Finding a cooperative flat: how it works in Switzerland

For many people cooperative flats are the best answer to high rents: the rent is meant to cover only the actual costs. At the same time they are in demand, and the way in differs from an ordinary flat search. This guide gives you the overview of how it generally works in Switzerland. Further down we link in-depth articles on Zurich, Bern, share certificates and applying.

What a cooperative flat is

In a housing cooperative (Wohnbaugenossenschaft) the building does not belong to an investor but to the cooperative, that is, its members. Whoever lives there is usually a member and holds shares in the cooperative's capital. The rent is mostly a cost rent (Kostenmiete): according to Moneyland it only has to cover the actual costs, and no profit is sought.

The umbrella association Wohnbaugenossenschaften Schweiz names almost 1'300 members (cooperatives and other non-profit housing providers) with over 174'000 flats in total on its home page. That is a considerable stock, but not large relative to demand.

Why it is not easy

Where many people look for a cheap flat and few become available, things get tight. The vacancy rate in the city of Zurich was 0.11 percent in the 2026 count according to the City of Zurich, and 0.52 percent in the whole canton according to the Canton of Zurich. For the city of Bern the city statistics reported 0.44 percent. The lower the rate, the less choice you have, also with cooperatives.

Waiting list or listing? Both occur

Cooperatives handle allocation differently. Wohnbaugenossenschaften Schweiz advises: where there is a waiting list, signing up early pays off, and the entry usually has to be renewed regularly. Other cooperatives no longer keep a waiting list and advertise available flats on their website. The Zurich regional association writes that most cooperatives in the region no longer kept waiting lists.

A concrete example is the ABZ in Zurich: it has no waiting list for outside applicants. Available flats stay on the ABZ website for at least 24 hours, applications go through an online form, and a random generator picks 15 people for the viewing.

Step by step to a flat

So gehst du am besten vor:

• Find cooperatives in your desired region. The umbrella association keeps a member list, and the regional associations have their own directories and maps (for example Zurich).
• Clarify for each cooperative how it allocates: waiting list, listing on its own website, draw. This is usually under "Wohnen" or "Mieten".
• Have your application file ready: complete, current and as a PDF (see our article on applying).
• Keep an eye on new-build projects. Wohnbaugenossenschaften Schweiz points out that cooperatives with large new buildings have the most flats to let. New-build flats are, however, more expensive than those in older buildings.
• Check fixed-term offers. Before a conversion or demolition, cooperatives sometimes let flats for a few months or years. This can suit people in training, for example.
• Take part in cooperative life. Neighbourhood events, working groups or neighbourly help can improve your chances, according to the umbrella association. The ABZ writes that it prefers applicants who want to take part in life on the estate.

What it costs: share capital

On top of the rent there is usually share capital. At the ABZ the amount depends on the flat size (for example CHF 5'500 for a 3.5-room flat), it falls due before handover and is repaid after you move out, provided all obligations under the tenancy are met. Other cooperatives calculate differently. More in the article on share certificates, occupancy and income.

Rules you should know

An occupancy rule of the type "persons plus one" often applies, so you only apply for flats that fit the household size. For subsidised flats, strict income and asset limits apply according to the Zurich regional association, and they are checked regularly. Not every cooperative flat is subsidised; the specific conditions are in the letting regulations of the cooperative in question.

Stay realistic

There is no guarantee. With draws, what helps most is being in on every suitable listing. Apply to several cooperatives, do not miss a deadline and check the websites regularly. Listings sometimes stay online only briefly: the Zurich regional association writes that on portals such as Homegate, Flatfox and Newhome they are often visible for only 15 to 30 minutes.

Wohnify is an alert service for exactly this situation: we watch cooperatives' websites and tell you about new listings by email. It costs CHF 9 per month, and the first 7 days are free. You can do everything in this guide just as well without us.

Further reading

• Cooperative flats in Zurich and the Zurich overview page
• Cooperative flats in Bern and the Bern overview page
• Cooperative flats in St. Gallen