How Much Does Swiss Naturalisation Cost?
Naturalisation fees vary considerably depending on the canton and municipality. Depending on where you live and your situation, expect total costs from around CHF 300 to over CHF 5000, in addition to any translation and course costs, for example for the fide language certificate.
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Fee Overview
Federal fee
Tiered: individual / couple / minors
CHF 100 to 150
Cantonal fee
Varies by canton
CHF 0 to 2000
Municipal fee
Greatest variability here
CHF 0 to over 3500
Total approx.
CHF 300 to over 5000
1. Federal Fee, CHF 100 to 150
The federal government charges a tiered fee for the ordinary naturalisation procedure: CHF 100 for individuals, CHF 150 for married couples or families applying jointly, and CHF 50 for minors. These amounts are identical throughout Switzerland and are payable once only. According to the SEM, facilitated naturalisation of spouses of Swiss citizens living in Switzerland costs CHF 900 in total; see facilitated naturalisation for requirements and procedure.
2. Cantonal Fees, CHF 0 to 2000
The cantons charge additional fees that vary considerably. Some cantons charge less than CHF 200, others more than CHF 1000. You can find out the exact amounts directly from the cantonal migration office.
3. Municipal Fees, CHF 0 to over 3500
The greatest variability is at the municipal level. Large cities often have higher fees than small rural municipalities. Some municipalities or districts charge over CHF 3500 (district of Einsiedeln: CHF 3600 for an individual), in Glarus up to CHF 2100 per person, others nothing at all. It is worth finding this out early. Two examples: a single adult aged 25 or over pays a total of CHF 900 in the city of Basel since 1 July 2026 (municipal fee CHF 800 plus federal fee CHF 100). A person under 20 in the canton of Zurich pays only the federal fee (CHF 100, or CHF 50 under 18), because the canton and the municipality charge nothing at that age.
4. Additional Costs
- Translation of foreign documents (CHF 50-500 depending on volume)
- Official certifications and extracts
- Language or integration courses if not yet completed
- Optional: legal advice or support from a specialist service
5. Cost Examples by Canton
All 26 cantons, as of September 2026 (Basel-Stadt checked on 17 October 2026). Where the canton does not state a fixed amount, an example from the cantonal capital is given. The amounts come from the official cantonal offices but are only a guide: always ask your municipality of residence directly about your application.
Zurich
Canton free under 20, CHF 250 (20 to 25), CHF 500 (25 and over); municipal fee depends on the municipality.
View sourceBern
Canton CHF 1150 (individual) / CHF 1725 (couple); municipal fee depends on the municipality of residence.
View sourceVaud
Canton CHF 450 plus CHF 75 (individual) or CHF 550 plus CHF 75 (family); municipality CHF 100-500 across the canton depending on the application.
View sourceAargau
Canton CHF 750 (individual), CHF 375 per child aged 10 and over; municipality CHF 1500 across the canton (individual), CHF 750 per child aged 10 and over.
View sourceGeneva
CHF 850 (under 25) to CHF 1250 (25 and over), couples up to CHF 2000, CHF 300 per child included. No additional municipal fee is provided for.
View sourceTicino
Canton CHF 800 (individual) plus CHF 100 per minor child; each municipality sets its own municipal fee.
View sourceFribourg
Canton CHF 800 to 1500, municipality CHF 0 to 1500; total costs including the federal fee CHF 800 to 3150.
View sourceSt. Gallen
Cantonal fee according to the fee schedule between CHF 100 and 2000, depending on the effort of the procedure. Municipal fee according to the schedule CHF 100 to 1800 (individual), CHF 100 to 2500 (couple).
View sourceGrisons
Canton depending on effort: individual CHF 100 to 1300, couple CHF 150 to 1600 (with children up to 1800). The citizens' municipality charges its own fee, at most CHF 2000 per person.
