How Long Does Swiss Naturalisation Take?
For ordinary naturalisation, it usually takes at least 10 years from your first day of residence in Switzerland to receiving a Swiss passport. Once all requirements are met, the actual procedure length depends heavily on your municipality.
15 minutes a day
Preparation time depends on how structured your learning is. With 15 minutes a day and spaced repetition, you will make steady progress: the app plans your learning path, from federal knowledge to the specific questions of your municipality.
The app is available in German, French, Italian and Romansh. The naturalisation test is held in the local language.
Timeline
10
years
Residence in Switzerland (prerequisite)
1-5+
years
Procedure duration (varies by municipality)
1. The Residency Period
Before submitting an application, you must prove at least 10 years of residence in Switzerland, including 3 of the last 5 years immediately before submission. Years of residence between the ages of 8 and 18 count double. The actual stay must still be at least 6 years. If you are married to a Swiss citizen (5 years of residence, 3 years of marriage) or belong to the third generation, you may be able to use facilitated naturalisation. Cantons can also require higher language levels than B1 oral and A2 written.
2. Test Preparation
How long you need to prepare depends on your prior knowledge and how much time you can spend studying. The test covers federal, cantonal, and local knowledge. The right app saves a lot of time.
3. Procedure Duration
The procedure duration after submitting an application varies greatly and is hard to predict. Depending on the canton, municipality, and workload of the authorities, the process can take one to several years. Large cities often have significantly longer waiting times than smaller municipalities.
4. What Influences the Duration
- Completeness of documents submitted in the first application
- Appointment availability for the naturalisation test in your municipality
- Waiting list for the personal interview before the commission
- Any additional information requests from authorities
- Small municipalities often decide faster than cities
5. The Procedure Steps at a Glance
- Submit the application to your municipality of residence, including evidence of residence, integration and language skills.
- Formal review by the municipality: are all requirements met and the documents complete?
- Naturalisation test and/or personal interview before the responsible municipal commission.
- Cantonal review and granting of the cantonal naturalisation permit.
- Federal naturalisation permit from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
- Formal naturalisation decision by the municipality or canton, followed by issue of the Swiss passport.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to live in Switzerland before I can apply for naturalisation?
At least 10 years, including 3 of the last 5 years immediately before the application is submitted. Years of residence between the ages of 8 and 18 count double, but the actual stay must still be at least 6 years.
How long does the naturalisation procedure take after the application is submitted?
The procedure duration varies greatly and is hard to predict. Depending on the canton and municipality, the process can take one to several years. Large cities often have significantly longer waiting times than smaller municipalities.
What can shorten the procedure?
Complete documents with the first application, good test preparation so you pass on the first attempt, and registering for the naturalisation test in good time.
What steps does the naturalisation procedure involve?
Application to your municipality of residence, formal review, naturalisation test or interview before the commission, cantonal permit, federal naturalisation permit from the SEM, and finally the formal naturalisation decision by the municipality or canton.
Official sources
Further Reading