Life sometimes takes us far from home. Many homeowners in Switzerland move abroad for work opportunities, international assignments, extended travel, or simply a change of scenery for a while.
But when you leave Switzerland for several months or even years, one question often comes up:
What should you do with your property while you’re away?
Leaving a home empty is rarely the ideal solution. An unoccupied property still needs care, regular checks, and maintenance. At the same time, it represents an opportunity that many homeowners overlook.
Instead of letting a property sit unused, many owners today choose to rent their homes as short-term rentals while they are abroad.
Short-term rentals have become increasingly common in Switzerland, especially in cities like Zurich and other attractive regions across German-speaking Switzerland.
For homeowners who plan to return eventually, short-term rentals offer several advantages.
First, your property remains active and regularly maintained instead of sitting empty.
Second, it can generate rental income while you are away.
And third, it provides flexibility. Unlike long-term leases, short-term rentals allow you to regain access to your home when you return.
However, managing a property remotely can be challenging. Handling bookings, guest communication, cleaning coordination, and property checks from another country is not always easy.
This is where professional property management can make a big difference.
If you want to understand how this works in more detail, we explain the process in our guide on short-term rental property management in Zurich and German-speaking Switzerland.
Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com make it easier than ever to rent a property to guests. But running a successful short-term rental involves much more than simply creating an online listing.
Homeowners often underestimate how many tasks are involved, including:
responding to guest inquiries
managing bookings and calendars
coordinating cleaning and turnover services
preparing the property between stays
maintaining the home and addressing issues when they arise
When you are living abroad, handling these responsibilities remotely can quickly become stressful.
For this reason, many homeowners choose to work with a local property management partner who can handle these tasks professionally.
A professional property management service takes care of the operational side of short-term rentals.
This usually includes:
creating and managing listings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com
setting appropriate pricing based on demand
communicating with guests before and during their stay
organizing cleaning and preparation between bookings
ensuring the property remains well maintained
With the right management in place, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of short-term rentals without needing to manage the details themselves.
You can learn more about this in our article on short-term rental property management in Zurich and German-speaking Switzerland, where we explain how the process works for property owners.
Demand for short-term rentals has grown steadily across Switzerland in recent years.
Cities such as Zurich, as well as surrounding areas like Winterthur, Zug, Lucerne, and St. Gallen, attract business travelers, tourists, and professionals who need temporary accommodation.
This demand creates opportunities for homeowners who want to rent their property while living abroad.
With the right management, short-term rentals can provide a balance between income, flexibility, and professional property care.
If you are planning to move abroad, having someone locally who can look after your property is incredibly valuable.
Professional property management helps ensure that:
your home remains well cared for
guests have a positive experience
bookings and operations run smoothly
you receive clear updates about your property
This allows homeowners to focus on their work, travel, or life abroad without worrying about the day-to-day management of their property.
If you are exploring the idea of renting your property as a short-term rental while you are away, it is worth understanding how the process works and what professional management involves.
You can start by reading our guide on short-term rental property management in Zurich and German-speaking Switzerland to learn how homeowners manage their properties successfully.
And if you would like to speak with someone about your situation, Alpinekeys would be happy to help.
Based in Zurich, Alpinekeys works with homeowners across Zurich and other German-speaking regions of Switzerland who want a trusted partner to help manage their property.