Swiss naturalization

Conditions, procedure and costs to obtain Swiss nationality and the white cross passport

Becoming a Swiss citizen is a long but accessible process, which gives you the right to vote, access to consular protection and the possibility of passing on nationality to your children. Switzerland reformed its nationality law in 2018, simplifying certain criteria while maintaining high integration requirements. Two main routes exist: ordinary naturalization and facilitated naturalization.

Residency requirements

For ordinary naturalization, you must have 10 years of residence in Switzerland with a C permit (establishment). Years spent between the ages of 8 and 18 count double. You must also have resided at least 2 of the last 3 years in the municipality where you are submitting your application.

The C license is an essential prerequisite. If you still hold a B permit, you must first obtain your C permit before submitting an application for naturalization. For EU/EFTA nationals, the C permit is generally obtained after 5 years of stay.

Ordinary vs. facilitated naturalization

The naturalization route depends on your personal situation.

Criteria	Ordinary naturalization	Easy naturalization
Beneficiaries	Any foreign resident	Spouse of a Swiss, child of a Swiss parent
Duration of residence	10 years (8-18 years count double)	5 ans dont 1 an avant la demande (spouse) ou 6 ans (enfant)
Permit required	C license required	C license not required
Competent authority	Confederation + canton + municipality	Confederation (SEM)
Municipal maintenance	Yes, in most cantons	No
Duration of procedure	1 to 3 years	6 to 18 months
Total cost	CHF 1,000 – CHF 3,000	CHF 600 – CHF 1,500

Required documents

• Official application form (cantonal or federal)
• Identity document and residence permit
• Extract from the Swiss criminal record and country of origin
• Proof of residence in Switzerland (residents' office)
• Certificate of non-prosecution (prosecution office)
• Language certificate (level B1 oral and A2 written minimum)
• Proof of income and financial situation
• Children’s education certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of integration (associative life, volunteering, local knowledge)

Language test and integration

You must prove your skills in the official language of your place of residence. The required level is B1 oral and A2 written (European CEFR framework). The certificates accepted vary depending on the cantons: fide, Goethe-Zertifikat, DELF, CELI, etc.

Integration is evaluated on several criteria: respect for the legal order, participation in economic life (stable employment or valid reasons), desire for continuing training, contacts with the Swiss population, and knowledge of local living conditions (geography, politics, culture). Some cantons organize a civic knowledge test.

Costs of naturalization

Costs vary considerably depending on the canton and municipality. The federal tax is CHF 100 for adults and CHF 50 for minors. Cantonal and municipal taxes represent the majority of the total cost.

• Federal tax: CHF 100 (adult) / CHF 50 (minor)
• Cantonal tax: CHF 500 to CHF 2,000 depending on the canton
• Municipal tax: CHF 200 to CHF 1,500 depending on the municipality
• Average total cost: CHF 1,500 to CHF 3,000 per adult
• Some cantons (e.g. Fribourg, Jura) are significantly cheaper than Zurich or Geneva

Deadlines and statistics

The complete procedure lasts on average 1 to 3 years for ordinary naturalization, depending on the canton and municipality. In 2024, around 42,000 people will obtain Swiss nationality. The nationalities most represented among naturalized citizens are Italians, Germans, Portuguese, French and Kosovars.

The refusal rate is relatively low (around 5 to 10%), but it increases significantly in the event of an incomplete file, linguistic insufficiency or integration problems. Prepare your file carefully and do not hesitate to take a naturalization preparation course.

Related Services

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Useful Guides

Guide Finding an Apartment in Switzerland Guide Preparing Your Rental Application in Switzerland Guide Rental Deposit in Switzerland Guide Health Insurance in Switzerland

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children born in Switzerland automatically obtain nationality?

No, Switzerland does not apply soil law. A child born in Switzerland to foreign parents does not automatically become Swiss. He obtained nationality from his parents. However, children of the third generation (whose grandparent has lived in Switzerland) can benefit from a facilitated naturalization procedure if they submit their application before the age of 25.

Does Switzerland allow dual nationality?

Yes, Switzerland has allowed dual (or multiple) nationality since 1992. You can keep your original nationality by becoming Swiss, provided your country of origin also allows it. Check your country's laws: some countries (like China or Japan) do not accept dual nationality and you will have to renounce your original nationality.

What happens if I fail the language or integration test?

If you fail the language test, you can retake it as many times as necessary. The naturalization application will simply be suspended until you reach the required level. For the integration interview, in the event of insufficient results, the municipality may grant you additional time to improve your integration. A final refusal does not prevent you from submitting a new application later.