Ordinary naturalisation in Switzerland
This is the route most foreign nationals settled in Switzerland take to Swiss citizenship. The procedure runs at three levels: the municipality, the canton and the Confederation.
Federal requirements
- C permit (settlement permit) at the time of application.
- 10 years of residence in Switzerland. Years spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 count double, but you need at least 6 years of actual residence. Years on a B or C permit count in full, years on an F permit count for half, and years on an N or L permit do not count.
- Language: the national language spoken where you live, at B1 level spoken and A2 written.
- No social assistance in the 3 years before the application or during the procedure, unless it has been repaid in full.
- Successful integration: respect for public order, participation in economic life or in education, familiarity with living conditions in Switzerland.
Cantonal and municipal requirements
Each canton sets a minimum period of residence on its territory, between 2 and 5 years, and sometimes in the municipality too. Examples: 2 years in the canton of Vaud or Geneva, 3 years in Fribourg, 5 years in Valais (including 3 years in the municipality). Cantons also hold a knowledge test (history, geography, institutions, local life) and often an interview. See the rules in your canton.
Steps in the procedure
- Preparing the application: cantonal forms, identity documents, civil-status documents, debt collection and tax certificates, criminal record extract, language certificate.
- Filing with the cantonal naturalisation office or the municipality, depending on the canton.
- Enquiry and test: knowledge test, interview or hearing by the municipality.
- Municipal and cantonal decision, followed by federal approval from the SEM.
- Grant of citizenship and, depending on the canton, an oath or a ceremony.
Expect between 18 months and 3 years from filing to decision, depending on the canton.
Foreign documents: the usual sticking point
Most applications are delayed by documents from abroad: a recent birth certificate, a marriage certificate, sometimes with an apostille and a translation. That is exactly what we handle: ordering documents and apostilles in your home country, and certified translation.
How much it costs
Official fees add up across three levels: the Confederation (CHF 100 for an adult, CHF 150 for a couple, CHF 50 for a minor), the canton and the municipality. For an adult in Lausanne, the total is about CHF 875. In Geneva, the cantonal fee is CHF 1,250 for an adult over 25. Details on our pricing page.
FAQ
Do years on a B permit count towards naturalisation?
Yes. Years on a B or C permit count in full towards the 10 years. But you must hold a C permit when you apply.
I lived in Switzerland as a child. Does that count double?
Yes, years spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 count double, provided you have at least 6 years of actual residence in total.
What language level do I need?
At least B1 spoken and A2 written in a national language, usually certified by the fide language passport or a recognised diploma.
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