Becoming a citizen of Switzerland: residence and dual nationality

Swiss citizenship is among the slowest to acquire in Europe, and the process runs through three levels of government: your commune, your canton and the federal State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). For Americans the good news is that Switzerland allows dual nationality and US law permits it too. This guide sets out the federal rules as SEM publishes them, the cantonal layer on top, and what it means for your US passport.

Two main routes

For most Americans there are two realistic paths:

• Ordinary naturalisation, based on long residence.
• Simplified naturalisation, for spouses of Swiss citizens.

SEM lists other categories, such as children of Swiss citizens, third-generation foreign nationals, stateless persons and reinstatement of citizenship, but they apply to far fewer people.

Ordinary naturalisation: the federal requirements

SEM states that foreign nationals who have lived in Switzerland for ten years and hold a permanent residence permit (C permit) can apply for ordinary naturalisation to their commune or canton of residence. Both conditions are required. A B permit holder with eleven years of residence cannot apply until the C permit is granted.

How the ten years are counted:

• Years spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 count double, but you must have actually lived in Switzerland for at least six years.
• Time with a B or C permit counts in full, as does time with an FDFA legitimation card or a Ci permit.
• Time with an F permit (provisional admission) counts only by half.
• Time during an asylum procedure (N permit) or on a short-stay L permit does not count.

The L permit rule matters for Americans who arrive on short-term assignments. Years on an L permit do not move you closer to citizenship.

The cantonal and communal layer

Federal law sets the minimum. On top of it, cantonal legislation requires a minimum residence period of between two and five years in the canton and the commune concerned. Moving cantons late in the process can therefore reset part of your clock. The procedure in the canton and commune is governed by cantonal law, and cantons may set additional integration requirements.

The cantonal authority checks whether you meet the formal requirements, are successfully integrated and are familiar with the Swiss way of life, then writes a naturalisation report.

The federal naturalisation licence

Once the canton and commune are satisfied, they forward your file to SEM. To receive the federal naturalisation licence you must:

• be successfully integrated
• be familiar with the Swiss way of life
• not pose a threat to Switzerland's internal or external security

SEM then sends the licence to the cantonal authority, which must issue its naturalisation decision within one year. After that, the licence ceases to be valid. The canton can still refuse if it learns of matters after the licence was granted that would have led it not to recommend you. When the cantonal decision becomes legally binding, you acquire communal, cantonal and federal citizenship at once.

What successful integration means

SEM spells out the integration criteria in its guidance on simplified naturalisation, and they mirror what cantons look for. You are considered successfully integrated in particular if you:

• respect public security and order, for example by paying taxes on time, not being subject to debt collection proceedings, having no certified unpaid debts and no criminal record
• respect the values of the Federal Constitution
• can communicate in a national language in everyday situations, orally and in writing
• participate in economic life or acquire an education, which includes not having claimed social assistance in the three years before applying, or having repaid it in full
• encourage and support your family's integration

SEM states that appropriate account is taken of disability, illness or other significant personal circumstances that limit work, education or language learning.

Because debt collection proceedings count against you, pay Swiss invoices, tax bills and health insurance premiums on time from your first year.

Language requirements

SEM requires everyone applying for naturalisation, as well as for family reunification and residence or permanent residence permits, to prove knowledge of a national language. For naturalisation the minimum is spoken B1 and written A2 in German, French or Italian. SEM publishes a list of recognised language certificates and updates it regularly. Cantons may set higher levels.

English does not count, even in international communities in Zurich, Geneva or Basel. Choose the national language used in your commune.

Simplified naturalisation through marriage

If you are married to a Swiss citizen and live in Switzerland, SEM lists these conditions:

• five years of total residence in Switzerland
• the year before applying spent in Switzerland
• married to and living with the Swiss citizen for three years

Spouses of Swiss citizens living abroad can apply after six years of marriage if they have close ties with Switzerland. Simplified naturalisation is not possible if both spouses were foreign at the time of marriage and the partner later naturalised through the ordinary route, or if the Swiss spouse dies before the application is submitted. The same integration criteria and the B1 spoken and A2 written levels apply.

Fees

SEM charges these federal fees for the decision on the naturalisation licence:

• CHF 100 for an applicant over 18
• CHF 150 for spouses applying jointly
• CHF 50 for an applicant under 18

Communal and cantonal fees come on top and are set by cantonal law. You obtain the application form from the naturalisation authority where you live and submit it there.

Dual nationality: Switzerland and the US

SEM states that under Swiss law you no longer need to give up your previous citizenship when you become Swiss. It adds that your country of origin may have its own rules, and the Swiss authorities cannot tell you whether you will keep your current nationality; that question goes to your own country's authorities.

For Americans, the U.S. Embassy in Bern states that dual and multiple citizenship is permitted under US law. It also reminds dual nationals that all US citizens must enter and exit the United States using a valid US passport, so keep yours current even after you hold a Swiss one.

On military service, SEM notes that service is normally performed in the country where the person lives at the time of recruitment, and people who have already served for another country will not be called up in Switzerland.

Naturalising does not change your US tax position. As a US citizen you keep filing US returns wherever you live.

Common questions

How long does it take an American to qualify for Swiss citizenship? Ten years of residence plus a C permit for ordinary naturalisation, with years between ages 8 and 18 counting double. Cantons add a two to five year local residence requirement.

Do I have to give up US citizenship to become Swiss? Switzerland does not require it, and the U.S. Embassy in Bern states that dual citizenship is permitted under US law. You must still use a US passport to enter and leave the United States.

What language level do I need? At least B1 spoken and A2 written in German, French or Italian, proven with a certificate on SEM's recognised list. Cantons may ask for more.

Do years on an L permit count? No. SEM excludes time on a short-stay L permit and during an asylum procedure. B and C permit years count in full.