Switzerland is one of the most progressive countries in the world. Here you can find everything for a comfortable life: prestigious jobs, large incomes, a high level of medicine, prospects, many interesting places for leisure, and much more. Therefore, it is not surprising that many foreign citizens dream of permanent residence in this country. 

Obtaining citizenship in Switzerland, of course, is possible. However, this procedure is very complicated and long-term. For example, a study by the Federal Migration Commission back in 2012 found that only about 36,000 foreigners were granted Swiss citizenship, even though about 900,000 people were eligible for it. Since 2018, the requirements and conditions for permanent residence have become even more strict.  

So, how to become a Swiss citizen, read in the article. 

What you need to do to get citizenship 

Swiss citizenship can be obtained by various categories of foreigners, including residents living in the country for a certain period. The requirements depend on nationality and personal circumstances. Usually, foreign citizens have the right to obtain citizenship, provided they live in the country for 10 years and more. In general, there are three main conditions under which a person can apply for a Swiss passport:

1. A person is a child - born or adopted - to a Swiss citizen.

If the baby is only born on the territory of the state, but the parents are foreigners, then this does not give them the right to obtain citizenship. A child may become a Swiss citizen under the following conditions: 

• A descendant of married parents, one of whom is Swiss;

• born to an unmarried Swiss mother;

• born to an unmarried Swiss if paternity is recognized before the age of 22;

• a foreign child under the age of 22 who was not included in the naturalization of his father and lived in Switzerland for five years, including one year immediately before the application;

• the child of Swiss parents who have lost their citizenship but can show close ties with the country.

2. Marriage to a Swiss citizen. 

You can apply for accelerated naturalization if the person is married to a Swiss citizen, but under the following conditions:  

• residence in Switzerland for 5 years, including the last 12 months immediately before the application;

• being married for at least 3 years;

• knowledge of Swiss spoken language at B1 level and writing at A2 level;

• integration into Swiss life and familiarity with Swiss customs;

• compliance with Swiss laws;

• absence of the period spent on social assistance over the past three years.

Simplified naturalization is entitled to persons who are officially married to Swiss citizens. If we are talking about a registered partnership, then in this case you can apply for citizenship only through ordinary naturalization.

3. Naturalization after living in the country for 10 years.

After 10 years of continuous residence in Switzerland, persons who do not have the right to simplified naturalization can apply for Swiss citizenship through ordinary naturalization. This procedure is open to anyone who meets the residency requirements and has a category C residence permit. 

First of all, it is necessary to apply through a local canton or commune. To clarify the details, contact the cantonal naturalization authority or find out the information here.

You need to present the following documents:  

• application form;

• confirmation of residence permit C;

• proof of language proficiency received at a registered language school in Switzerland.

The list of documents may vary depending on the Swiss canton or commune.

In addition, refugees living in the country for a long time have the right to apply for citizenship. A more simplified procedure can be applied for people doing business in Switzerland, as well as gifted public figures who make a significant contribution to the development of the country.  

The State Secretariat for Migration is responsible for immigration and citizenship, although for the most part all procedures are carried out at the cantonal level.