Switzerland: how expats can become Swiss citizens

Whether you’ve lived in Zurich for years, commute between Geneva and London, or have children attending school in Switzerland, many expats eventually ask themselves one important question: how can I get Swiss citizenship?

Naturalisation is more than a legal status. It means security, political participation, and the feeling of truly belonging in your new home. But the path to naturalisation in Switzerland can be complex, and not every form comes with a clear explanation.

This guide outlines who is eligible to apply for a Swiss passport, how the naturalisation process works, and what internationally active professionals should know.

Who can obtain Swiss citizenship?

In short: Swiss citizenship can be acquired by descent, marriage or naturalisation. For expats, the most common route is ordinary naturalisation after ten years of residence.

Most expats living in Switzerland are not eligible for citizenship through birth or marriage. For them, ordinary naturalisation is the usual route – a process subject to specific legal requirements. The key criteria:

At least ten years of residence in Switzerland, including at least three of the last five years continuously.
A permanent residence permit (C permit) at the time of application

Those married to a Swiss citizen can apply for simplified naturalisation – usually after five years of residence and three years of marriage. For children aged 8 to 18, each year of residence counts double, allowing them to apply earlier.

Good to know: Switzerland allows dual citizenship. This means you can usually keep your existing nationality – provided your home country accepts this arrangement.

What are the requirements for naturalisation?

In short: In addition to the minimum length of stay and C permit, there are requirements relating to language skills, integration, financial independence, and lawfulness.

The requirements for Swiss citizenship were standardised nationwide under the revised Citizenship Act of 2018. It’s not just about how long you’ve lived in Switzerland, but how well you’ve integrated.

These requirements must be met:

Language skills: at least B1 oral and A2 written in one of the national languages (German, French or Italian).
Social integration: active participation in community life, such as work, associations, or local contacts.
Financial independence: no current debts, no ongoing social welfare benefits. Any past benefits must have been repaid.
Knowledge of Switzerland: basic understanding of politics, history, geography, and society – often assessed through tests or interviews.
Lawfulness: no serious criminal offences or security-related incidents.

In addition, cantonal and municipal requirements apply. In many cantons, you must have lived in your current municipality for a certain period before submitting your application.

How does the naturalisation process work in Switzerland?

The Swiss naturalisation process involves three levels – federal, cantonal and municipal – and typically takes between one and three years.

The typical process:

Information phase: Obtain the application form from your municipality or cantonal authority and seek guidance.
Submit application: Submit the full application with all required documents. Initial fees apply.
Federal review: The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) verifies whether the legal requirements are met.
Cantonal and municipal review: This stage focuses on your local integration. Many municipalities conduct personal interviews or tests.
Decision: If all three levels approve, you will receive naturalisation approval – and with it, Swiss citizenship.

Important: Avoid changing residence during the process, as this may delay your application or even force you to start over.

In the case of simplified naturalisation (e.g. for spouses of Swiss citizens), the cantonal level is omitted. These applications are handled directly by federal authorities and are usually quicker.

What documents and costs should you expect?

In short: The specific requirements vary slightly by canton – but typical documents include identification, language certificates, a CV, and evidence of your financial and criminal record. Costs typically range from CHF 2’000 to 4’000.

Typical documents:

Passport and permanent residence permit (C permit)
Birth and marriage certificates (if applicable)
CV or personal questionnaire
Language certificate (e.g. fide test, Goethe Certificate)
Certificate of residence from your municipality
Current criminal record extract
Current debt enforcement register extract
Social welfare confirmation (if applicable)

Typical costs:

Federal: CHF 100 (individual), CHF 150 (couple), CHF 50 (minors)
Canton: up to CHF 2’000
Municipality: CHF 500 to 1’000
Additional costs: language tests, documents approx. CHF 250

Important: Fees are usually non-refundable – even if your application is rejected. So, good preparation is doubly worthwhile.

What are the benefits of Swiss citizenship?

In short: you gain full political rights, permanent residence, greater freedom to travel and access to professional opportunities that are only open to citizens.

Your benefits at a glance:

Political participation: You can vote, stand for election and take part in referendums at all levels.
Permanent right of residence: There is no longer an expiry date on your stay in Switzerland.
Freedom to travel: The Swiss passport is one of the most powerful in the world. You gain visa-free access to over 170 countries.
Career opportunities: Certain positions – for example in the diplomatic service or the police – require Swiss citizenship.
Dual citizenship: You usually do not have to give up your previous nationality – depending on your country of origin.

For many expats, naturalisation is also emotionally significant. It signals that you don’t just live here – you truly belong.

Can Swiss citizenship be lost again?

In short: yes, but only in exceptional cases such as fraud during the application process, voluntary renunciation or serious misconduct abroad.

Possible reasons for losing it:

Automatic loss at age 25: Applies to dual nationals born abroad who have no ties to Switzerland.
Voluntary renunciation: Possible if you live permanently abroad and hold at least one other nationality.
Fraud: If false information was provided, citizenship can be revoked for up to eight years after naturalisation.
Revocation on security grounds: In cases of serious harm to Switzerland’s interests – such as terrorism.

For 99% of expats, this is not a concern. If you act honestly and correctly, you’ll remain a Swiss citizen for life.

Frequently asked questions about Swiss citizenship

How long does the naturalisation process take in Switzerland?
Between 1 and 3 years – depending on your place of residence, municipality and type of application.

Can I keep my original citizenship?
Yes, as long as your country of origin allows dual citizenship. Switzerland does.

Is a citizenship test required?
Yes, in many municipalities – either oral or written.

What happens if my application is rejected?
There are usually no legal remedies. Careful preparation is essential.

Conclusion: Is Swiss citizenship worth it?

In short: yes – for expats who plan to stay in Switzerland long term and feel at home here, citizenship is a logical and valuable step.

Naturalisation isn’t easy, but it’s achievable – especially if you approach it with structure. Learning the language, engaging locally and managing your finances aren’t obstacles but clear milestones.

And this is exactly where Alpian supports you. As a Swiss bank for internationally mobile people, we offer digital multi-currency accounts, personal financial advice and a multilingual app. All of this makes your integration – including the financial one – much smoother.