Investigating Swiss citizenship offers a number of opportunities in a nation well-known for its strong economic structure and international diplomacy. This guide outlines the different paths, prerequisites, and procedures involved in becoming a citizen of this nation. For further information on how to obtain Swiss citizenship, feel free to contact one of our immigration attorneys.
Different ways to get citizenship in Switzerland
Switzerland’s various citizenship requirements
The procedure of obtaining Swiss citizenship is extensive and frequently intricate, entailing fulfilling particular criteria and undergoing multiple evaluation phases. Beyond its picturesque scenery, Switzerland is enthralling due to its innovative, inclusive, and high-standard lifestyle.
Our immigration attorneys have outlined three typical methods below to assist you in obtaining Swiss citizenship:
Naturalization via Conventional Process
The most popular route to becoming a citizen of Switzerland is this one. It entails meeting a number of conditions, including those pertaining to life, language, and integration. As an example,
Residency requirements: Depending on your canton of residence and other variables, you may need to have resided in Switzerland for around 12 years. If this condition has been met, please speak with one of our Swiss immigration attorneys to find out what to do next. They can offer you advice on obtaining Swiss citizenship;
Language proficiency: You must be proficient in at least one of the canton you now call home, both orally and in writing. Typically, this calls for passing language exams. Candidates must exhibit proficiency in one of the national languages—German, French, Italian, or Romansh—at least at the B1 level;
Assimilation and integration: You ought to have adapted to Swiss culture, followed Swiss traditions, and shown a desire to make constructive contributions to the community;
criminal history check: You must behave well and have no criminal history;
Financial stability: You ought to be independent of social services and financially self-sufficient;
Application and approval: The local authorities in your canton should receive your application. The application must be approved by these before being forwarded to the national immigration authorities.
Federal approval: Your application is reviewed by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) at the federal level. If your application is accepted, you can be asked to a naturalization ceremony where you’ll swear loyalty to Switzerland.
Please speak with our Swiss immigration lawyers if you have any more queries concerning the requirements.
2. Assisted Third-Generation Immigrants in Naturalization
For foreign nationals whose grandparents were Swiss citizens, this procedure is intended. It’s a streamlined process designed to identify these people’s past connections to Switzerland. Please speak with our attorneys if you intend to immigrate to Switzerland through aided naturalization. Please take note that the requirements have also been tightened. Candidates must have a valid C permit in Switzerland and have completed at least five years of education in the country. At least one of the parents must also meet these final two requirements. In addition, the parents need to have lived in the nation for a minimum of ten years. Additionally, at least one of the grandparents must be a native or have been in Switzerland on a C permit for a predetermined amount of time.
Please contact our legal assistance if you have any more questions regarding how to obtain citizenship in Switzerland through aided naturalization. You can also get assistance from our immigration lawyers if you need assistance applying for a residence visa in Switzerland.
3. Swiss citizenship by matrimony
While marrying a Swiss national can speed up the naturalization process, it does not confer automatic citizenship. It is necessary to be married to a Swiss national and to have resided in Switzerland for a specific amount of time—typically less time than is needed for ordinary naturalization. For example, both of you must meet the 10-year residency requirement if you and your partner are applying for citizenship together. There are three ways to relocate to Switzerland and obtain Swiss citizenship.
Switzerland’s B-permit
In Switzerland, a residency permission is referred to as a B permit. Foreign nationals who want to reside and work in Switzerland for an extended period of time are granted what is officially known as the “Residence Permit for Gainful Employment” (Aufenthaltsbewilligung). Non-EU/EFTA nationals can live and work in Switzerland for more than three months with a B permit.
Switzerland’s Immigrants in 2022
Please locate the Switzerland immigration figures for 2022 below:
In 2022, the net migration of permanent foreign residents increased by 81,345 persons over the previous year, a 19,819 increase over the previous year; overall, immigration increased by 14.8 percent in 2022; as of December 2022, there were 2,241,854 permanent foreign nationals living in Switzerland.
Therefore, if you want to become a citizen of Switzerland, you should carefully consider what your particular canton requires. Alternatively, before beginning the citizenship application procedure, get the most recent information by getting in touch with our Swiss immigration lawyers.