Zürich by district: where to live and what the move requires

Until 1893, Zürich consisted only of today's Old Town, which now forms District 1. With the incorporations of 1893 and 1934 the surrounding villages were added; today there are twelve districts, 22 historic city quarters and 34 statistical quarters. On the western lakeshore lie Enge, Wollishofen and Leimbach (District 2), and between the Sihl and the Uetliberg Wiedikon (District 3). Districts 4 and 5 comprise Aussersihl and the Industriequartier.

On the slopes of the Zürichberg follow Oberstrass and Unterstrass (District 6) as well as Fluntern, Hottingen, Hirslanden and Witikon (District 7), and on the eastern lakeshore Riesbach (District 8). Altstetten and Albisrieden form District 9, Wipkingen and Höngg District 10. In the north lie Affoltern, Oerlikon and Seebach (District 11) as well as Schwamendingen (District 12). View potential flats in person before you settle on the move.

According to Wikipedia, the average net rent of a three-room flat in Zürich in 2024 was 1,578 francs, of a two-room flat 1,424 and of a four-room flat 1,870 francs – on average 21.8 francs per square metre. Districts 1 and 8 are the most expensive, Districts 2, 11 and 12 the cheapest. With a vacancy rate of 0.1 per cent (July 2025) there is a housing shortage; for its affordable flats, the city checks occupancy and owner-occupation.

Most people work in the service sector, which accounts for just under 90 per cent of employees: banks such as the major bank UBS and Zürcher Kantonalbank, insurers such as Zurich and Swiss Re. On top of that come ETH Zürich and the University of Zürich. The main station is the largest railway station in Switzerland; trams, buses and S-Bahn trains run with a single ticket within the Zürich Transport Network (ZVV).

Request a free survey now.

• Scope and volume
• Distance from €4.15/km
• Floor without a lift
• Required parking restriction zone
• Furniture assembly and part load as additional options

From the first box to the last task – you can combine these services for Zürich.

• Private move: your move into a new home, organised reliably and without stress. Private move
• Company move: offices and businesses relocate without interrupting operations. Company move
• Furniture transport: single items of furniture safely from A to B. Furniture transport
• Part load: affordable transport through shared cargo space. Part load
• Move with assembly: dismantling and assembly of your furniture from a single source. Move with assembly
• House clearance: dispose of the old, make space for the new. House clearance

For long-distance moves we plan every stage from Berlin-Moabit ourselves. The route to Zürich is described on the page Moving Berlin – Zürich, and you will find further destinations in the locations overview.

In Zürich, the city reserves parking spaces for moves if vehicles or material are needed at exactly that spot and the work would otherwise be impossible or considerably more difficult. According to the City of Zürich, the application is made via the online form "Reservation form for parking spaces for moves and more". There you confirm your email address and enter contact details, billing address and the desired time slot. Confirmation usually arrives within two working days. If the requested spaces are not free, the city can reserve the nearest alternative.

The notice period is important: for parking areas in the Blue Zone the city states at least seven working days, for White Zones at least three working days. Parking spaces can be reserved for a maximum of 14 days; for longer needs an application to the administrative police (Verwaltungspolizei) is required. The costs depend on the time, location and the type and number of parking spaces; the city does not state a fixed amount. For short-notice requests it refers you to the responsible district chief (Kreischef). According to the city, applications for the period from 24 December to 8 January must be submitted by 17 December.

For a move from Berlin, we plan the date so that the reservation is in place when the lorry arrives. How this works for us in Berlin can be read under parking restriction zone; the particularities of the route are explained in our guide to the long-distance move to Switzerland.

Anyone moving to Zürich from abroad registers, according to the City of Zürich, within 14 days at the residents' registration office. For arrivals from abroad the Zürich Süd residents' registration office is responsible; attending in person with an appointment booked in advance is compulsory. Registration is only possible once you have actually moved in, and all family members must appear in person. If the next free appointment falls after the deadline, the city recommends booking the next possible appointment anyway and applying for an extension via the contact form.

The city states a registration fee of 40 francs per adult; fees of the migration office depend on nationality and permit. You should bring your passport or ID, proof of accommodation (tenancy agreement, flat certificate or sublease agreement) and, where applicable, employment contract or confirmation of studies. Foreign civil status documents that are not written in a Swiss official language or English require an official translation.

Health insurance is also compulsory: according to the Federal Office of Public Health, you must take out basic insurance no later than three months after taking up residence. If you join on time, cover starts retroactively from the date you took up residence, and premiums are then also payable retroactively. In the event of inexcusable delay, a premium surcharge may apply. Further steps before the move are gathered in our checklist for emigrating to Switzerland; on customs and papers for your goods, read customs, formalities and process when moving to Switzerland.