Facilitated naturalisation
For spouses of Swiss citizens and young third-generation foreign nationals, facilitated (sometimes called simplified) naturalisation is a federal procedure: shorter, and with no C permit required.
Spouse of a Swiss citizen living in Switzerland
- 5 years of residence in Switzerland in total, including the year before the application.
- 3 years of marriage and actually living together with your Swiss spouse.
- Successful integration, with the same language requirements as ordinary naturalisation (B1 spoken, A2 written).
A C permit is not required. Source: SEM.
Spouse living abroad
If you live abroad with your Swiss spouse, you can apply after 6 years of marriage, provided you have close ties with Switzerland (regular stays, language, contacts).
Third-generation foreign nationals
Young people under 25 who were born in Switzerland, hold a C permit and completed at least 5 years of compulsory schooling in Switzerland can apply for facilitated naturalisation if a parent and a grandparent also meet certain residence conditions. The SEM fee is CHF 500 for an adult and CHF 250 for a minor.
Procedure and cost
The application is filed directly with the SEM, which consults the canton. The fee for a spouse is CHF 900, paid in advance and not refunded if the application is refused. That is why a pre-check before filing is particularly useful.
Documents required
Marriage certificate, birth certificates, proof of living together, residence certificates, debt collection certificate and criminal record extract, language certificate. If you married abroad, the certificate often needs an apostille and a translation: we take care of that.
FAQ
Do I need a C permit for facilitated naturalisation?
No. The spouse of a Swiss citizen can apply with a B permit, provided they meet the 5 years of residence and 3 years of marriage.
Do years of living together before marriage count?
No, only years of marriage or registered partnership count towards the 3 years.
How long does the procedure take?
Usually between 12 and 24 months after the complete application has been filed with the SEM.
Start with the free test
In less than a minute, find out whether you can apply now, or how long you still have to wait.