Haustausch is a French home-exchange platform connecting private households who want to travel without paying for accommodation. Founded in 2007, it serves a community of 13,458 members across 66 countries, with thousands of homes listed for exchange. Members can publish a home listing, search by destination, dates, property type, bedrooms and amenities, and contact potential hosts through the platform’s messaging service. Exchanges may be simultaneous, arranged at different times, one-way, or include couchsurfing, giving members flexibility in how they travel.

The exchange itself involves no rent or commission between households, although an annual subscription is required to publish a listing and exchange messages. Haustausch supports trust through verified profiles, SMS identity checks, public reviews and secure internal messaging, and offers insurance for incidents during an exchange. Its service is designed to help travelers enjoy the comfort of a real home and experience local neighborhoods. The platform also provides practical guidance, including exchange checklists, FAQs and travel inspiration, with French-language support from a team based in France.