How to Find a Shared Apartment (WG) in Zurich: 7 Essential Tips for Students & Expats

1. Start Your Search Early – Don’t Procrastinate

If you remember only one tip, make it this one: start looking as early as possible. Affordable, well-located rooms in Zurich get snapped up fast, especially around semester start (August/September and January/February). Listings for WGs often go up 1-2 months before the available date. Mark those periods on your calendar and begin your hunt at least 6-8 weeks in advance. This gives you time to scan new ads, send applications, and attend viewings. The early bird gets the flat. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be stuck with slim pickings or paying through the nose for temporary housing.

Why so early? Demand is sky-high year-round, thanks to Zurich’s universities and thriving job market. By starting early, you also have the luxury of being picky and not desperately taking the first thing you find. Set up email alerts on housing platforms or check apps daily during your search window.

2. Know Where to Look (Online and Offline)

Gone are the days of finding flatmates via bulletin boards only – though hey, check those too once you’re in town (university boards, supermarkets, etc.). In 2026, your search will be a mix of online sleuthing and maybe tapping personal networks:

• WG Platforms & Apps: The most popular website in Switzerland is still WGzimmer.ch – it’s basically an online notice board for room offers and requests. Also, give Flatable a try – a new app specifically for finding compatible roommates and flats via matching (think “roommate Tinder”), which is gaining traction. Other sites like Flatfox and Homegate (flatshare section) have listings too.
• Facebook Groups: Yes, Facebook is old-school, but for housing it’s alive and kicking. Search for groups like “Zurich Apartments & WGs” or expat housing in Zurich. There are often daily posts for available rooms. Tip: Turn on notifications for these groups temporarily so you can pounce on new listings.
• University Housing Services: If you’re a student, check your university’s housing office or forums. ETH & UZH have housing platforms and sometimes short-term room offers from other students (some might be subletting during exchange semesters). Websites like WOKo (student housing foundation) have application processes for student rooms – they’re first-come-first-serves and limited, but if you score one, it’s cheap.
• Word of Mouth: Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a place – colleagues, classmates, that friend of a friend you met at a pub. Zurich is a small world. Sometimes a roommate is moving out and it’s not advertised yet; a friend’s tip can get you in before a room hits the open market.
• Temporary Housing Sites: If all else fails for the immediate term, consider short-term solutions while you continue searching: Airbnb (pricy but flexible), housinganywhere.com, or flatshare sublets on sites like Ron Orp (a local newsletter/site). A temporary base can ease pressure so you can look for a long-term WG without rushing.

3. Craft a Great Introduction Message

So you’ve spotted a promising room – now you need to reach out. A well-crafted intro message can make all the difference in getting invited to a viewing out of dozens (or hundreds) of applicants:

• Personalize It: Always start with a greeting and use names if provided. “Hallo Anna and Mark, I’m interested in the room you advertised…” is better than a generic “Hi, is the room free?”. Mention something from their ad – if they said they like to cook or have a cat, acknowledge it (“I’m a big foodie too and would love occasional roommate dinners!” or “I don’t have allergies and would be happy to live with a cat.”).
• Introduce Yourself Briefly: Key info to include: your age, occupation/student status, where you’re from (Zurich WGs tend to be international-friendly, so don’t worry if you’re not Swiss), and a bit of your personality. Example: “I’m 26, from Italy, working as a software engineer. I’m clean, easy-going, and speak English, Italian, and a bit of German. In my free time I enjoy hiking and playing guitar (don’t worry, with headphones after 10pm 😉).” This paints a picture and hits important notes (considerate of quiet hours, etc.).
• State the Basics Clearly: Mention when you need the room and for how long. If the ad says long-term and you only plan to stay 6 months, be upfront. Also, confirm you can afford the rent (“The rent is within my budget” or simply that you are employed/financially stable/a funded student). Landlords and WGs want to know you won’t vanish or default.
• Be Enthusiastic (but genuine): Convey that you’re really interested. Say that you’d love to come for a viewing and meet them, and that the flat sounds like a great fit for you. People are more likely to invite someone who seems keen and friendly.
• Keep it Concise: Aim for a few short paragraphs or around 200-300 words. Long essays won’t get fully read. You can even use bullet points for clarity if appropriate.
• Correctness Matters: Write in decent English or German (whichever language the ad was in). No need to be Shakespeare, but basic grammar and spell-check show you put effort in. If writing in German and you’re not fluent, it’s okay to keep it simple or mention that you’re more comfortable in English but learning German.

Attaching a friendly photo of yourself is common on some platforms like WGzimmer – it can put a face to the name. Choose a normal, smiling photo (maybe you at a scenic spot or doing a hobby). Avoid anything too wild or too formal – you want to look like a potential pleasant roommate. Just remember Flatable takes care of all of this, all you need to do is create a profile once and you are set to find your new room.

4. Respond Quickly and Be Available

Housing moves fast. If you get a message or call inviting you to a WG casting (group interview) or one-on-one viewing, respond ASAP. Check your email and app inbox frequently during your search. If you wait days, they’ve likely moved on to the next candidate.

