Short-term rental rules in Swiss cities: what's actually confirmed

Beyond the visitor's tax itself, several Swiss cities have introduced separate rules specifically for short-term and holiday-flat rentals — registration requirements, annual night caps, or zoning restrictions. Rules are set locally and change; this page only states what's been confirmed from an official or tourism-office source, and says plainly where something is still pending or unconfirmed.

Lucerne — 90 nights per year, in force

Lucerne has capped short-term/holiday-flat letting at 90 nights per year per unit, in force since January 2024.

Geneva — cap in tight-housing zones

Geneva restricts short-term letting to around 90 nights per year in tight-housing zones (some reporting cites a lower figure of around 60 nights in specific areas). Confirm the current figure and zone boundaries with the canton's Département du territoire before listing.

Interlaken — registration and a minimum-stay rule

Hosts in Interlaken are expected to register with the commune, and a 5-night minimum stay rule has been reported locally. Confirm current requirements directly with Interlaken Tourismus.

Bern — restrictions in the historic old town

The city of Bern restricts commercial-style holiday-flat letting in its historic old town. Confirm current zoning rules with the city before listing a property there.

Zurich — a proposed cap, not yet law

As of this page's last check, a citizens' initiative to cap short-term letting at 90 nights per year was moving through Zurich's city process, but had not been confirmed as law. Anyone hosting in Zurich should check the current status directly with the city rather than assume the cap is already in effect.

What to do if your commune isn't listed here

Absence from this page doesn't mean a commune has no rule — it means one hasn't been confirmed yet from a source reliable enough to publish. Contact the specific commune or its tourism office directly for anything not covered above.