Citizenship of Switzerland

Switzerland is known for one of the most complicated and lengthy procedures for obtaining citizenship. The main program requires permanent residence in the country for 10–12 years, passing a language exam, and a test on history and politics. In addition, a new citizen receives a stable legal framework, a high standard of living, and the ability to move freely across European countries.

Who would benefit from this program?

The program will be especially attractive to experts and business professionals. Currently, Switzerland does not offer simplified procedures for obtaining citizenship. However, there are preferential conditions for spouses of Swiss citizens and children.

Ways to Obtain Citizenship

One of the unique features of Switzerland is that the country is divided into 26 cantons (similar to regions). There is general federal legislation, but many issues are delegated to local authorities for consideration.

To obtain Swiss citizenship, it is necessary to:

• Obtain a residence permit.
• Live in Switzerland for more than 10 years.
• Pass a language exam, confirming knowledge of Swiss culture, history, geography, and socio-political structure.
• Prepare a set of documents.
• Confirm active participation in community life (attendance of cultural events and institutions).

The simplified naturalization procedure applies to EU citizens. An EU passport allows for easy border crossing into Switzerland.

Way 1: By Origin and Adoption

This path is available for children when at least one parent is a Swiss citizen. Only minors can obtain citizenship through adoption.

Way 2: Naturalization

Obtaining Swiss citizenship through the standard naturalization procedure requires meeting the following conditions:

• Confirm 10 years of residence in Switzerland (during the 5 years prior to applying), of which at least 3 years must be permanent.
• Reside in one of the cantons of Switzerland for 2 to 5 years—the specific duration is determined by local authorities.
• Have a pre-arranged residence permit.

For minors aged 8 to 18, there is a special procedure for calculating the length of residence. Every 12 months of their stay in Switzerland counts as 2 years.

There are several ways to obtain a residence permit, which opens the prospect of subsequently applying for citizenship.

Ways to obtain a residence permit:

• Employment: You need to sign a contract with an employer in Switzerland. The employer handles the work permit for the foreigner.
• Business activities: You can register as a legal entity or sole proprietor.
• Education: You need to enroll in a Swiss university, after which you can legalize your stay by starting a business or getting a job.

The processing time for a citizenship application usually takes about 2 years, but it can vary depending on the basis of immigration.

Simplified Naturalization

The following groups can expect expedited passport processing:

• Spouses of EU citizens
• Children and grandchildren of repatriates
• Individuals under 25 from migrant families
• Former EU citizens
• Stateless individuals

Simplified naturalization is applicable to individuals who have lived in Switzerland for at least 5 years.

Important

Descendants of Swiss citizens may obtain a passport more quickly. There is a repatriation program designed for 12 months. It is necessary to confirm one's ancestry and the right to restore the citizenship of ancestors.

Advantages of Swiss Citizenship

A country with a mild climate and beautiful landscapes opens up opportunities for a comfortable life, doing business, and planning for the future:

• High standard of living and social guarantees. Switzerland ranks among the top countries in the world for quality of life and social services. Citizens benefit from excellent infrastructure and healthcare.
• Stable economy. Switzerland offers opportunities for starting and developing a business with government support.
• Convenience of travel. A Swiss passport allows visa-free access to 169 countries around the world.
• Confidentiality and capital protection. Switzerland guarantees a high level of protection for private property and banking secrecy.
• Possibility of inheritance of citizenship. The children of Swiss citizens automatically receive citizenship, regardless of their place of birth.

Dual Citizenship

In Switzerland, dual citizenship is permitted without restrictions. Neither Swiss citizens seeking a second citizenship nor applicants for a Swiss passport need to renounce their citizenship from their country of origin.

Interesting

In 2023, the share of Swiss citizens holding dual citizenship amounted to 20% of the country's total population. This is approximately 1.9 million people. The most popular second citizenship is Italian, held by 23% of those with dual citizenship. French citizenship ranks second (11%), followed by German citizenship (9%).

Citizenship by Investment Program

The decision to issue a permit is made by the authorities at the cantonal level. The amount of required investment is determined individually for each applicant.

Investment Options:

• Registration and operation of a business in Switzerland. The annual turnover of the company must be at least 1 million Swiss francs.
• An annual tax payment of between 100,000 and 1.5 million Swiss francs is required, depending on living expenses. This investment option does not require disclosure of information about foreign assets and income.

A residence permit is issued for 1 year with the possibility of extension. Investments will not expedite the acquisition of citizenship.

Recent Reforms of the Citizenship Program

In 2021, new rules came into effect. Authorities have complicated the naturalization process:

• It is now required to have lived in the country for at least 10 years, reduced from the previous 12. While this might seem like a simplification at first glance, it is actually only minimal.
• More stringent language proficiency requirements have been introduced. Candidates for naturalization must now demonstrate their ability in one of Switzerland's four official languages (German, French, Italian, or Romansh) at a B1 level.
• Additional requirements have also been implemented in various cantons that cannot be overlooked. Local authorities frequently insist on mandatory knowledge of the local dialect.
  

The slightest omission or error can result in a denial of naturalization.

Step-by-step application process

The process of obtaining Swiss citizenship includes several mandatory steps:

In case of a positive result, one can obtain a passport and other documents confirming citizen status. It is important to note that applications for citizenship can only be submitted while in Switzerland.

Gathering documents and submitting an application

The following documents are required for the citizenship application:

• Completed citizenship application form.
• Copy of the passport.
• Proof of residence for the last 5–10 years.
• Income statement.
• Birth and marriage certificates (if applicable).
• Documents regarding education or professional activity received in Switzerland.

All applicants must pay a fee. For adult Russian citizens, it amounts to 8,400 rubles. For children aged 6 to 12 years, the fee is 4,200 rubles. Children under 6 years old are exempt from the fee.

Consideration and Decision

The process from submitting documents to receiving a Swiss citizenship passport usually takes between 2 to 3 years. This is due to the verification of data and the need for decision-making approval at various levels of government.

The disadvantages of Swiss citizenship for investment

Obtaining a passport in exchange for investments may seem like an attractive option for wealthy individuals. However, this route has its drawbacks that are worth knowing:

• High costs: The minimum required investment starts at 1.5 million Swiss francs, and it can be even higher in some cantons.
• Long terms: The procedure for reviewing applications and all supporting documents typically takes between 1 to 2 years. During this time, multiple visits to Switzerland will be necessary. Additionally, after obtaining a residence permit, one must reside in the country for 10 years.
• High taxes: Switzerland is known not only for its high standard of living but also for its tax burden. After obtaining a passport, individuals will have to pay income tax on all global earnings.