Moving dates in Switzerland vary from canton to canton. In theory, you cannot move out whenever you want. Your lease contract must specify this information, which generally refers to the cantonal law.
Plan your move with all the information before the big day.
Moving trends in Switzerland
Historically, the peak periods for moving in Switzerland were traditionally at the end of March and the end of September, often coinciding with lease expirations. It is also important to note that moving on December 31st is prohibited.
However, a recent study in 2023 on moving habits reveals a significant shift: the majority of moves in Switzerland took place in July (more than 63,000 people), followed by September and October. Thus, it appears that lease flexibility in Switzerland has evolved, with a decrease in the prevalence of traditional moves in March and September.
Is your move approaching? Moving requires a lot of time and organization. Take a few minutes to request free moving quotes. Relax, we’ll take care of your furniture and boxes!
In which date to move depending on your canton?
Below is a list of all the moving dates by canton:
- Aargau: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
- Appenzell Innerrhoden: every end of the month, except 31 December
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden: Every end of the month except 31 December
- Basel-Landschaft: Every month-end, except 31 December
- Basel-Stadt: Every end of the month, except 31 December
- Bern (city and surroundings): 30 April, 31 October
- Freiburg: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 December
- Geneva: No local notice dates
- Glarus: Every end of the month
- Graubünden: varies by municipality: 31 March, (30 June), 30 September
- Jura: varies by municipality: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September, 31 December or end of each month
- Lucerne: No local notice dates
- Neuenburg: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
- Nidwalden: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
- Obwalden: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
- Schaffhausen: Every end of the month, except 31 December
- Schwyz: Every end of the month, except 31 December
- Solothurn: 31 March, 30 September
- St. Gallen: Every end of the month except 31 December.
- Ticino, Lugano and surroundings: 29 March, 29 September
- Thurgau: varies according to the municipality: every end of the month, except 31 December or 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
- Uri: every end of the month, except 31 December
- Vaud: varies by commune: (1 January), 1 April, 1 July, 1 October
- Valais: no local termination periods
- Zug: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
- Zurich: 31 March, 30 September, Districts: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September
Do you have to respect these dates for your move?
You must terminate your tenancy agreement by the date on which you move out of your canton, which is usually the same date as stipulated in your tenancy agreement. However, the agreement between the tenant and the landlord is binding if the date is different.
Furthermore, this is the date of termination of the lease contract and not the date of moving out. This means that if, in the meantime, you have found a new tenant to take over the lease, you can move on a different date.
For example, if you terminated your tenancy agreement for 31 March at the end of December, if a new tenant is interested in moving in on 1 February, then you can move out before that date.
Don’t forget to ask your employer for a day off for your move, even if you are moving on a Sunday or a public holiday.
