Animals

• Animal Shelter (no holiday boarding)

• Depending on the residence permit you hold or other factors, opening a bank account can be difficult for foreign nationals. Since the requirements depend on the bank in question, we recommend that you make inquiries directly with the bank.
  
  
• FINMA, Authorized Banks and Securities Administrators
• Banks in Bern

You can choose between larger and smaller providers with different plans ranging from simple budget options to comprehensive packages (including internet, television, long-distance phone plans, etc.).

• Price comparison: comparis

• Publibike
• ProVelo
• rentabike
• Carvelo

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) - all over Switzerland

• Integrated tariff network in which passengers can use all the different types of public transport (with a few exceptions).
• Single, multiple trip or day tickets can be purchased as well as route, monthly or annual travelcards. Your dog is also welcome – you can purchase a special dog ticket.

Libero Bern, Biel, Solothurn and Thun regions

• Integrated tariff network in which passengers can use public transport.
• Single, multiple trip or day tickets can be purchased as well as weekly, monthly or annual travelcards.

Moonliner Night bus on weekends for the city and region of Bern, with surcharges.

There are various taxi companies in Bern:

• Taxi Companies
• City of Bern, Taxi Stands

• Various offers from public transport and private providers
• Overview of Transport Partners City of Bern
• Go to main overview of “Arrivals and Mobility in Bern”

• Mobility Vehicles available at 1,500 locations throughout Switzerland. A Mobility membership is required to use them.
   
• Rental agencies in and around Bern (go to Tourism Page)

• SwissEmobility: overview for charging stations in Switzerland for electric cars
• EWB: FAQ and charging stations for e-cars in Bern

FCA: Road vehicles and watercraft

• Auto Gewerbe Verband Schweiz

• Special conditions apply to individuals with privileged status. They are asked to contact the FDFA Protocol (bilateral) or the Protocol service of the Mission of Switzerland (multilateral) for further information.

• Road safety and roadside assistance: TCS, VCS or ACS
• ch.ch: Speed Limits
• Driving with your lights on is mandatory during the day as well.

• Liability insurance: Vehicle liability insurance covers damages to third parties and is compulsory (including for the vehicles of individuals with privileged status!). Your liability insurance will cover you in all EU/EEA countries.
  
  

• Collision insurance: Damages to your own vehicle are not covered by liability insurance, but you can take out additional insurance for your car. Even though this is not compulsory (unlike liability insurance), it is wise to add some additional coverage. In contrast to health insurance, all of your auto insurance policies for the same vehicle must be taken out with the same company.
  
  

• Overview of Auto Insurance Plans at comparis.ch

The majority of the Old Town is closed to vehicles.

• Parking Garages
• Parking permits can be ordered from the city of Bern.

• Find a Driving Instructor
• Driving Instructor Comparison

Persons without Privileges and Immunities

• Your driving license must be converted into a Swiss driving license within 12 months. The same applies to license plates.
  
  
• Further information
  • Canton of Bern: Road Traffic and Navigation Office
  • ASA Automobile Association: Information about driving licenses

Persons with Privileges and Immunities

• Holders of legitimation cards type "B", "C", "D" and "E" are exempt from the obligation to exchange their foreign driving licences. Despite this exemption, these persons can still apply to exchange their foreign driving licence for a Swiss driving licence.
  
  
• EDA Protocol: Driving licence for holders of legitimation cards