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House sitting in Switzerland: Your guide to traveling rent-free
Did you know that you can save on accommodation by house sitting in Switzerland? Discover this new option and reduce your costs.
Have you ever heard of house sitting in Switzerland? This practice is becoming increasingly popular among travelers, as it allows you to save money by staying in someone’s home for free while taking care of it. In Switzerland, a country known for its high cost of living and expensive rentals, house sitting is a great way for tourists, long term travelers, and digital nomads to experience local life without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll explain how house sitting works, the types of properties you can look after, the benefits you get in return, and the requirements you need to meet. We’ll also show you the main platforms where you can sign up to start house sitting and enjoy the Alpine country on a budget.
How does house sitting work in Switzerland and why do it?
House sitting is a modern form of accommodation that involves an agreement between a homeowner who will be away for a period of time and a person, called a house sitter, who takes care of the home and often pets, in exchange for being able to stay there for free.
In Switzerland, this practice is very common, as people frequently travel for work or vacations, and the search for house sitters is well established. This way, both the home and any pets are cared for at all times and in good hands. In return, the benefits for the house sitter can be significant:
- Free accommodation in one of the most expensive countries in the world.
- Opportunity to live like a Swiss citizen, in residential neighborhoods and natural surroundings.
- Possibility of living with dogs, cats, and other animals.
- Significant savings on travel expenses by being able to cook at home.
- Peace of mind, as the registration platforms are secure and provide references for the properties offered.
What kind of houses can you take care of in Switzerland?
As we mentioned earlier, living in Switzerland is expensive, and accommodation costs can take up a big chunk of your travel budget. That’s why house sitting is such a smart option, it lets you stay in a home for free while helping out the owners. But what kinds of properties can you look after, and what does the job actually involve?
1. Modern apartments in large cities
You can house sit in Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel, or Lausanne, where apartments are typically mid- to upper-range, ranging from 50 to 120 m² with one to three bedrooms. Typical duties include watering plants, general home upkeep, and taking care of pets, such as feeding cats or dogs and taking them for walks. The big advantage is staying in a central location, often close to parks or with lake views.
2. Traditional Swiss houses or farms in rural areas
If you’re interested in looking after traditional Swiss homes, you’ll usually find them in rural areas and Alpine villages like Valais, Bern, Graubünden, Obwalden, and Uri. These properties tend to be larger, with up to five bedrooms and outdoor spaces like gardens or patios. Pets in these homes can include large dogs, cats, chickens, goats, or even donkeys, all of which you’ll be responsible for feeding and caring for.
When it comes to the property, you’ll also need to keep the outdoor areas and any crops in good shape, following some basic guidelines. This type of house sitting is ideal for those who enjoy being close to nature and taking part in mountain activities.
3. Single-family homes in residential areas
You can also find homes to house sit in peaceful residential areas that are well connected by public transport and very safe, in towns like Winterthur, Nyon, Fribourg, Zug, and Thun. These are usually single-family houses or duplexes, ranging from 90 to 180 m², with two to four bedrooms, a garage, a garden, and even a swimming pool.
Typical tasks in these homes include general cleaning, handling the mail, tending to the garden, and looking after dogs and cats. If you prefer staying away from the busiest tourist areas but still want easy access to transport, this type of property is a great option.
4. Luxury homes
Can you imagine being a house sitter in a luxury Swiss villa for a few days? If you’re looking for that kind of experience and want to stay in upscale areas like Lugano, Gstaad, Zermatt, Montreux, or along Lake Geneva, this type of property is ideal. These are villas, modern designer homes, or premium apartments ranging from 150 to 400 m², with up to six bedrooms, private gardens, and amenities like a pool or jacuzzi.
The pets in these homes are usually purebred dogs that require special care, including specific diets and daily grooming. You may also need to oversee cleaning or gardening staff, monitor the security system, and keep valuable items safe.
Documentation and requirements for house sitting in Switzerland
If you’re thinking about house sitting in Switzerland, the first thing to do is make sure you meet the requirements for entering the country and for being accepted as a house sitter. Even though it’s usually an informal arrangement between the homeowner and sitter, the platforms that connect them have some basic guidelines, such as:
- Register on specialized platforms such as TrustedHousesitters, Nomador, MindMyHouse, or House Carers.
- Complete profile: We recommend that you add references from other homeowners if you already have experience.
- Criminal record certificate: It’s a way to ensure the safety and reliability of the person who will be house sitting in Switzerland.
- Driver’s license: Not mandatory, but very useful if you are going to settle in a rural area or if you need to take pets to the vet.
- Minimum age: Most platforms require you to be over 21 years old.
- Preliminary interview or video call: This is common practice before finalizing any agreement between the owner and the house sitter.
