If you are planning to come and study at EPFL, we would like to draw your attention to an important point regarding housing in Lausanne, in order to help you avoid some common difficulties upon arrival.
⚠️ Housing through real estate agencies: what you should know
In Lausanne (and more generally in Switzerland), many real estate agencies apply strict requirements, especially for people coming from abroad.
It is very common for agencies to require:
- a guarantor domiciled in Switzerland,
- Swiss financial documents (such as a debt enforcement certificate),
- or a valid residence permit at the time of application.
These requirements can make it difficult—or even impossible—for many international students to secure housing through an agency.
ℹ️ Understanding listings on the EPFL housing portal
On the UNIL-EPFL housing platform, it is important to distinguish between two types of listings:
Apartment listings
Most apartment listings correspond to lease takeovers.
Even if the ad is posted by a student, the apartment is usually still managed by a real estate agency.
As a result, these offers are subject to the same administrative requirements (Swiss guarantor, financial documents, residence permit, etc.).
Room listings (shared apartments, sublets)
Room listings, on the other hand, are most often:
- managed by private individuals or other students,
- more flexible,
- and not subject to the typical requirements of real estate agencies.
👉 For this reason, we strongly recommend that international students focus primarily on room listings, which generally offer much better chances of success.
💡 Our recommendations
To maximize your chances of finding accommodation:
- prioritize room listings on the UNIL-EPFL housing platform,
- explore student residences (which do not require a Swiss guarantor),
- check other platforms and websites dedicated to room rentals,
- start your search as early as possible.
Finally, remain cautious of offers that seem too good to be true and never transfer money without a reliable guarantee.
👉 You can find our practical advice and useful resources for finding accommodation in Lausanne as an EPFL student here: housing.epfl.ch
We hope this information will help you prepare for your arrival at EPFL with greater peace of mind.