Is it worth renting out my holiday apartment?

How much do holiday apartments earn in Switzerland?

According to AirROI, there are around 30'000 active Airbnb listings in Switzerland. In the 12 months to October 2026, they earned an average of CHF 24'600 in revenue, with 39 per cent occupancy and an average nightly rate of CHF 245. These three figures are averaged separately and don’t quite add up: CHF 245 times 142 nights would be around CHF 34'900. Treat them as a rough guide, not a forecast for your apartment.

Demand is growing: according to the FSO, holiday apartments recorded 7.37 million overnight stays in 2025, 4.3 per cent more than the previous year. This figure covers around 28'000 apartments recorded by municipalities, tourist offices or platforms.

Example calculation: an apartment using the Swiss average

We use the AirROI average and assume a host who isn’t liable for VAT and rents only through Airbnb. All costs except the Airbnb fee are assumptions. Use your own figures.

This doesn’t include costs you have even when you don’t rent out the apartment, such as mortgage interest, condominium owners’ association fees or property tax. Nor does it include the time you spend handling enquiries, check-ins and accounts.

What do direct bookings add?

If 30 per cent of your revenue comes through your own website and guests pay by QR-bill, the Airbnb fee only applies to CHF 17'220: CHF 2'885 instead of CHF 4'122. That’s around CHF 1'240 more a year, with the same occupancy. Find out how to get direct bookings under Direct bookings.

What taxes do you pay?

• Income tax: Rental income is taxable income (Art. 21 DBG). You can deduct your actual costs or, for federal tax, a flat rate of 10 or 20 per cent of gross rental income (Art. 32 DBG). At 20 per cent, that would be CHF 4'920 here, instead of the actual maintenance and insurance costs.
• Wealth tax: The apartment remains part of your wealth, as before.
• Imputed rental value: Until the end of 2028, you pay tax on an imputed rental value for the days you use the apartment yourself. From 2029, this will be abolished, but cantons can tax second homes used mainly by their owners. If you rent out your apartment, this is less likely to affect you. Find out more under Taxes and imputed rental value.
• VAT: only applies once your annual revenue reaches CHF 100'000 (Art. 10 VAT Act); see VAT.

The 25 per cent marginal tax rate is an assumption. Your rate may be lower or higher depending on your canton, municipality and income.

When might it not be worth it?

• You want to use the apartment yourself during the best weeks. That means missing out on the nights with the highest prices.
• Your apartment is subject to a primary residence requirement, the condominium regulations prohibit short-term rentals, or your Lex Koller permit limits rentals. Check the Second Homes Act, condominium ownership and Lex Koller.
• There’s no one nearby to deal with keys, cleaning and emergencies. An agency will then take a large share of your income; see Agency or self-management.
• Your city limits the number of nights, for example to 90 a year in Geneva or for certain premises in the city of Lucerne. See Geneva and Lucerne.