The requirements for entering Switzerland as a foreign citizen depend on your nationality, how long you plan to stay, and the purpose of your visit. In addition to tourists and slow travelers, digital nomads are increasingly choosing this type of accommodation while traveling and working remotely. Here’s an overview of the general requirements:
- EU/EEA citizens: You can enter and stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days without a visa.
- Non-EU citizens: If you’re from a non-EU country, you can also stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days as a tourist without a visa, but you are not allowed to do any paid work.
- Travel medical insurance: We recommend having international medical insurance that covers your entire stay in the country.
- Experience with pets: Owners appreciate it when house sitters have pets or experience caring for them.
Tips for getting accepted as a house sitter in Switzerland
If you’ve made it this far, it means you meet all the requirements and have the necessary documents to travel and house sit in Switzerland. Now, we’ll share some tips to help your profile stand out, so homeowners feel confident trusting you with their property and furry family members.
- Profile photo: Choose a clear photo where you are smiling and, if possible, with a pet. Avoid pictures that could give the wrong impression, like partying, or drinking, since Swiss homeowners look for responsible and trustworthy sitters.
- Create a friendly and professional profile: Be sure to emphasize your experience with pets and your genuine love for them, along with your reliability and ability to keep things tidy, qualities that Swiss homeowners really value.
- Languages: Switzerland has four official languages, so if you speak German, French, Italian, or Romansh, it’s a good idea to mention it. This helps build trust with local homeowners.
- Personalized message: When you find a property that catches your eye, send the homeowner a personalized message rather than a generic one. Show genuine interest in the home and its pets right from the start.
- Punctuality for the interview: Punctuality is a Swiss cultural value, so try to be logged into the video call a few minutes early.
- Interest in pets: Ask about the pets in the home and take an interest in their names, personalities, and any fears they might have. Doing this will show the owner that you truly care about their furry family members.
- Liability insurance: In addition to health insurance, adding liability coverage to your profile can help you stand out. It shows homeowners that you are responsible and trustworthy.
3 platforms with offers for home sitting in Switzerland
The first step is to sign up on one of the main house sitting websites in the country. Once your profile is set up, it’s smart to create alerts on each site, as many homes are listed on short notice due to unexpected travel plans. Here are some of the most popular platforms:
1. TrustedHousesitters
TrustedHousesitters is the most popular global community for pet and house sitting in Switzerland. It was started in 2010 by Andy Peck and a small team, and today it operates in over 140 countries with more than 240,000 members and stellar reviews. The platform is all about caring for animals while their owners are away. Here are some of the main features:
- High supply of homes in Switzerland
- Verified profiles
- Customer service
- 24/7 veterinary advice
- Insurance against damage, theft, and accidents
- Annual fee starting at $157
2. Nomador
This house sitting platform is especially popular in Europe, offering a user-friendly interface and over 500 homes cared for by sitters. Its founders built it around a love for animals and travel, connecting homeowners and sitters around the world. Here are some of the benefits of signing up:
- Verified reviews of real experiences
- 7/7 email support on a secure network
- Free identity verification
- Contract signing
- First ad free
- Annual fee from $33 for three months or $90 per year
3. House Carers
Another option for house sitting in Switzerland is House Carers, which has been around since 2000. This international platform links verified sitters with homeowners all over the world, including in Switzerland. It is one of the more budget-friendly options, making it ideal if you want to try house sitting for the first time. Here’s how it works:
- Secure and private messaging
- Advice on agreements with the owner
- Alerts with notifications of new homes
- You can open an account as a guest to explore for free
- Annual fee of $54
How can you house sit in Switzerland and stay connected?
House sitting in Switzerland comes with perks, but also responsibilities. One key requirement is a reliable internet connection so you can stay in touch with homeowners, send photos or videos of their pets, join video calls, or work remotely during your stay. While Switzerland generally has excellent mobile coverage and high-speed internet, many sitters arrive without a local SIM card or rely on expensive roaming plans.
That’s why we suggest trying Holafly’s monthly plans. You can get started right from the app when you arrive, enjoy 5G coverage even in remote areas, avoid unexpected roaming charges, and connect two devices at once with their unlimited data plan for $67.90 per month.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Frequently asked questions when starting to house sit in Switzerland
Some stays only last a few days, while others can go on for weeks or even months when homeowners travel for business. Typically, most house sits fall between one and four weeks.
House sitting isn’t paid, since the arrangement is based on receiving free accommodation in exchange for looking after the home and pets. That said, some homeowners may offer extra compensation for taking on additional tasks.
Yes, because this isn’t considered a paid job, you can stay up to 90 days without a visa if you’re from the European Union or any other country with an agreement.
You don’t have to speak another language, since English works in most cases. Still, having some German or French skills can be very helpful and make you more appealing to homeowners.
If an emergency happens, you should contact the homeowner immediately and take any pets involved to the nearest vet. Most house sitting platforms offer 24/7 support and even veterinary guidance.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
