Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental in Zurich: Which Makes More Money in 2026?

If you own an apartment in Zurich, one of the biggest questions is whether you should rent it long-term or use Airbnb and other furnished short-term rental platforms. The answer is not simply that one option always makes more money. The better strategy depends on the property, location, occupancy, operating costs, your need for flexibility and, since 1 September 2026, Zurich’s updated rules for commercial short-term accommodation.

Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental in Zurich: The Short Answer

Airbnb and professionally managed furnished rentals can offer higher gross revenue potential for the right Zurich property, especially when pricing can respond to demand and the apartment is well presented. Long-term rental usually offers more predictable income, fewer turnovers and less day-to-day management. What matters to an owner is not the highest nightly rate but the net return after vacancies, cleaning, platform fees, management, utilities, maintenance and regulatory requirements.

How to Compare the Two Properly

A fair comparison starts with annual net income. For a long-term rental, consider annual rent minus vacancy, owner-paid costs, maintenance and administration. For a short-term rental, start with booked nights multiplied by the average nightly rate, then subtract platform fees, management, cleaning or turnover costs not passed to guests, utilities, internet, consumables, maintenance and periods without bookings.

This is why generic claims such as “Airbnb earns twice as much” are not useful. A beautifully furnished apartment in a strong Zurich location with professional photographs and pricing may behave very differently from an average apartment with weak presentation or limited demand.

When Airbnb or Short-Term Rental Can Make Sense

Short-term or furnished rental can be attractive when the property has a desirable location, strong presentation, convenient transport links and features valued by business travellers, relocating professionals, couples, families or international visitors. It can also suit owners who need access to their property at certain times of the year rather than committing to a traditional long-term tenancy.

Dynamic pricing is another advantage. Rates can respond to seasonality, events, weekends, booking lead time and local demand instead of remaining fixed throughout the year. The trade-off is that revenue is less predictable and the property requires considerably more active management.

When Long-Term Rental Can Be the Better Choice

Long-term rental can be preferable for owners who value stability, predictable monthly payments and lower operational involvement. There are fewer check-ins, turnovers and guest questions, and utilities are often handled differently than in a fully serviced short-term rental.

A property that would require substantial furnishing, frequent hands-on management or struggles to command a strong furnished-rental rate may perform better as a conventional rental. The correct decision should be based on the individual apartment rather than on Airbnb headlines.

The Third Option: Furnished Mid-Term Rental

Zurich owners should not think only in terms of Airbnb versus a multi-year tenancy. Furnished mid-term accommodation can target professionals on temporary assignments, relocations, project workers and people who need housing for several weeks or months. Depending on the property and applicable rules, this can create a useful middle ground between frequent tourist turnovers and a conventional long-term lease.

At AlpineKeys, we prefer to evaluate Airbnb, Booking.com and appropriate furnished-rental strategies rather than forcing every property into the same model.

How Zurich’s New 2026 Rules Change the Decision

Zurich introduced an important regulatory change on 1 September 2026. Under the revised Building and Zoning Ordinance (BZO), apartments regularly rented commercially for periods under one year can no longer simply be counted toward the required minimum residential share. Owners must declare relevant uses, and a change of use such as converting a home into a business apartment can require a building application even when no physical construction is carried out.

The City of Zurich specifically distinguishes occasional rental of your own home while you are absent from permanently commercial short-term accommodation. Owners should therefore check the circumstances of their individual property before choosing a strategy. See the City of Zurich’s official short-term rental information.

For a fuller explanation, read our Airbnb in Zurich 2026 rules and costs guide.

What About Guest Registration and City Tax?

Short-term hosting comes with administrative responsibilities that a traditional landlord may not face in the same way. Airbnb’s current guidance states that hosts in Canton Zurich are required to notify the Cantonal Zurich Police of guests staying in their accommodation. Airbnb also currently lists a City Tax of CHF 3.50 per person per night for qualifying reservations of 30 nights or shorter in Canton Zurich. Hosts remain responsible for assessing any other tax obligations that apply to them.

The Costs Owners Often Forget

When comparing rental models, calculate the whole operation. Short-term rentals can involve furniture, professional photography, utilities, Wi-Fi, cleaning, laundry, guest consumables, maintenance, platform charges, pricing management, guest communication and emergency support. Long-term rentals have their own vacancy, maintenance, administration and tenancy-related considerations.

The meaningful number is therefore annual net income together with the amount of work, flexibility and risk the owner is comfortable with.

Which Zurich Properties Are Strong Candidates for Furnished Rental?

There is no guaranteed formula, but location and convenience matter. Properties with easy access to Zurich city centre, public transport, business districts, the airport, Lake Zurich and popular residential areas may appeal to different guest segments. Areas such as Enge, Seefeld, Wollishofen, Oerlikon and Altstetten, as well as well-connected communities around Lake Zurich and the wider canton, can each require a different pricing and guest strategy.

Should You Manage Airbnb Yourself?

Self-management can reduce management fees, but owners should account for the value of their time. Guest enquiries can arrive at any hour, prices need attention, cleaners and laundry must be coordinated, check-ins need to work and problems need to be resolved quickly.

AlpineKeys provides professional Airbnb management in Zurich, including listing creation and optimisation, dynamic pricing, booking management, guest communication, check-in and check-out coordination, cleaning and laundry coordination, restocking, monthly reporting and maintenance coordination.

How Much Does AlpineKeys Management Cost?

Our Standard Management service is 20% of booking revenue, while Premium Management is 25% for owners who need a higher service level. Cleaning and property-specific requirements are assessed according to the property and operating setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb more profitable than long-term renting in Zurich?

It can be for some properties, but higher gross revenue does not automatically mean higher profit. Occupancy, nightly rates, operating costs, management and regulatory requirements all need to be included in the calculation.

Is Airbnb legal in Zurich in 2026?

Airbnb has not been banned, but Zurich’s new BZO rules affect regularly commercial short-term use of residential properties. Owners should verify how the rules apply to their property and intended use.

Can I Airbnb my home while I travel?

The City of Zurich distinguishes occasional rental of an owner’s own home during an absence from permanently commercial short-term accommodation. Other contractual or regulatory requirements may still apply.

Can AlpineKeys estimate my property’s rental potential?

Yes. We prefer to assess the actual property instead of promising a generic income figure.

Which Strategy Makes Sense for Your Zurich Property?

If you are deciding between Airbnb, furnished mid-term rental and long-term renting, send AlpineKeys the property location, number of rooms, approximate size, furnished or unfurnished status, a few photographs and when the property is available. We can review the property and discuss which short-term or furnished-rental strategy could make sense.