View sourceBasel-Stadt
Since 1 July 2026 the cantonal procedure is free of charge. Total for individuals aged 25 and over: Basel CHF 900, Riehen CHF 1800, Bettingen CHF 1500. Under 25, or receiving premium reductions, supplementary benefits or social assistance through no fault of your own: no municipal fee, only the federal fee.
View sourceLucerne
City of Lucerne CHF 500 flat rate from age 25 (couples too), free under 25; federal and cantonal fees on top CHF 200-550.
View sourceUri
Canton CHF 1000 (from age 20, couples too), CHF 500 (up to age 19); the municipality of Altdorf charges the same amounts.
View sourceSchwyz
Canton depending on effort: CHF 100 to 500 (individual), CHF 100 to 1000 (couple or family); up to double if the effort is above average.
View sourceObwalden
Canton CHF 1000 (individual), CHF 1600 (couple), CHF 300 per child; plus police report CHF 500-1000.
View sourceNidwalden
Municipality CHF 1400 to 1600 (adult individual), CHF 2100 to 2300 (couple); canton CHF 1000 to 1500 (individual), CHF 1300 to 1800 (couple).
View sourceGlarus
Municipality max. CHF 2100 per person, canton max. CHF 1000 or 1500 per application, depending on effort; children included free of charge.
View sourceZug
Citizens' municipality of Zug CHF 2000 (individual), CHF 2400 (couple or with children); the canton charges cost-covering fees depending on effort.
View sourceSolothurn
Citizens' municipality of Solothurn approx. CHF 1500 (individual), 1800 (couple), 2000 (family); federal and cantonal fees together approx. CHF 1800 to 2200 according to the citizens' municipality (canton approx. CHF 1500 to 2500 depending on effort according to the Office for Municipalities).
View sourceBasel-Landschaft
Canton CHF 1550 plus CHF 150 per additional person (max. 2000); citizens' municipality of Liestal CHF 1500 (individual), 1800 (couple).
View sourceSchaffhausen
Canton CHF 850 and municipality CHF 1150; for joint naturalisation of spouses or children only once.
View sourceAppenzell Ausserrhoden
Canton CHF 1000 (individual), CHF 1500 (couple), CHF 150 per child; municipality max. CHF 2000 per application depending on effort.
View sourceAppenzell Innerrhoden
Canton CHF 1000 per person aged 20 and over, CHF 500 up to age 20, CHF 100 per child included.
View sourceThurgau
Canton CHF 800 per person aged 18 and over, CHF 400 up to age 18 (no fee for children naturalised with a parent); the municipality sets its own fee.
View sourceNeuchâtel
Canton CHF 1500 (individual), CHF 1900 (couple), CHF 650 (minors); municipality CHF 150 or 200.
View sourceValais
Canton CHF 300 (individual) or 500 (family) plus CHF 55 health stamp; municipality max. CHF 1000, recommended 500 or 1000.
View sourceJura
Canton CHF 200 per person under 25, CHF 500 to 1000 per application from age 25; municipal fee depends on the municipality.
View sourceFrequently asked questions
How much does naturalisation in Switzerland cost?
The federal government charges CHF 100 for individuals, CHF 150 for married couples or families applying jointly and CHF 50 for minors. Cantonal fees (CHF 0-2000) and municipal fees (CHF 0 to over 3500) come on top. Total: roughly CHF 300 to over CHF 5000 depending on where you live and your situation.
How high is the federal fee for naturalisation?
The federal fee is tiered: CHF 100 for individuals, CHF 150 for married couples or families applying jointly and CHF 50 for minors, identical throughout Switzerland.
What other costs arise with naturalisation?
Besides the fees, there may be costs for translating documents, certifications and any language courses.
Why do naturalisation costs differ so much between cantons?
Every canton and every municipality sets its own naturalisation fees. The range runs from a few hundred francs (e.g. canton of Zurich for under-25s) to over CHF 5000 (e.g. maximum rates for a couple in the canton of Glarus). You can find out the current amounts for your municipality of residence directly from the cantonal migration office.
Official Sources