When scheduling a viewing, try to accommodate their suggested times if at all possible. Showing flexibility is important; if they have 10 people to schedule and you’re the only one who “can’t make Thursday,” you might just get dropped. If you absolutely can’t attend in person (maybe you’re not in Zurich yet), ask if a video call is possible – many WGs are open to a Skype/Zoom interview nowadays, especially for international folks, but in-person is always better if you’re around.

Be prepared that some WGs do group viewings where multiple candidates come at once for a sort of open house. It can feel awkward, but keep cool: chat with the current tenants, be friendly to other candidates (collaborative, not cut-throat – some might even share other leads with you). Sometimes they might do a fun ice-breaker or just casual mingling. The key is to make yourself memorable (in a good way).

5. Put Your Best Foot Forward at the Viewing

When you score a viewing, treat it like an audition for roommate life (see our detailed WG viewing tips in the other post!). Show up on time (early is better), be polite and authentically YOU. Demonstrate that you’re responsible (ask questions about cleaning, rules, etc.), but also personable (share a bit about what you like to do, maybe crack a light joke if it suits the mood). People choose roommates not just on paper specs, but on gut feeling – they want someone who will mesh well in the home.

If it’s a larger WG with multiple roommates, try to say a little something to each if you can, especially whoever is making the decision (sometimes one person is leaving and leads the search, but the remaining roommates have input too). Even showing interest in the apartment itself – “I love the balcony, I can already imagine having coffee there in the mornings” – can subconsciously signal “I see myself living here”, which helps them see it too.

Some WGs might ask tricky questions like, “What’s your worst habit?” or “How do you feel about doing your share of housework?” – be honest but spin it positively (“I do procrastinate cleaning sometimes, but I always get to it by the end of my week in the rota, haha.”). And yes, maybe don’t mention that your worst habit is “leaving dirty dishes for days” – if that’s true, maybe work on that, because communal living in Switzerland won’t tolerate it. 😜

6. Beware of Scams and Pitfalls

While most WG offers are legit, wherever there’s high demand, scammers lurk. A few red flags to watch:

• Landlord Abroad Scams: If someone claims they’re out of the country and can’t show the flat, but will mail you the keys after you wire money – Nein! This is a classic scam. Never send money before seeing a place or having a signed contract. Legit landlords or agencies will arrange some form of viewing (or have a local contact show it).
• Too Good to Be True: A huge room in the city center for CHF 400 with no explanation? Probably fake. Compare with market prices – if it’s way underpriced and the photos look like a magazine, the “landlord” might just be fishing for deposits from many people at once.
• Never Pay Cash Under the Table: Occasionally you’ll meet a real landlord who suggests you pay part of rent off the record to avoid taxes or something. It’s not common in Switzerland (lots of stuff is by the book here), but if it happens – steer clear. You need a proper rent contract for registration and legal protection.
• Contracts and Deposits: For WGs, sometimes you’ll sign a sublease with the main tenant or a direct contract with the landlord. Read it (or have a German-speaking friend read it). It’s normal to pay a security deposit (Kaution) up to 1-2 months’ rent, but this should go into a special deposit account (or handled via an agency). Don’t just hand it to an individual without documentation. And get a receipt for any deposit or first rent paid.
• Agency Fees: Unlike some countries, in Switzerland the tenant usually doesn’t pay agent fees (the landlord does). If someone’s asking you for a hefty “finder’s fee,” be cautious. The exception is if you use a legit relocation service by choice – but then you’d know upfront.

In short, trust your instincts. Most people offering WG rooms are fellow humans genuinely looking for a nice roommate, not scammers. Meet in person, don’t rush into transferring money, and you’ll be fine.

7. Be Persistent and Don’t Get Discouraged

Finally, the truth: you might send 20 messages and get 3 replies. You might attend 5 viewings before you get an offer, or 15 – it happens. The Zurich housing market can feel like an endurance game. But persistence pays off. Keep refining your approach:

• If you’re not getting responses, tweak your intro message.
• If you’re doing viewings but not getting chosen, consider kindly asking one WG for feedback (“I completely understand you chose someone else – out of curiosity, is there anything I could improve for my search?”). Not everyone will respond, but someone might say you were great but they had a friend fill the spot, or maybe they were looking for an older roommate, etc. Some things you can’t change, but any tip helps.
• Expand your search radius a bit if you can handle a commute. The greater Zurich area (places like Oerlikon, Schlieren, Wallisellen, etc.) have WGs too and are usually a short train/bus ride from city center – often for less money and competition.
• Consider temporary sublets. A short-term 3-month WG sublet (perhaps someone doing an exchange abroad) can get you here, and then you can search from within the city which is often easier. Plus, you’ll make local connections that might lead to your next housing.

Importantly, don’t take rejection personally. Think of it like dating: it’s about the right fit, not that you’re not a great person. Your room is out there looking for you too!

Keep your spirits up – celebrate small wins (got an interview? Treat yourself to a coffee). And visualize that moment you get the keys to your new place, and can finally exhale. It will come.

Finding a shared apartment in Zurich might test your patience, but with these tips you’re already ahead of the game. Start early, search smart, put effort into your applications, and persist. Before you know it, you’ll be hauling your boxes into a new WG, ready to begin an exciting chapter of Zurich life with your new roommates. 🍻 Viel Glück – good luck, you got this!

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