Requirements for Regular Naturalisation
The path to a Swiss passport is linked to clear legal conditions. Since 2018, standardised rules apply to ordinary naturalisation.
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The app is available in German, French, Italian and Romansh. The naturalisation test is held in the local language.
1. Residence Periods
The basic requirement is a total stay of 10 years in Switzerland. Three of the last five years must have been spent in Switzerland immediately before the application. Years of residence between the ages of 8 and 18 count double, which simplifies access.
2. Settlement Permit (Permit C)
Since 2018, holding a Permit C is mandatory. EU/EFTA citizens receive it after 5 years, third-country nationals generally after 10 years of legal residence.
3. Integration as a Core Criterion
- Language Skills: Oral B1, written A2 in a Swiss national language.
- Economic Independence: No social assistance in the last 3 years.
- Security and Order: Clean criminal record, no ongoing debt enforcement proceedings.
- Social Integration: Participation in social life, club memberships, neighborhood contacts.
4. Additional Cantonal and Municipal Requirements
In addition to federal requirements, cantons and municipalities may set their own criteria: minimum residence period in the canton (between 2 and 5 years, depending on the canton), passed naturalisation test, and personal interview before the commission.
Official Sources
Further Reading