Relocating employees begins with finding temporary accommodation for relocations . But that is only the first step. Employees are better placed to choose a long-term home once they have explored the neighbourhoods of their new city and understood what their daily commute would look like.
Making that decision too soon can be costly. Choosing a property before getting to know the city, its journey times or what daily life is like can increase the risk of signing a tenancy agreement that does not meet the employee’s needs .
Arranging temporary accommodation before looking for a long-term home gives employees more time, reduces uncertainty and helps them settle in from day one. Read on to see how it works in practice.
A short-term base while employees find a long-term home Temporary accommodation for relocations is a short-term housing option that allows employees to settle into their new location while they look for a long-term home.
It gives employees a space where they can live and work straight away during the first few weeks or months of the relocation. They can start work without having to make every personal and logistical decision at once.
It is important to distinguish temporary relocation accommodation from other types of accommodation :
Accommodation type
Main purpose
Duration and features
Temporary accommodation for relocations
Help employees settle in and find a long-term home.
A few weeks or months in a fully equipped apartment, with flexible terms and services that support day-to-day living and working.
Business travel accommodation
Meet the needs of a specific business trip.
Typically a shorter stay. The employee has no plans to settle in the city.
Long-term rental
Provide the employee with a main residence.
A long-term tenancy. Choosing the right property depends on its location, the surrounding neighbourhood and the amenities available.
Why temporary accommodation makes sense for relocations The first property an employee finds may not be the best fit for their new circumstances. Starting with a temporary apartment offers several advantages.
1. Get to know the neighbourhoods before choosing where to live Neighbourhoods can vary considerably within the same city. Proximity to the office, local services, public transport, schools and the character of each area can all influence the employee’s decision.
A temporary stay gives employees time to explore different areas and get a feel for daily life. They can try out the commute and see first-hand which shops and services are within easy reach.
2. View properties without feeling rushed Looking for a home from another city or country can be challenging. Virtual viewings and photographs can help, but they only give a partial picture of the condition of the property and building, and what the surrounding area is like .
With temporary accommodation in place, employees can view properties in person and compare their options without the pressure of having to move in immediately.
3. Help employees stay productive and comfortable from day one How quickly employees settle in can affect their performance at work . When employees arrive in a new city and move into a fully equipped apartment with internet access, they can focus on their work responsibilities sooner.
It also improves the employee experience by saving them from spending their first few days setting up utilities, buying furniture or finding a suitable place to work.
Who needs temporary accommodation for relocations? Temporary accommodation can make any relocation easier. It is particularly useful in the following situations.
Projects that need someone to start at short notice Some projects cannot wait. The company needs someone to start as soon as possible to meet an operational need, get a project under way or fill a key role.
In these cases, rushing to secure a long-term home can lead to choosing a property or location that does not suit the employee’s needs.
💡 Solution
Solution 💡
Temporary accommodation gives the employee somewhere to stay on arrival so they can start work without delay. It also gives the company and the employee more time to find a suitable long-term home.
Relocations for couples and families In many cases, one partner relocates first to start work. The other stays behind a little longer to take care of personal matters or wait until the children finish the school year.
At this stage, a small apartment may be enough for the employee. When the rest of the family is ready to move, they will need a long-term home with more bedrooms, in a suitable location, and a move-in date that fits around the school calendar.
💡 Solution
Solution 💡
Temporary accommodation allows the employee to move ahead of the family and gives them time to plan the family move without rushing their choice of home.
Projects with uncertain dates and locations Some relocations begin before dates and locations are confirmed . This is particularly common in engineering and infrastructure projects . Changes to the schedule or project sites during planning can affect where and when employees need accommodation.
💡 Solution
Solution 💡
Temporary accommodation gives employees somewhere to stay during the planning phase, until the project schedule and locations are confirmed.
How long does temporary accommodation for relocations typically last? The length of stay depends on the circumstances of each relocation. Several factors come into play , including local housing availability and the needs of the employee’s family. Apartool’s extensive experience with relocation clients offers a benchmark.
In a sample of nearly 300 relocation stays recently managed by Apartool, the length of the initial stay before moving into a long-term home broke down as follows.
56% lasted between 31 and 90 nights. 13% lasted more than 90 nights. 31% lasted up to 30 nights. In this sample, around 7 in 10 initial stays lasted more than 30 nights.
Why can it take more than a month? Several factors can extend this stage of a relocation.
Housing market. Finding a suitable home can take longer in cities where supply is limited or demand is high.Size of the city. In larger cities, employees may need more time to compare neighbourhoods and housing options.Family circumstances. Finding schools, coordinating the arrival of other family members or arranging the move can extend the timeline.Company policy. Some organisations allow employees time to settle in before they sign a long-term tenancy agreement.Housing market research helps explain why it makes sense to allow plenty of time to find a long-term home.
