Finding a shared room (WG) in Switzerland: a practical guide

A WG (Wohngemeinschaft, or shared flat) is an apartment or house split between several people — everyone has their own room, and the kitchen and bathroom are usually shared. WGs are especially popular with students and young professionals in Swiss cities like Zurich, since they're cheaper than renting a place on your own and easier to find on short notice.

You'll also find single rooms sublet within an existing flat, furnished rooms for shorter stays, and whole flats or houses rented jointly by a group.

SwisNest lists current WG rooms, flats and houses in Zurich — free to browse, no account needed. Filter by neighborhood, price or room type to narrow things down fast.

Reply quickly to new listings: rooms in central neighborhoods can be gone within days. A complete profile with a few honest lines about yourself makes flatmates far more likely to get back to you.

For a WG, the viewing usually doubles as an informal meet-and-greet with your future flatmates — take it seriously. Come with a few questions ready: utilities, notice period, smoking, pets, quiet hours.

Look closely at both the room and the shared spaces, and trust your gut about the atmosphere — you might be living here for months or years.

For popular rooms, a short application helps: a copy of your ID, a few lines introducing yourself, and — if asked — proof of income or a student enrolment certificate. It builds trust and speeds up a yes.

The legal side — deposit, notice period, extra costs — is covered in detail in our guide on how renting a room works in Switzerland.

Never pay a deposit or rent before you've actually seen the room in person. Be especially wary of landlords who claim to be abroad and only communicate by wire transfer.

Use SwisNest's messaging for first contact instead of private payment apps, and report any listing that feels off.