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Becoming a Swiss citizen

A Swiss passport is one of the most powerful in the world, giving the holder visa-free access to 91 countries. Add to that the country’s political neutrality, stable economy and unparalleled quality of life and it’s easy to imagine why someone would want to become a Swiss citizen. However, Switzerland also has some of the strictest naturalisation laws in the world, making becoming Swiss a long and difficult journey, even for those who have lived here their whole life.

 

There are only two routes to Swiss citizenship, as set out in the Swiss Citizenship Act (SCA): by descent (natural or adoptive) or by naturalisation (ordinary or simplified).

Ordinary naturalisation

Citizenship in Switzerland is conferred at three levels: federal, cantonal and communal. To gain citizenship, you must be accepted at all three levels.

 

The basic conditions for requesting citizenship are defined at the federal level, but the cantons are free to impose additional conditions, which means that how easy it is to obtain citizenship varies a lot depending on where you live. For example, some cantons require you to have lived in Switzerland for longer than others.

Procedure

 

Step 1 – Authorisation from the Confederation

First, you need approval from the Confederation to apply for naturalisation in your canton and commune of residence. You are eligible for approval if you meet the following criteria:

 

1. You hold a C permit;

 

2. You have lived in Switzerland for at least ten years;

– All of your time spent in the country with a B, C or Ci permit or legitimation card and half of the time spent with an F permit is counted in this context;

– Any years spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 years old count double, provided the actual period is at least six years.

 

3. You are well integrated;

 

4. You are familiar with life in Switzerland;

 

5. You don’t pose any danger to national or global security.

 

This approval doesn’t itself give you any citizenship rights, it merely allows you to apply for citizenship in your canton of residence. It is valid for one year.

 

The fees for federal approval are as follows:

 

  • CHF 100 for an individual adult;
  • CHF 150 for a couple applying together;
  • CHF 50 for a child or teenager under the age of 18 at the time of submitting the request.

 

Step 2 – Application to the Canton

Next, you must apply to the appropriate cantonal authority (usually the office for migration or population; see the glossary for a list of cantonal authorities). As noted above, the conditions imposed by the cantons differ, but here, by way of example, are the procedure and eligibility criteria applicable in Geneva:

 

1. You have lived in Switzerland for ten years, including three of the five years immediately prior to applying;

 

2. You have been living in the canton for two years, including the 12 months immediately prior to applying;

 

3. You continue to live in Switzerland (in reality and not only officially) with a valid C permit throughout the naturalisation process;

 

4. You have links to the canton illustrating that you have adapted to the local way of life;

 

5. You respect public order and security;

 

6. You don’t pose any threat to national or global security;

 

7. You respect the values of the Swiss and cantonal constitutions;

 

8. You are in a position to provide for yourself and your family;

 

9. You are working, training or studying;

 

10. You haven’t been reliant on state welfare in the three years preceding your application or at any time during the naturalisation process;

 

11. You can speak French at level B1 or above and write at level A1 or above according to the Common European Framework;

 

12. You demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the geography, history, politics and social norms of the country and canton;

 

13. You encourage your non-Swiss family members to integrate.

 

If you meet these criteria, your application will be sent to the State Council (Conseil d’État), along with an indication of the commune concerned.

 

Step 3 – Approval from the commune

The cantonal authority or the commune will then consider your application.

 

  • If you are 25 or under, you need the consent of your commune’s Administrative Council (Conseil administratif) or mayor.
  • If you are over 25, you need the consent of the commune’s Municipal Council (Conseil municipal) or, by delegation, the Administrative Council or Mayor.

Once the commune has consented, the cantonal State Council approves your naturalisation. If your application is rejected by the commune, you can appeal to the Grand Council (Grand conseil).

 

The fees due when you submit your application are as follows:

 

  • CHF 300 for adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years old;
  • CHF 850 for adults under the age of 25;
  • CHF 1250 for adults over 25;
  • CHF 1360 for a couple in which at least one partner is under 25;
  • CHF 2000 for couples over 25
  • CHF 300 for each child included in a joint application.