According to the OECD, Spain granted 345,000 building permits between 2022 and 2024, while 604,000 new households were formed. The gap illustrates the imbalance between housing supply and demand . The OECD estimates that the cumulative housing shortfall between 2022 and 2025 was around 600,000 homes.
Eurostat highlights two trends in the European Union . Rents rose by 25% between 2010 and 2024. In 2024, nearly 10% of the urban population lived in households that spent more than 40% of their disposable income on housing.
What should temporary accommodation for relocations offer? An employee’s first home in a new location should meet the needs of a medium-term stay and help them settle into their new surroundings . Consider the following factors when choosing accommodation.
Convenient location. Look for an area that makes it easy to get to work and access everyday services. Where possible, choose somewhere with good public transport links and easy access to supermarkets and healthcare facilities.Equipped for living and working. The apartment should be ready for the employee to move into from day one, with everything already in place. Look for a fully furnished apartment with an equipped kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, a workspace, essential utilities and bed linen.Flexible dates. Relocation timelines can change if property viewings are delayed, housing availability changes or the employee’s start date shifts. Check that the terms for extending or cancelling a stay are clear.Services and support throughout the stay. Regular cleaning, guest support and help resolving any issues improve the employee experience and reduce the administrative workload for the company or relocation agency.A single point of contact. Managing several relocations at once can become more complex when multiple providers are involved. Centralising requests, commercial terms and invoicing makes it easier to track each stay and apply consistent standards.How companies can arrange temporary accommodation for relocations Planning ahead helps companies build accommodation into the relocation process from the outset. We recommend the following steps.
Assign responsibility for bookings. Decide whether HR, the global mobility team, the travel management team or an external agency will handle bookings.Set an accommodation policy. Define the type of accommodation the company will provide, the budget and the services included.Coordinate relocation dates. Confirm the employee’s arrival and start dates, and set a target date for moving into their long-term home.Compare options and costs. Factor in the cost of accommodation, any associated services and the time needed to manage bookings. For stays of several weeks or months, a fully equipped apartment can be up to 40% cheaper than a hotel .Work with the relocation agency. The agency understands the employee’s needs and can advise on the most suitable location and length of stay. Working with a specialist accommodation provider gives the agency access to more options and reduces the time your company spends managing bookings.
📚 Resource
Resource 📚
If you’re planning what to include in your relocation programme, see our guide to putting together an employee relocation package.
Coordinating accommodation for every relocation An experienced accommodation provider helps employers and relocation agencies manage temporary stays and gives relocating employees the support they need as they settle in.
Apartool provides corporate accommodation for medium- and long-term stays, with the following benefits.
International coverage. Access more than 300,000 apartments across 85 countries for domestic and international relocations.A single provider. Manage accommodation requests across multiple cities and countries through one provider.Fully equipped apartments. Employees can live and work comfortably from day one, with furnishings, an equipped kitchen and high-speed internet.Flexible bookings. Extend stays or adjust bookings as relocation plans change.Included services. Weekly cleaning and local support to resolve issues during the stay.Cost control. See the total price upfront and manage bookings and invoicing in one place.Dedicated support. An account manager and a reservations team support your company or agency throughout the process.Relocation agencies can also work with Apartool as their accommodation partner to offer clients a wider choice of properties without having to manage a separate supplier network in each destination.
Are you arranging temporary accommodation for an upcoming relocation? Tell us the destination city, dates, number of employees and any specific requirements. Our team will help you find accommodation that fits your project. Contact Apartool .
FAQ about temporary accommodation for relocations How long does temporary accommodation typically last during a relocation? It depends on the destination and the employee’s circumstances. In 2025, 59% of the temporary relocation stays we arranged lasted between one and three months, and 72% lasted more than 30 days. Allow enough time for employees to get to know the city and find a suitable long-term home without feeling rushed.
Can employees extend their stay without moving to another apartment? Yes, provided the apartment is available and the revised terms are agreed. Of the stays we analysed for relocation clients, 28% were extended through a new booking for the same client in the same apartment, with no gap between bookings.
Can employees bring their families? Yes. Choose temporary accommodation based on how many people will be staying and what the family needs. Consider the number of bedrooms, the available space, the location and nearby services.
Who pays for temporary accommodation, the company or the employee? In a corporate relocation, the company typically covers the cost as part of the relocation package. The terms depend on its internal policy. The company may set a maximum budget or limit how long it will cover the stay. Agree these terms before the move so employees know what is covered.
What if the employee finds a long-term home sooner than expected? The company can check the booking’s cancellation and amendment terms and request a change to the dates where those terms allow it. Look for a provider with clear terms and enough flexibility to accommodate changes to the relocation schedule.
