Naturalization in Switzerland: costs and requirements
Naturalized Swiss citizens have many advantages. However, the cost of naturalization is high and varies depending on the canton. Here you’ll find an overview of the costs and requirements.
24.08.2023
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1. How do I become a Swiss citizen?
Would you like to acquire Swiss citizenship? According to Swiss federal law, there are three different variants for this:
1. One parent has Swiss citizenship.
2. You become a naturalized citizen
Naturalization is an official act. There are three options for naturalization in Switzerland:
You have lived in Switzerland for at least ten years. You have been living in Switzerland for at least three of the last five years before your application. You must also have a C residence permit.
You are married to a Swiss citizen.
You are the third generation of immigrants in Switzerland and were born in Switzerland. This provision also applies to stateless minors who have been in Switzerland for more than five years.
3. You have the right to citizenship through adoption by a Swiss national.
You can find more information in the Federal Act on Swiss Citizenship.
Further requirements for naturalization
For naturalization in Switzerland, you must also meet the following requirements:
You are fully integrated and are familiar with life in Switzerland. This means, among other things, that you work or study in Switzerland. You also respect the values of the Federal Constitution of Switzerland.
You do not pose a threat to the internal and external security of Switzerland.
2. How much does Swiss citizenship cost?
Swiss citizens have triple citizenship. They are national, cantonal and communal citizens. If you want to become a Swiss citizen, you have to acquire these three inseparable rights. There are fees associated with all three levels.
Federal level: CHF 100 for an adult, CHF 150 for couples with or without minor children (ordinary naturalization).
Cantonal level: up to 2,000 francs per person.
Communal level: 500 to 1,000 francs per person
This means that depending on where you live, you will have to pay up to 3,100 francs per person to become a Swiss citizen. This is over 12,000 francs for a family of four. In addition, there are costs for the required documents.
Cantonal fees for naturalization
A Comparis analysis from 2019 showed that there are considerable differences in the fees for naturalization in the 26 main towns of the cantons. There are no fixed rates. The cost of the naturalization fee depends on the effort involved.
3. Overview: citizenship costs in Switzerland for single persons in Swiss francs
| Federal | Cantonal | Communal | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lausanne | 100 | 450 | 250 | 800 |
| Sion | 100 | 355 | 500 | 955 |
| Appenzell [1] | 100 | 1,000 | 0 | 1,100 |
| Delsberg | 100 | 565 | 600 | 1,265 |
| Bellinzona | 100 | 450 | 800 | 1,350 |
| Geneva [1] | 100 | 1,250 | 0 | 1,350 |
| Neuchâtel | 100 | 1,500 | 150 | 1,750 |
| Zurich | 100 | 500 | 1,200 | 1,800 |
| Herisau | 100 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,100 |
| Altdorf | 100 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,100 |
| Schaffhausen | 100 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 2,100 |
| St. Gallen | 100 | 700 | 1,400 | 2,200 |
| Basel-Stadt | 100 | 850 | 1,300 | 2,250 |
| Sarnen | 100 | 1,000 | 1,200 | 2,300 |
| Aarau | 100 | 750 | 1,500 | 2,350 |
| Stans | 100 | 900 | 1,400 | 2,400 |
| Frauenfeld | 100 | 800 | 1,550 | 2,450 |
| Fribourg | 100 | 980 | 1,500 | 2,580 |
| Chur | 100 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 2,600 |
| Glarus | 100 | 500 | 2,100 | 2,700 |
| Bern | 100 | 1,150 | 1,500 | 2,750 |
| Zug | 100 | 700 | 2,000 | 2,800 |
| Lucerne [2] | 100 | 350 | 2,200-2,500 | 2,800 |
| Solothurn | 100 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 3,100 |
| Liestal | 100 | 1,550 | 1,500 | 3,150 |
| Schwyz | 100 | 500 | 3,000 | 3,600 |
Last update: July 2019
[1] Only the canton charges the fee. Communes receive their share from the canton.
[2] Mean value
The citizenship fees are just the start. The benefits package included in the naturalization fee does not include the same thing everywhere. In Schwyz, for example, the naturalization course is included in the fee. Elsewhere, the corresponding courses are offered by external organizations and cost extra.
After completing the naturalization process and paying all fees, citizenship applicants do not automatically receive the red passport. Applying for a Swiss passport costs 145 francs. In the combination offer with the identity card, it is available for 158 francs (as at August 2023, postage included).
4. What is the procedure for naturalization in Switzerland?
You can apply for naturalization at the relevant office in your canton. If the canton or commune grants the application, all data will be sent to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) for review. If all formal and material requirements are met, the Cantonal Naturalization Authority receives the SEM naturalization permit.
The cantonal authority will then make the final decision on your naturalization. According to the law, it must do this within one year. As soon as your naturalization permit is legally validated by the decision of the cantonal authority, you will receive full Swiss citizenship. At the same time, you will also receive citizenship rights for the commune and canton.
Swiss citizenship gives you the right to vote in referendums or elections once naturalized. Younger immigrants should also be aware that there is compulsory military service in Switzerland.
This article was first published on 30.07.2019