Facilitated naturalisation

How it differs from ordinary naturalisation

In facilitated naturalisation the Confederation decides, that is the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The canton prepares an assessment report on your integration. The residence periods are shorter, but integration is still checked: you must respect public safety and order and the values of the Federal Constitution, be able to communicate in a national language and take part in economic life or education.

Important: exemptions from cantonal tests do not automatically apply here. In Neuchâtel, for example, applicants for facilitated naturalisation are always questioned orally, and in Lucerne the list «100 Fragen und Antworten» is intended precisely for this interview.

Spouses of Swiss citizens

Under Article 21 of the Citizenship Act, after marrying a Swiss citizen you can apply if you:

• have been living in marital union for three years with your husband or wife, and
• have lived in Switzerland for a total of five years, including the year immediately before applying.

If you live or have lived abroad, you can also apply if you have been living in marital union for six years and have close ties to Switzerland. This also applies if your spouse acquired Swiss citizenship only after the marriage, through reinstatement or through facilitated naturalisation based on a Swiss parent.

With naturalisation you receive the cantonal and municipal citizenship of your Swiss spouse.

The third generation of immigrants

Since 2018, young people whose family has lived in Switzerland for three generations can be naturalised on a facilitated basis. Under Article 24a, all of the following conditions apply:

• At least one grandparent was born in Switzerland or can credibly show that they acquired a right of residence.
• At least one parent holds a settlement permit, has lived in Switzerland for at least ten years and attended compulsory school in Switzerland for at least five years.
• You were born in Switzerland.
• You hold a settlement permit and attended compulsory school in Switzerland for at least five years.

You must apply before your 25th birthday. You receive the citizenship of your municipality and canton of residence.

Other cases

Children of a Swiss parent who did not receive citizenship at birth and stateless children can also, under certain conditions, be naturalised on a facilitated basis. Anyone who has lost Swiss citizenship can apply for reinstatement. The SEM explains the details on its website.

Process and costs

You submit the application to the SEM. Your canton of residence prepares an assessment report, often including an interview. The SEM decides usually within twelve months of receiving this report (Art. 23 SCO). The fee is 500 francs, or 250 francs for minors in the other cases. The SEM also charges up to 400 francs for the canton’s report.