Budget for your first apartment

Updated: 2026-09-24 · By Nada and Andrei Argyo. They build SwissBudget+ in Lucerne and use a budget themselves.

Rent is the cost everyone knows. In your first apartment, the surprises are often the deposit, the utility bill and expenses your parents used to pay. This guide divides the budget into three parts so you can plan for the first year.

Part 1: Costs before you move in

Rental deposit. The law allows a deposit of up to three months’ rent. It is held in a blocked account in your name and returned when you move out. Some providers offer deposit insurance instead. You pay an annual premium that is not refunded.
Moving. A van or moving company, supplies and perhaps a day off work.
Furnishings. A bed, table, kitchen items and lamps. Many Swiss apartments do not have ceiling lights, which you may only notice on the first evening.
Registering with the municipality. After moving, register within your municipality’s deadline, usually 14 days. There is often a small fee.

These are one-time costs. Save for them in advance so your first months do not start with a shortfall.

Part 2: Monthly expenses

Rent and utility advance payments. An advance payment is billed against your actual costs once a year. You may receive a refund or owe the difference.
Electricity. It is often billed separately by the utility company rather than included in building charges. Bills may come quarterly.
Internet and mobile phone.
Health insurance. If you were insured through your parents, the bill now comes to you.
Food and household supplies. Cleaning products, toilet paper and rubbish bags. Many municipalities charge for official rubbish bags.

Part 3: Annual bills

This is where first budgets often fall short. These bills come infrequently, but all at once:

Serafe. Every household pays the radio and television fee, even without a TV. It will be billed automatically at your own address.
Household contents and personal liability insurance. Many landlords require liability insurance. The premium is usually billed once a year.
Utility bill adjustment. After a cold winter, you may have to pay an additional amount.
Taxes. If you are paying your own taxes for the first time, the first bill may not arrive until the following year. Start setting money aside in your first month anyway.

Estimate each bill, divide it by twelve and set that amount aside monthly. You can then pay from your reserve instead of relying on the salary in the month the bill arrives.

A simple rule to start

Track every expense for the first three months. You will then know the real cost of the apartment and can adjust your budget. Estimates made before moving are often too low, especially for food and household supplies.

If you do not want to manage it by hand

SwissBudget+ is made for this kind of budget: separate categories for rent, utilities, health insurance and Serafe, monthly set-asides for annual bills, and a tax estimate by canton and municipality. No account, cloud, ads or bank connection. Your figures stay on your phone, and the app is free.

See SwissBudget+