Housing
If you are an asylum seeker (N permit), you will be first accommodated in a Federal Asylum Centre. Before the asylum decision is rendered, you might be assigned to a canton and be accommodated in a cantonal collective centre. After the asylum decision is rendered, you will continue to stay in the same canton.
After the asylum procedure, all recognized refugees (B permit), temporarily admitted refugees (refugee F permit) or temporarily admitted persons (foreigner F permit) are assigned to a canton. Within this canton, you may freely choose where you want to live.
If a person depends on social assistance, housing will be provided by the cantonal authorities. This means that you might be accommodated in a collective centre or a specific social housing apartment depending on reception capacities.
If you are a temporarily admitted person (foreigner F permit) and if you are receiving social welfare benefits, the cantonal authorities may assign you with a specific place of residence or accommodation.
Please note that you must notify your residence address to the responsible cantonal authority.
- Have a look at the brochure ‘Housing in Switzerland’ in various languages by the Federal Housing Office.
Last update: 6 May 2026