Simplified naturalisation

Who is eligible for simplified naturalisation?

You can apply for citizenship via the simplified procedure if you meet any of the following definitions:

 

1. You are married to a Swiss citizen by descent, provided:

a. you have been married for at least three years, have lived in Switzerland for at least five years in total, including the year immediately preceding your application, and are well integrated; OR

b. you live abroad, have been married for at least six years and have close ties to Switzerland.

 

2. One of both of your parents became a naturalised Swiss citizen after your birth but before you turned 18, provided:

a. you apply before turning 22; AND

b. you have lived in Switzerland for at least five years in total, including the year immediately preceding your application; AND

c. you are well integrated.

 

3. Your mother was Swiss when you were born and:

a. you live in Switzerland and are well integrated; OR

b. you live abroad but have close ties to Switzerland.

 

4. Your father was Swiss when you were born and:

a. you were born before 2006, your parents are not married and your father recognised you as his child before you turned 18; AND

i. you live in Switzerland and are well integrated; OR

ii. you live abroad but have close ties to Switzerland.

 

5. You are a third-generation immigrant, i.e. your grandparents migrated to Switzerland, provided:

a. you were born in Switzerland, you have a C permit, you went to school in Switzerland for at least five years in total, you are well integrated and you apply before turning 25*; AND

b. at least one of your parents has a C permit, has lived in Switzerland for at least ten years and went to school in Switzerland for at least five years; AND

c. at least one of your grandparents was born in Switzerland or was granted residency.

 

*As a transitional measure, third-generation immigrants aged between 25 and 40 are eligible for simplified naturalisation until 15 February 2023.

 

6. You are a stateless person under the age of 18, have lived in Switzerland for at least five years in total, including the year immediately preceding your application, and are well integrated.

 

N.B.: Registered partners of Swiss citizens are not currently eligible for the facilitated procedure but are able to apply via the ordinary procedure after just five years of residence (including the year immediately preceding the application), provided you have been in the registered partnership for at least three years.

 

Procedure

Simplified naturalisation is governed solely by federal law and you apply to the federal migration authority (SEM) or a Swiss embassy abroad. The SEM can nonetheless ask the authorities of each canton you have lived in over the past five years to examine your situation and report back. In this case, the cantonal authority will contact you for an interview or home visit, usually carried out in the local language. This is an opportunity for them to determine whether you meet the conditions for naturalisation, including knowledge about Swiss geography, history, politics and society.

 

Successful integration

The conditions are somewhat more flexible than those applicable in the case of ordinary naturalisation but, if you live in Switzerland, you will need to demonstrate a good level of integration, which includes:

 

1. Respecting public safety and order;

– For example, no tax arrears, debts, loss certificates or criminal record.

 

2. Respecting the values of the Swiss Constitution;

 

3. Being able to communicate in at least one national language (at least B1 level speaking and A2 level writing);

 

4. Being in work, training or education;

– This includes not being reliant on social welfare benefits and having repaid any benefits received in full;

 

5. Encouraging your non-Swiss family members to integrate;

 

6. Not posing a threat to national or global security.

 

Close ties

If you live abroad when you apply for citizenship via simplified naturalisation, you will have to demonstrate that you have close links to Switzerland, which might include, for example:

 

  • Having visited the country at least three times for five days or more in the last six years;
  • Being able to communicate in one of the four national languages;
  • Having basic knowledge of Swiss geography, history, politics and society;
  • Being in regular contact with Swiss people.

You will also be expected to respect the integration criteria mentioned above.

 

Fees

The cost of simplified naturalisation comprises the SEM’s fee of 500 CHF plus cantonal fees of 400 CHF if applicable. This amount is not refundable, irrespective of the outcome. Beware: if you miss the deadline for payment, you won’t receive a reminder and your application will not be considered!

Our legal experts will be happy to advise you !

We can help you to understand your options, decide on a course of action and complete administrative procedures. Book your first 45-minute consultation completely free of charge.