Continued Increase in Rents in Geneva Confirms Pressure on the Residential Market

Geneva, 9 July 2026 — Official statistics from the Canton of Geneva confirm that rents for non-new dwellings under free-market rent conditions continued to rise sharply, reinforcing the persistent pressure affecting the residential market.

According to OCSTAT’s June 2025 monthly statistical bulletin, rents for non-new dwellings increased by 1.8% between May 2024 and May 2025, the strongest annual rise recorded since 2012. The increase was mainly driven by rent adjustments during existing leases, which rose by 1.2% over the same period. OCSTAT links this acceleration to the delayed effect of changes in the mortgage reference rate, which rose in 2023 before decreasing again in March 2025.

The figures underline a structural imbalance in Geneva’s housing market, where limited available supply, high demand and slow turnover continue to support rent growth. For households, the trend reinforces affordability concerns; for investors and real estate operators, it confirms that residential assets remain strongly influenced by scarcity, regulation and demographic pressure.

Key Points‍

• Rents for non-new dwellings rose by 1.8% year-on-year between May 2024 and May 2025.
• The strongest pressure came from rent increases during existing leases, reflecting the delayed impact of mortgage reference rate changes.
• The data confirms that Geneva’s residential market remains structurally tight, with affordability and availability continuing to be central issues.