There are three routes to Swiss citizenship. Most people use ordinary naturalisation: at least 10 years in Switzerland, a C permit, successful integration and language skills at B1 spoken and A2 written. Spouses of Swiss citizens and some other groups can use the faster facilitated route through the SEM, and former Swiss citizens can apply to regain citizenship.

In short

  • Ordinary naturalisation (Art. 9-15 SCA): 10 years' residence (years aged 8 to 18 count double), a C permit, integration, plus cantonal and municipal residence rules. Usually 18 to 36 months and CHF 1,500 to CHF 5,000.
  • Facilitated naturalisation (Art. 21-22 SCA): for spouses of Swiss citizens after 3 years of marriage and 5 years in Switzerland, and some other groups. A federal procedure, usually 12 to 24 months.
  • Reinstatement (Art. 26-27 SCA): for people who lost Swiss citizenship and have close ties to Switzerland.
  • Three levels: you become a citizen of Switzerland, a canton and a municipality at the same time.
  • Dual nationality is allowed by Switzerland; whether you keep your other nationality depends on the other country.

Ordinary naturalisation (Art. 9-15 SCA)

Formal requirements (Art. 9 SCA)

  • Residence: at least 10 years in Switzerland; years between the ages of 8 and 18 count double.
  • C permit when you apply.
  • Familiarity with Swiss life (Art. 11 SCA, detailed in the Citizenship Ordinance, Art. 2-4).

Integration (Art. 11 SCA)

You must be successfully integrated, which federal law breaks into five criteria:

  1. Respect for the law: no significant criminal record, no outstanding debt enforcement or bankruptcy. Cantonal and municipal practice applies (see the Aargau judgment below).
  2. Respect for the values of the Federal Constitution: the rule of law, democracy and human rights.
  3. Language: spoken B1 and written A2 in an official language of your place of residence (German, French, Italian or Romansh), proved with a certificate recognised by the SEM (fide, telc, Goethe, DELF, CILS and others). If you went to school long enough in an official language, you are exempt.
  4. Work or education: employment, self-employment, a pension, education or training, or caring for children or relatives.
  5. Supporting your family's integration: the integration of your spouse and children is also considered.

Naturalisation may be refused if you threaten Switzerland's internal or external security or do not sufficiently respect constitutional values (Art. 11 para. 2 SCA).

Cantonal and municipal residence

Cantons and municipalities set their own residence requirements (Art. 18 para. 1 SCA with cantonal law):

  • in the canton: typically 2-5 years;
  • in the municipality: typically 3 years.

See the cantonal immigration practice pages.

The procedure

  1. Apply to your canton with the documents listed under "Before you apply".
  2. Cantonal check: the migration service and citizenship office check the requirements and send the file to the federal authorities.
  3. Federal naturalisation permit: the SEM checks the federal requirements and issues the permit, typically in 6-12 months.
  4. Cantonal procedure: in many cantons, a written test on Switzerland, an interview, or a hearing before a naturalisation commission.
  5. Municipal procedure: varies from a simple decision to a vote at a public meeting.
  6. Final decision: you become Swiss when the decision becomes final.

The whole process typically takes 18-36 months, longer where a municipal assembly decides. Total fees are usually CHF 1,500 to CHF 5,000; some municipalities in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino charge less, some in German-speaking Switzerland more.

If you are refused

You can appeal to the cantonal appeal authority, usually within 30 days. An appeal to the Federal Supreme Court against a final cantonal decision is only possible in limited cases (Art. 83 Federal Act on Administrative Procedure).

Facilitated naturalisation (Art. 21-22 SCA)

This is a federal procedure without a municipal assembly. You apply to the SEM.

Spouses of Swiss citizens (Art. 21 SCA)

  • married to a Swiss citizen for at least 3 years; and
  • at least 5 years in Switzerland, including the year before you apply;
  • or, if you live abroad, at least 6 years of marriage and close ties with Switzerland;
  • integration comparable to ordinary naturalisation, although the language level is often slightly lower (spoken A2 is enough in many cases);
  • no threat to internal or external security.

Processing typically takes 12-24 months and costs less, usually CHF 500 to CHF 1,000.

Other groups

  • Children with a Swiss parent (Art. 51 SCA): transitional cases only. A Swiss child born abroad with another nationality loses Swiss citizenship at 25 unless reported to a Swiss authority (Art. 7 para. 1 SCA).
  • Stateless persons (Art. 23 SCA).
  • Third-generation foreign nationals (Art. 24a SCA, in force since 15.02.2018): if three generations of your family have lived in Switzerland and you were born here and completed compulsory school here.

Reinstatement (Art. 26-27 SCA)

If you lost Swiss citizenship through marriage to a foreign national, by renouncing it or by losing it (Art. 38 SCA), you can apply to regain it. You need close ties to Switzerland and, if you apply from within Switzerland, at least 3 years' residence.

Things that often cause problems

Debt enforcement. In 2024 the Federal Supreme Court ruled in an Aargau case that refusing naturalisation solely because of existing debt collection proceedings may breach constitutional rights if the debts are relatively minor and do not show a serious lack of financial responsibility. Some cantons have changed their practice; others remain strict. Get a legal assessment of your own situation.

Social assistance. Many cantons refuse naturalisation if you received social assistance in the years just before applying. Some require 3 years without assistance, others 5 years.

Dual nationality. Switzerland allows it without requiring you to give up your other nationality. Some countries, for example India and China, do not allow dual nationality. Ask the consulate of your other country.

Interviews and assemblies. Many municipalities hold a naturalisation interview about Swiss life, values and customs. Some German-speaking municipalities also hold an assembly or a vote. The Federal Supreme Court has held that naturalisation decisions must give reasons and must not discriminate (BGE 129 I 232, BGE 132 I 167). Refusing someone only because of their origin or religion is unconstitutional.

Before you apply

  1. Calculate your years of residence against your canton's requirements.
  2. Get a language certificate (B1 spoken, A2 written for ordinary naturalisation; possibly lower for facilitated).
  3. Get a criminal record extract no older than 3 months.
  4. Get a debt collection register extract no older than 3 months. If it shows any entries, get legal advice.
  5. Collect your tax assessments for recent years.
  6. Write a detailed CV and document your time in Switzerland (rental agreements, payslips, school reports).
  7. If your family is applying together, gather documents for your spouse and children.

Where to ask

  • Cantonal citizenship office in your canton of residence: binding information on the procedure and cantonal rules.
  • SEM, Swiss Citizenship Division: the federal procedure and facilitated naturalisation.
  • A lawyer registered in a cantonal bar register: for your chances, or representation before authorities and courts.