The naturalisation process: step by step

Overview: three levels, one order

The Citizenship Act regulates the procedure in Articles 13 and 14. Put simply: first the municipality and the canton check, then the Confederation gives its approval, and finally the canton decides. The exact arrangements differ between cantons, for example whether the test comes before or after the application.

1. Check the requirements

First check whether you meet the requirements: a C permit, ten years of residence and your canton’s residence requirement. Many municipalities offer an information meeting. In Glarus an information evening is even compulsory, and in Appenzell Ausserrhoden an initial interview.

2. Plan the language certificate and test

Unless you are exempt, you need a language certificate, often the fide language passport. In several cantons you must also pass the citizenship test before submitting your application, for example in Bern, Aargau, Obwalden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Glarus and Geneva. In Solothurn and Ticino you attend a course with a final test.

3. Submit the application

The canton decides which authority receives the application. Usually it is your municipality. Typical documents are:

• application form and CV
• C permit and passport
• confirmations of how long you have lived where
• extract from the debt enforcement register
• extract from the criminal record
• language certificate and, where required, test certificate
• proof of work or education

The responsible office will give you the exact list. The first fees are usually due when you apply.

4. Assessment and interview

The municipality and the canton assess your integration. Often a cantonal office or the police prepare an assessment report. Many municipalities invite you to a naturalisation interview about your daily life, your municipality and your knowledge of Switzerland. In some cantons the interview also checks basic knowledge. Tips in the guide to the naturalisation interview.

The responsible authority then decides whether to promise municipal citizenship. Depending on the canton this is the municipal council, a committee, the burgher community or the municipal assembly.

5. Federal approval

If the canton and the municipality can promise naturalisation, the canton forwards the application to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). If all requirements are met, the SEM issues the federal naturalisation permit. It decides usually within eight months of receiving the complete file (Art. 23 SCO). The federal fee is 100 francs for an adult and is charged in advance.

6. The canton’s decision

After federal approval the canton makes its naturalisation decision within one year. If this deadline passes, the federal permit becomes invalid (Art. 14 para. 1 SCA). If facts that speak against naturalisation come to light during this time, the canton refuses.

With the final decision you acquire the citizenship of the municipality, the canton and Switzerland at the same time. Depending on the canton, the decision is made by the cantonal government, the cantonal parliament or a cantonal authority. In some cantons parliament grants naturalisation, for example the Grand Council in Fribourg, Valais and Appenzell Innerrhoden or the Landrat in Basel-Landschaft.

After the decision

With your new citizenship you can apply for a Swiss passport and identity card. Some cantons and municipalities invite new citizens to a ceremony. From now on you can vote and elect.

Moving during the procedure

If the canton and the municipality have already completed their assessment of your integration, they remain responsible if you move (Art. 18 para. 2 SCA). If you move before that, the procedure can end. In Appenzell Ausserrhoden it becomes void if you change municipality. If you are planning a move, discuss it with the responsible office beforehand.