I'm a foreigner student who was approved for a masters in UniBasel. My classes start on March 1st and I still need to rent an apartment for myself, because I don't feel like sharing a place with other students. I have been checking what's available on homegate.ch but that's not really what concerns me.

I wonder how the renting process works for someone who is out of the country. I plan to arrive in Switzerland in the mid of February. The University already told me that they can send copies of my letter of admission for the landlords, proving that I'm a student who has been accepted. But with the whole process of forms and interviews, I wonder if it is possible to rent before arriving in Switzerland.

I have a few swiss friends who could check the apartments for me before I can apply for those places, I just wonder if anyone would rent for a foreigner from afar!

Thanking everyone in advance!

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I would say that doing this yourself your chances are somewhere between "slim" and "none"....

That's what I suspected, Snoopy! Thanks anyway. (:

My boyfriend isn't swiss but he lives in Zürich, is it possible that he rents one apartment on his name (and goes through all of the filling forms/ going to interviews process) but I'm actually the one who lives on the place and also who's economically responsible for it? Would it make a big difference for the landlords if we explain the situation in advance and try to solve things like that then?

I managed to find a place quite quickly, so there are always fatter chances. [I had one recommendation letter (basic, nothing fancy) from a Swiss friend with whom I worked prior to moving here, but I did not move here on a work contract...].

Theoretically, IMHO, your BF can rent the place, and when you "move in" he has to inform the agency, respectively the cantonal migration offices, for your registration. How you then will "kick" him out of papers is a matter of ingenuity and good relations with the agency, so they don't fancy putting the apartment up on the market again and subject you to fair and transparent competition.

I guess a little depends on how much disposable income you have. If money is not a limiting factor then it shouldn't be too difficult, if you are on a budget you may have to consider sharing.

I have rented places for individuals who have not yet arrived here but it is not easy. There are very few agencies who will do this for someone. If you find one in the Basel area who will, use them. A landlord will have few problems dealing with a company you have hired to search for you, rather than a friend. Alternatively if you can find something furnished through the uni just temporarily so you have somewhere to stay initially, I would do that. It is always better to look on one's own once you are here.